Daaku Maharaaj, starring Tollywood legend Nandamuri Balakrishna (NBK), has taken the silver screen by storm with its high-octane action and gripping storyline. Directed by Bobby Kolli, the film opened to massive fanfare on January 12, recording stellar box office numbers that solidify NBK’s dominance in festive releases.
Daaku Maharaaj Day 1 Box Office Success
The film witnessed an explosive opening, raking in ₹22–24 crore on its debut day. This marks a significant leap from NBK’s last release, Bhagavanth Kesari, which had an opening of ₹16.6 crore. Although Daaku Maharaaj slightly trails NBK’s 2023 Sankranti hit Veera Simha Reddy (₹33.6 crore on Day 1), the 35% improvement over his previous outing indicates a strong resurgence for the veteran actor.
NBK’s Growing Legacy
On its first day alone, Daaku Maharaaj outperformed the lifetime collections of Bhagavanth Kesari. With this release, NBK continues to solidify his legacy as a box office powerhouse, with audiences eagerly flocking to cinemas to celebrate the festival with their beloved star.
Comparisons with Tollywood’s Recent Hits
The movie’s opening day figures surpass those of HanuMan, Tollywood’s recent Sankranti release, by 80%. HanuMan opened at ₹12.5 crore and went on to collect ₹201 crore in its lifetime. While Daaku Maharaaj has yet to prove its staying power, its festive momentum and audience enthusiasm suggest it could match or exceed this benchmark.
However, the film faces stiff competition from Guntur Kaaram, Mahesh Babu’s 2024 Sankranti release, which recorded a ₹42 crore opening and finished with ₹127 crore. The Sankranti box office battle will be closely watched as these titans of Tollywood compete for the top spot.
The NBK Effect
NBK’s charismatic performance, supported by a stellar cast including Urvashi Rautela, Pragya Jaiswal, and Bobby Deol, has created a winning formula. The film’s electrifying soundtrack by Thaman adds to its appeal, ensuring a memorable cinematic experience for fans.
With Sankranti week in full swing, Daaku Maharaaj is poised to achieve even greater heights. Will NBK’s latest release break further records and become a landmark in his career? Only time will tell.