LagerCinema EXCLUSIVE: The festive cheer of Sankranti 2026 is slowly fading for Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja, as his latest cinematic offering, "Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi" (BMW), finds itself entangled in a precarious box office battle. While Megastar Chiranjeevi's "Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu" is dominating headlines with its record-breaking success, Ravi Teja's film is struggling to stay afloat, sparking widespread concern among fans and industry insiders alike.
Released on January 13, 2026, "Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi," directed by Kishore Tirumala and starring Ashika Ranganath and Dimple Hayati as the female leads, was anticipated to be a much-needed comeback for the actor known for his energetic performances and comedic timing. However, initial reports indicate a "slower-than-expected start" and "mixed reactions" from audiences and critics. The film, a romantic comedy, opened to "mixed to decent reviews" but failed to generate substantial buzz or footfalls at the ticket counters, especially when pitted against the formidable Sankranti competition.
Sources reveal that the worldwide theatrical rights for "Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi" were valued at ₹20 crore. Yet, in its crucial first two days, the film managed to recover only about 20% of this cost, collecting a meager ₹4 crore share worldwide. By day four, the film's estimated net collection in India stood at an underwhelming ₹9.1 crore. To achieve breakeven and enter the safe zone, "Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi" needs to rake in approximately ₹40 crore net at the Indian box office, a figure that industry analysts now deem "out of reach" given its current trajectory.
This dismal performance is particularly disheartening considering Ravi Teja's past successes during the Sankranti season. Films like "Krishna" (2008), "Mirapakay" (2011), and "Krack" (2021) were massive Sankranti winners, and he even played a pivotal role in Chiranjeevi's 2023 Sankranti hit, "Waltair Veerayya." The actor had reportedly "agreed to reduce his remuneration" to ensure BMW's release, signaling his high hopes for the project.
The real elephant in the room, say critics and trade pundits, is Ravi Teja's alarming streak of box office duds. "Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi" is poised to become his *sixth consecutive failure* after "Waltair Veerayya." His recent filmography includes disappointing outings like "Ravanasura," "Tiger Nageswara Rao," "Eagle," "Mr. Bachchan," and "Mass Jathara." This string of underperformers has undeniably "affected the film's performance at the box office," leading to lower-than-expected theatre footfalls despite "decent reviews and positive word of mouth" in some circles.
Adding a curious twist to the narrative, Ravi Teja, at a recent success meet held in Hyderabad, congratulated producer Sudhakar Cherukuri on the *success* of "Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi." He confidently stated, "I strongly believe Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi will have a long run," contrasting it with his previous "disappointing" film, "Ramarao On Duty." While his optimism is commendable, the stark reality of the box office numbers paints a different picture, leaving fans and film lovers perplexed.
Social media is abuzz with discussions. While some appreciate Ravi Teja's "effortless performance" and witty one-liners in a middle-class husband's role, reminiscent of his vintage hits, the overall sentiment is one of concern for the Mass Maharaja's career trajectory. Will "Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi" somehow defy the odds and find its audience in the coming days, or will it cement Ravi Teja's reputation as a fading star? The Telugu film industry, and indeed his ardent fan base, are waiting with bated breath to see if their beloved Mass Maharaja can reclaim his lost glory.
