Mahesh Babu Fans Slammed by Producer C Kalyan for ‘Killing’ Khaleja at the Box Office

Superstar Mahesh Babu‘s cult film Khaleja, directed by Trivikram Srinivas, is all set to return to theatres with a grand worldwide re-release on May 30, 2025, coinciding with Superstar Krishna’s birthday. The film has already created a storm with record-breaking advance bookings that crossed Rs 5 crore.

While fans eagerly await this comeback, co-producer C Kalyan has shocked everyone by blaming Mahesh Babu’s own fans for the film’s failure at the box office back in 2010.

C Kalyan Says Mahesh Babu Fans Crashed Khaleja’s Box Office Run

During a recent press event at the Film Nagar Cultural Centre in Hyderabad, C Kalyan made a bold statement. He said Mahesh Babu’s fans had extremely high expectations when Khaleja released on October 7, 2010. Since the film featured a different tone and showcased Mahesh’s comic acting, far from his usual intense roles, many fans couldn’t accept the change.

He recalled the midnight premiere show in Vijayawada, where fans shouted and booed throughout the screening. “They came drunk and created chaos inside the theatre. They didn’t let others enjoy the movie,” Kalyan said. He added, “After the show, many fans called me and director Trivikram to abuse us. They screamed, asking if we even knew how to make a film.”

“They Abused Us Then, But Now They Praise Us” – Kalyan Hits Back

Kalyan expressed disappointment over how the same fans who rejected the film earlier have now turned into its biggest supporters. “Back then, they spread negativity and labeled the film a disaster. Now, they praise it and can’t wait to watch it again,” he said. “I feel this film was always ahead of its time. Maybe it waited 15 years for people to truly understand and love it.”

Khaleja’s Re-Release Turns Into a Festival for Fans

The movie features Anushka Shetty, Prakash Raj, Sunil, Brahmanandam, and Ali in major roles. Mani Sharma’s music continues to remain popular among fans. With the massive hype and early box office response, trade analysts predict that the re-release could collect more than Rs 10 crore, a rare feat for a re-released film.

Originally made on a Rs 32 crore budget, the film had lost nearly Rs 24 crore due to poor performance during its original release. However, the current fan response shows that Khaleja might finally receive the recognition it missed years ago.

As the re-release wave in Telugu cinema grows stronger, Khaleja stands as a perfect example that some films take time to shine, but they shine bright when they do.

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