Mahesh Babu's Khaleja re-releases to open with the highest number of shows; beats Gabbar Singh's records

The film was a moderate grosser during its theatrical release, however, it has now turned into a super hit at Mahesh Babu’s fan base.

Continuing the trend of hit film re-releases, 2010’s cult entertainer and Mahesh Babu-Trivikram Srinivas’s Khaleja makes a return to theatres soon, May 30 to be precise. The re-release is timed with the birth anniversary of Superstar Krishna and it must be an emotional moment for fans of the superstar family.

The film was a moderate grosser during its theatrical release, however, it has now turned into a super hit at Mahesh Babu’s fan base. The film is all about some amazing dialogues written by Trivikram Srinivas and how the film’s hero caught between those sharp dialogues, oddball sense of humour and a story that was far ahead of its time, the film has only seen its stock rise over the years – to a point where it has now become one of the most iconic films in Mahesh’s career.

Pre-sales of the re-release have been huge. If reports are to be believed, Khaleja is selling 13000 tickets per hour on BookMyShow and the figure is breaking all previous re-release records. To compare, Gabbar Singh was the previous holder with 5,500 tickets an hour, which means Khlaeja sold almost 3 times that amount.

The movie stars Mahesh Babu in a comedy role that is still considered by his fans and critics as one of his best to date. His portrayal along with Anushka Shetty as the heroine and Prakash Raj as the villain still attracts all walks of life even in 2025. Scenes from the film are now considered in pop culture and are often used in memes and viral content on social media.

Also read: Pawan Kalyan's Hari Hara Veera Mallu to hit the theaters on June 12; pre-sales in the US see a rise

The music of the film by Mani Sharma too remains popular among the masses, ensuring its timeless popularity. Now that his previous hits—Pokiri and Murari—rereleased and earned in the region of Rs 5–6 crore, it has set cash tills ringing for Khaleja.

As re-releases make a space for our old blockbusters in theatres in a new world, Khaleja’s resurgence is a party for fans and an endorsement of the timeless appeal that is Mahesh Babu’s career.