The festive season of Sankranti 2026 has delivered an unexpected and dramatic twist in Tollywood, leaving fans and industry insiders utterly divided! While Megastar Chiranjeevi has once again proven his unparalleled box office might, "Natural Star" Nani is also making waves with his upcoming projects, and Darling Prabhas finds himself entangled in a fiery social media debate surrounding his latest release.
**Chiranjeevi's Unstoppable Reign:**
The undisputed king of this Sankranti is undoubtedly Megastar Chiranjeevi. His highly anticipated film, "Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu," has emerged as the first bonafide blockbuster of 2026, creating a box office tsunami that has left competitors scrambling. The film has reportedly amassed a staggering ₹157 crore in its opening week, eclipsing Chiranjeevi's own 2019 hit, "Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy," to become his highest-grossing film worldwide in such a short span. This phenomenal success is a testament to Chiranjeevi's enduring appeal and his ability to draw massive crowds, proving that his box office clout remains firmly intact. Along with Chiranjeevi's triumph, other films like "Anaganaga Oka Raju" and "Nari Nari Naduma Murari" have also found success, reinforcing the belief that audiences are craving genuine, clean entertainment this festive season.
**Prabhas' 'The Raja Saab' Under Siege:**
In stark contrast to Chiranjeevi's celebratory run, "Darling" Prabhas' latest venture, "The Raja Saab," finds itself battling a relentless storm of criticism and online trolling. Despite the immense hype surrounding a Prabhas release, the horror-comedy is reportedly seeing a gradual drop in its daily earnings. What's more alarming for fans is the intensifying social media backlash. A recent YouTube analysis from January 15, 2026, highlighted how actors like Prabhas are facing warranted criticism for their film choices and performances, directly questioning the quality of "The Raja Saab" and dismissing claims of a "targeted PR attack" by rival camps.
The internet is abuzz with discussions, memes, and heated arguments. Loyal fans are struggling to defend the film's narrative and Prabhas' energy on screen, while critics and a section of the audience are vocally expressing their disappointment. The video specifically calls out the makers and Prabhas for allegedly refusing to accept the audience's rejection is due to the movie's quality, not some orchestrated conspiracy. This is a major talking point in Tollywood, with many questioning if "The Raja Saab" signifies a need for introspection regarding script selection and on-screen presence for the 'Pan-India Star'.
**Nani's Promising Future:**
Amidst these box office battles, "Natural Star" Nani continues to quietly build anticipation for his upcoming films in 2026. His action thriller "Paradise," directed by Srikanth Odela, is slated for a March 26, 2026 release and has already secured a Netflix deal for its post-theatrical streaming across multiple languages. Nani is also set to team up with director Sujeeth for another project later in the year. While not mired in current controversy, Nani's consistent performance and strategic film choices are keeping him firmly in the trending conversations.
This Sankranti has truly been a rollercoaster for Telugu cinema. While Chiranjeevi celebrates a monumental comeback, Prabhas faces a critical juncture in his career amidst a volatile social media landscape. The coming weeks will reveal if "The Raja Saab" can recover its footing, or if the online inferno will leave a lasting impact on its box office journey.
