Naveen Polishetty’s latest Telugu rom-com, “Anaganaga Oka Raju,” directed by Maari Selvaraj, stormed theaters on Sankranti, raking in a staggering ₹22 crore gross worldwide on its opening day. Trade analysts call it a blockbuster opener, fueled by Polishetty’s comic timing and the film’s quirky fantasy elements.
The movie, featuring Meenakshi Chaudhary, Saanve Megghana, and Nassar, follows a commoner turned king in a hilarious twist. Early reports from Sacnilk and 123telugu show ₹18 crore from India (₹15 crore net) and ₹4 crore overseas, mainly from US diaspora hubs. High occupancy in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana multiplexes, around 70-80%, drove the numbers despite competition from “The Raja Saab” and “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.”
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) are buzzing: “#AnaganagaOkaRaju Day 1 storm! Naveen’s magic again!” one user posted. Critics praise the first half’s laughs but note a predictable second act, averaging 3/5 ratings. Gulte highlights “Polishetty’s energetic performance” as the standout.
This marks Polishetty’s fourth consecutive blockbuster after “Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya,” “Jathi Ratnalu,” and “Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty.” Analysts predict it could surpass “Jathi Ratnalu’s” ₹40 crore lifetime, potentially his biggest hit yet, with strong word-of-mouth amid holidays.
Produced on an ₹8 crore budget, pre-release deals including Netflix OTT rights ensure profitability. As Sankranti collections roll in, “Anaganaga Oka Raju” eyes ₹100 crore club entry, cementing Polishetty as Tollywood’s comedy king.
