BREAKING: Ratings go dark, prices in play, and Chiranjeevi’s Sankranti biggie charges ahead
The Sankranti box office just turned into a contact sport. We can confirm a court order has temporarily blocked audience ratings for Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu on a major ticketing app, even as the Telangana High Court deferred a challenge to a short-term ticket price hike. All this lands a day before Chiranjeevi’s family entertainer opens tomorrow. The frenzy is real, the stakes are high, and the catchphrase on everyone’s lips is simple. Wow, wow, why not?
The film, the festival, the moment
This is a classic Telugu festival package. Director Anil Ravipudi aims for an action-comedy ride that families can cheer for together. Chiranjeevi leads from the front, with Nayanthara bringing star power and steel. There is talk of a sweet cameo by Victory Venkatesh. Sankranti is the perfect stage for a crowd pleaser, and this film wants the front rows singing.
Nayanthara made a rare promotional appearance this week. It is a clear show of belief in the film, and it matters. When a reserved star steps out, audiences take notice. The music is upbeat, the dances are big, and the trailer has set new marks for a senior hero. That confirmed line, “Wow, wow, why not?”, is ready to ring across single screens and multiplex halls.
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Release is January 12, Sankranti weekend. Audience ratings on a major ticketing app are disabled today after a court order.
Ratings blocked, reaction swift
Here is what changed the conversation today. A court-ordered block has turned off user ratings for the film on a leading booking platform. That switch matters on day one. It can shape casual interest, and it can sway late buyers. Vijay Deverakonda weighed in, calling the move both happy and sad. He has seen rating wars before, and he is not alone.
The truth is simple. The first wave now rests on real-time turnout and pure word of mouth. We will be watching theaters, not dashboards. Show counts, occupancy, repeat viewing, that is where the story will be written in the first 48 hours.
The mood in the lines
Fans lining up for first shows tell us they want noise, heart, and Megastar swagger. They want a communal watch. They want that punchline to land. The ratings blackout may even add curiosity. It removes one crutch, and it sends everyone back to the big screen.
Ticket price twist, hearing deferred
On pricing, the drama is still live. The Telangana High Court has pushed the hearing on a petition that challenges the government’s memo allowing a 7 day hike. The memo permits an increase of up to 50 rupees in single screens, and up to 100 rupees in multiplexes. The new date is January 19. That means Sankranti will play out under the temporary window.
Exhibitors tell us the cushion helps with festival scale, and with big-screen showmanship. Families are checking values, timings, and seats. Distributors expect strong footing through Monday, if walk-ins hold.
Check your show price before you pay, and compare nearby screens. The temporary hike window is active until the court convenes on January 19.
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Overseas surge, festive fire
The North America story is already loud. We are tracking around 605,000 dollars in pre-sales, with about 570,000 dollars from the United States alone. A million dollar opening is within swing if Saturday matinees pop. That would be Chiranjeevi’s second time in that club, and a fresh signal of Telugu cinema’s global pull.
Family entertainers travel well during long weekends, and this one is built for groups. Clean humor, mass moments, and a lead pair with history. Ravipudi knows rhythm. He wants laughs to tip into applause, and then back into plot. If the interval block hits, night shows will swell.
- What we are seeing right now:
- Early morning shows are being added in key centers.
- Cutouts and confetti teams are set across Telangana and Andhra.
- Multiplexes are juggling premium formats for prime time.
- Overseas chains are opening more late shows after strong pickups.
The line that hooks
Chiranjeevi confirmed the catchphrase is in the film. It sounds simple, and that is why it pops. It is a cue for claps, a meme in the making, and a rally cry for fans. Expect it to echo across foyers and parking lots as people step out smiling.
The bottom line
Legal orders, platform switches, and festival pricing have collided with one of the season’s biggest launches. Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu now steps onto the stage with the lights hotter than ever. Ratings are off, yet the crowd is louder. Prices are higher in parts, yet demand is steady. The film releases tomorrow. The festival is waiting. The Megastar is ready. The only question left is the one the movie keeps asking. Wow, wow, why not?
