Sankranti Telugu Releases 2026: A Big Test for THIS Director

The Sankranti season is always special for Telugu cinema, as it brings families to theatres in large numbers. Over the years, this festive window has helped many filmmakers score big hits. One director who has mastered this season is Anil Ravipudi. Known for delivering clean, entertaining films, Anil Ravipudi has built a strong reputation as a Sankranti specialist. Now, with another big release lined up, the big question is whether he can repeat his festival magic once again.

Anil Ravipudi has given back-to-back Sankranti blockbusters in recent years. Films like F2, Sarileru Neekevvaru, and Sankranti Ki Vastunnam turned out to be crowd-pleasers despite heavy competition. His strength lies in presenting simple stories filled with humor. Because of this, audiences trust his films during festive seasons.

This time, Anil Ravipudi is coming with Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu starring Megastar Chiranjeevi. The film is expected to be a full-fledged entertainer that caters to family audiences. Expectations are high, as this is Ravipudi’s first collaboration with Chiranjeevi. However, the road ahead is not easy.

The upcoming Sankranti season is packed with strong releases. Big-budget films like Prabhas’ The Raja Saab and Thalapathy Vijay’s farewell film Jana Nayagan are scheduled to release in the same week. Both movies are set to hit theatres a few days before Chiranjeevi’s film, giving them an early advantage at the box office.

Apart from these big films, even medium-budget movies are creating buzz. Ravi Teja’s Bhartha Mahasayalaku Wignyapthi and Naveen Polishetty’s Ananaganaga Oka Raju have impressed audiences with their teasers. Sharwanand’s family drama Nari Nari Naduma Murari is also expected to attract family viewers.

One surprising factor is that Anil Ravipudi has not yet started aggressive promotions for Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu. So far, only two songs and a title teaser have been released. With less than three weeks left for Sankranti, promotions will play a crucial role.

To stay ahead in this tough race, Anil Ravipudi needs to speed up marketing efforts and connect strongly with audiences. Whether he can repeat his Sankranti success once again will be known soon but expectations remain high.