Why The Raja Saab Stands Apart in the Crowded Sankranthi 2026 Lineup
Sankranthi 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most crowded festive seasons in recent years. Major Telugu releases such as The Raja Saab, Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu, Bharta Mahasayulaku Wygnapti, Nari Nari Naduma Murari, and Anaganaga Oka Raju are lined up for release. Adding to the competition, Tamil films Jananayagan and Parasakthi are also hitting theatres during the same festive window.
Interestingly, most Telugu films arriving this Sankranthi fall under the family entertainer category, making it a direct clash for the same section of the audience.
Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu (MSVPG) is a clean family entertainer with Megastar Chiranjeevi playing an age-appropriate role as a father of two. Director Anil Ravipudi has repeatedly stated that family audiences are the primary target, and the film is designed to appeal strongly to them. Venkatesh appears in an extended cameo, adding further value to the project.
After the failure of Mass Jathara, Ravi Teja is making a quick comeback with Bharta Mahasayulaku Wygnapti (BMW), another family-oriented film. From the glimpse, the story seems to revolve around the problems faced by husbands in everyday life. Ashika Ranganath and Dimple Hayati play the female leads, and the film is clearly aimed at family viewers.
Nari Nari Naduma Murari sees Sharwanand returning to his comfort zone. He has found consistent success with family entertainers during Sankranthi, and this film follows a familiar setup, seemingly revolving around a man caught between two women. Whether it manages to engage the festive audience once again remains to be seen.
Anaganaga Oka Raju stars Naveen Polishetty, who has built a strong image with entertaining films. He is coming to Sankranthi with another light-hearted entertainer, and the first single has already generated good buzz. Naveen is actively promoting the film, showcasing his trademark energy.
Standing apart from the rest is The Raja Saab, the only Telugu film in the lineup that is not a typical family drama. Starring Prabhas and directed by Maruthi, the film is a horror-comedy. Maruthi is known for his strong grip on comedy, and Prabhas will be seen in a vintage, lighter avatar. With Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar as the female leads, The Raja Saab has the potential to attract all sections of the audience, including families, making it the most distinct release of Sankranthi 2026.