The upcoming Telugu action entertainer Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan, is gearing up for its theatrical release on March 19. Despite facing competition from Dhurandhar 2 The Revenge, the film is expected to open well at the Indian box office thanks to the massive popularity of the Power Star.
Even though the pre-release buzz is comparatively lower than Pawan Kalyan’s previous project They Call Him OG, trade expectations suggest the film could still secure a place among the top three Tollywood openers of 2026.
Aiming To Challenge The Raja Saab’s Pre-Sales Record
At present, The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas, holds the record for the highest Day 1 pre-sales in Tollywood in 2026. The film reportedly generated around ₹15.31 crore gross through opening-day advance bookings at the Indian box office.
That figure was achieved largely due to Prabhas’ star power, even though the film’s promotional content received mixed responses. Now, industry watchers are keen to see whether Pawan Kalyan can surpass this mark with Ustaad Bhagat Singh.
Clash With Dhurandhar 2 Could Impact Collections
In a solo release scenario, trade analysts believe Ustaad Bhagat Singh could have targeted an opening of ₹50 crore or more at the Indian box office. However, the film’s business potential may be somewhat affected due to its clash with Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge.
Still, advance bookings could play a crucial role in determining the film’s opening day performance. With ticket price hikes, strong show counts in Telugu markets, and the front-loaded nature of star-driven films, the target of beating The Raja Saab’s pre-sales record remains achievable.
Comparison With Pawan Kalyan’s Last Release
Pawan Kalyan’s previous film They Call Him OG recorded over ₹40 crore gross in Day 1 pre-sales at the Indian box office. However, that film enjoyed significantly higher hype and a solo release window, which helped it generate massive advance booking numbers.
In comparison, Ustaad Bhagat Singh currently faces a tougher challenge, as the buzz has not reached the same level. Nevertheless, the actor’s massive fan following could still drive strong last-minute bookings.
About The Film
Ustaad Bhagat Singh is directed by Harish Shankar and produced by Naveen Yerneni and Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar under the banner of Mythri Movie Makers.
The film reportedly carries a production budget of around ₹150 crore and features Sreeleela, Raashii Khanna, and R. Parthiban in key roles alongside Pawan Kalyan.
With just a few days left before release, the coming days of advance booking will determine whether the film can challenge The Raja Saab’s pre-sales record and deliver one of the biggest openings for Tollywood in 2026.
