Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan along with Sreeleela and Raashii Khanna, has taken a decent start at the Indian box office. According to early trends, the film has earned around ₹32–35 crore net on its opening day. This translates to a gross collection of approximately ₹37.76–41.3 crore.
Despite facing competition from Dhurandhar 2, the film has managed to attract a good number of audiences, especially in the Telugu-speaking regions.
Mixed Buzz But Strong Star Power Helps
The action entertainer had been in production for a long time and finally hit theatres after much anticipation. However, unlike Pawan Kalyan’s earlier film OG, this one opened with relatively underwhelming buzz.
Even with mixed reviews and word-of-mouth, Pawan Kalyan’s massive fan following played a key role in ensuring a strong opening. The film also received a boost due to the festive occasion of Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which helped increase footfall in theatres.
Day 1 Collection Falls Slightly Below Expectations
Considering the star power of Pawan Kalyan, the opening figures might seem slightly lower than expectations. However, when viewed independently, the numbers still indicate a solid start.
Trade experts believe that the presence of Dhurandhar 2 in cinemas impacted the overall business. Without this competition, the film could have potentially delivered even higher numbers on day one.
3rd Biggest Tollywood Opening of 2026
With an estimated ₹32–35 crore net collection, Ustaad Bhagat Singh has secured the third biggest opening for a Tollywood film in 2026.
Here’s a look at the top Tollywood openers of 2026 in India (net collections):
- The Raja Saab – ₹62.9 crore
- Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu – ₹41.6 crore
- Ustaad Bhagat Singh – ₹32–35 crore
- Anaganaga Oka Raju – ₹5.5 crore
The film currently stands behind Prabhas starrer The Raja Saab and Chiranjeevi starrer Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.
Can the Film Sustain Its Momentum?
While the opening day numbers are promising, the real test for Ustaad Bhagat Singh begins over the weekend. Sustaining momentum will depend on audience response and box office trends in the coming days.
If word-of-mouth improves, the film has the potential to perform well despite strong competition and initial mixed reactions.
