Mahesh Babu‘s cult classic Khaleja 4K smashes records with ₹10.10 crore worldwide in three days, outshining other Telugu re-releases.
In a Nutshell
• Khaleja Box Office Day 3
• Reasons Behind Khaleja’s Trending
• Another Major Two Records Created by Khaleja
• Babu’s Stardom at Its Peak
• Conclusion
The re-release of Khaleja in 4K, starring Tollywood heartthrob Mahesh Babu, has swept the box office, proving that cinematic treasures never become outdated. Released in 2010, this action-comedy film by Trivikram Srinivas did not receive the recognition it deserved at the time.
However, its re-release in 4K remastered form on May 30, 2025, has rewritten history, mesmerizing fans and raising the bar for Telugu cinema. On its third day, Khaleja 4K broke records yet again, becoming a giant hit in the trend of re-releases.
Let us dive into the Day 3 box office collections and explore why this movie is making waves.
Day 3 Box Office Collection: Steadily on the Rise
On its third day, Khaleja 4K collected approximately ₹1.04 crore from the Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (AP-TG), with the region’s three-day overall collections standing at ₹8.20 crore gross. The AP-TG third-day collections are as follows and indicate the movie’s strong hold:
Nizam: ₹5.01 crore (gross total for three days)
Ceeded: ₹0.53 crore (cumulative)
Andhra: ₹2.66 crore (cumulative)
The movie’s performance was not limited to the Telugu states. The film grossed ₹0.70 crore from Karnataka and the rest of India (KA+ROI) and a staggering ₹1.20 crore from the overseas market, totaling ₹10.10 crore gross in three days.
This figure also includes special premiere shows on May 29, 2025, which added extra momentum to the film.
Day 3’s ₹1.04 crore in AP-TG is particularly notable, as it has been hailed as an all-time record Day 3 collection for a re-release in the Telugu Film Industry (TFI).
Despite a natural drop from the opening day’s ₹5.32 crore and Day 2’s ₹1.84 crore, the movie recorded steady footfalls as masses thronged theaters to witness the magic of Mahesh Babu’s suave performance as Raju, the cabbie-turned-hero. The 4K remaster and Dolby Atmos sound have elevated the experience, making it feel like a new release for both new and old fans.
Why Khaleja Continues to Shine
Khaleja is the tale of Raju, a free-spirited taxi driver chosen by fate to be the much-awaited messiah of a plague-ridden village. The movie blends action-adventure, comedy, and socio-political satire, dominated by the suave charm of Mahesh Babu and the scintillating dialogues of Trivikram Srinivas.
While it underperformed at the box office in 2010, the film gained a cult following in subsequent years through TV broadcasts and online streaming. Its re-release has capitalized on this nostalgia, along with the buzz surrounding Mahesh Babu’s upcoming international project with SS Rajamouli.
The film’s popularity has also been boosted by its star cast, including heroine Anushka Shetty and supporting actors like Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh, Sunil, and Ali. The hit songs by Mani Sharma, now remastered for the 4K version, have further fueled the buzz, with audiences enjoying the classic songs and dialogues on the big screen.
Social media platforms are abuzz with videos of fans pouring water over cardboard cutouts and even carrying props like snakes to replicate memorable moments, attesting to the unrivaled hype surrounding Khaleja.
Two Key Records Broken by Khaleja 4K
The re-release of Khaleja 4K not only shattered box office records but also set new benchmarks in ticket sales and industry success.
Here are the two major records:
(1) Highest-Grossing Telugu Re-Release of All Time: With a global gross collection of ₹10.10 crore in just three days, Khaleja 4K has surpassed every other Telugu re-release, including Mahesh Babu’s own Murari 4K (₹8.90 crore), Pawan Kalyan‘s Gabbar Singh 4K (₹8.01 crore), and others like Kushi (₹7.46 crore) and Arya 2 (₹6.75 crore).
This makes Khaleja 4K the undisputed Telugu re-release champion, showcasing its enduring popularity and the sheer magnitude of Mahesh Babu’s star power.
(2) Mahesh Babu: The Sole Star with Two Re-Releases Crossing 250K Tickets on BookMyShow: Khaleja 4K sold over 258,000 tickets on BookMyShow, matching the record of Murari 4K, another Mahesh Babu film.
This places Mahesh Babu in the unique position of being the only actor in Tollywood with two re-release films crossing the 250K ticket mark on the platform.
For context, other top re-releases like Gabbar Singh 4K (210K), Businessman 4K (190K), and Arya 2 (179K) fall short. This achievement underscores the unmatched popularity of Mahesh Babu and the dedication of his fans.
These figures highlight the Khaleja 4K phenomenon, proving that a well-executed re-release can outperform even new releases at the box office.
Mahesh Babu’s Unparalleled Stardom
Mahesh Babu’s stardom is legendary, and the re-release of Khaleja 4K is a testament to his timeless popularity. Nicknamed the “Superstar” of Tollywood, Mahesh Babu boasts an enormous, cross-generational fan base that spans continents.
His ability to draw audiences to a 15-year-old film that was a box office failure is a tribute to his enduring appeal and charisma. Fans have transformed cinemas into celebration hubs, with social media filled with images of packed theaters, enthusiastic audiences, and creative fan tributes, such as reenacting scenes.
It is Mahesh Babu’s versatility and charm that set him apart. Whether playing an urbane cab driver in Khaleja or a tough action hero in films like Pokiri or Srimanthudu, he brings unique intensity and warmth to his characters.
His upcoming film with SS Rajamouli, featuring stars like Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran, has only heightened expectations for his legacy, and the re-release of Khaleja serves as a perfect teaser for what’s to come.
Posts on X have called him a “U.S. ruler” and praised his “peak stardom,” with Khaleja 4K outperforming other re-releases like Magadheera in North America. Mahesh Babu’s ability to generate such fervor, both in India and abroad, cements his place as a true icon of Indian cinema.
Conclusion
Khaleja 4K’s triumph is part of a larger trend in Tollywood, where re-releases of cult classics are outperforming some recent releases. Other films like Pokiri, Okkadu, and Businessman have also had successful re-runs, but Khaleja has set a new standard. Its ₹10.10 crore worldwide gross in just three days is remarkable, especially when compared to recent releases like Bhairavam, which earned only ₹2.60 crore on its opening day.
The re-release phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down, with Mahesh Babu’s Athadu slated for re-release on August 9, 2025, coinciding with his birthday. Overall, Khaleja 4K’s third-day haul of ₹1.04 crore in AP-TG and a global total of ₹10.10 crore in three days have made it a record-breaking re-release.
By becoming the highest-grossing Telugu re-release and with Mahesh Babu achieving a rare double on BookMyShow ticket sales, the film has set new benchmarks for what a re-release can achieve.
As fans continue to celebrate this cult classic, it’s evident that Mahesh Babu’s star power and Khaleja’s timeless appeal are a match made in cinematic heaven.
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Disclaimer: Box Office Collection data & Boom My Show Advance Booking Data for Re Release movies is compiled from various sources and by my own research. These data can be approximate or may have huge difference from producer figure or trade official’s and I do not make any claims about the authenticity of the data. Accordingly, I don’t provides no guarantees, implied warranties, or assurances of any kind, and will not be responsible for any interpretation made or used by the recipient of the information and data mentioned above.
Please note that these numbers are based on the real-time data and updates available trade websites and might be subject to slight variations in later, more finalized reports
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