80% Recovery Even Before Release - A Rare Feat

With actor Aadi Saikumar’s Shambhala all set for a grand theatrical release next week on December 25th, the makers of the film are exuding strong confidence about the film’s box office prospects. While the film is being positioned as a different horror entertainer blended with devotional elements with suspense and emotion, here’s another interesting catch.

“With the business already done, we are in a safe zone. Nearly 80% of the recovery has come through satellite and OTT rights, and the remaining will come from theatres. We are confident the film will move into profits,”, the film’s producers, Rajashekhar Annabhimoju and Mahidhar Reddy, revealed. That's a rare feat these days for Telugu films. They stated that the core idea of the film has made them instantly back the project. Though they have planned a different film with Aadi initially, Shambhala changed their plans completely.

Speaking about the film’s scale, the producers admitted that the budget grew organically. “We didn’t expect the film to reach this level of attention initially. We started with a modest budget but later increased it to ensure better production quality because we strongly believed in the story,” they explained. That belief, they say, has already paid off.

The makers also expressed confidence in the film’s market reach, noting Aadi’s reach beyond the Telugu states. “Shambhala received strong offers. We are planning a Hindi theatrical release within a week after the Telugu version,” they confirmed. They were equally appreciative of director Ugandhar Muni, stating, “His short-making skills and storytelling impressed us. After the first two schedules, the entire team felt confident. The output on the big screen is very impressive.”

On the film’s biggest strength, the producers were clear: “Content-wise, Shambhala is completely different. There is no comparison with any other film. The story itself is our biggest strength.” They also highlighted Sricharan Pakala’s music as a major asset, saying his background score “perfectly complements the visuals and suits the genre.”

Explaining the title, they added, “After Kalki, the word Shambhala became familiar to many. What Shambhala is, what it signifies, and its relevance are all explored in this film.” While the film has a complete ending, they hinted at future possibilities, saying there is “a small lead that can spark curiosity for a sequel.”

With OTT and satellite rights already closed, Mythri Movie Makers releasing the film, and strong buzz generated by the teaser and trailer, Shambhala is heading into its December 25 release with solid momentum—and producers who are clearly backing their content with confidence.