Directed by Bobby Kolli, this film was the season's undisputed winner. It marked the first time Shruti Haasan starred opposite Chiranjeevi. A high-octane "out-and-out mass action entertainer," it grossed approximately ₹236 crore worldwide, cementing its status as a massive blockbuster. Vaarasudu (Released: Jan 11/14, 2023) Cast: Thalapathy Vijay and Rashmika Mandanna .
It was a celebration of the "Vintage Chiranjeevi." The film wasn't trying to be a masterpiece of logic; it was a festival meal. The highlight, however, was the screen-sharing between Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja. Their combination scenes, specifically the song and the pre-climax sequences, sent audiences into a frenzy. It emerged as the Sankranthi winner, proving that audiences still crave unadulterated mass entertainment.
: Undisputed Sankranthi Winner / Blockbuster
The production house pulled off the rare feat of producing both Waltair Veerayya and Veera Simha Reddy , effectively controlling the Telugu box office for the week. Sankranthi Release Telugu Movies 2023
In a sea of action-heavy blockbusters, this film was the quiet, breezy boat. It was the only romantic family drama released during Sankranthi 2023. Starring Santosh Shoban and Priya Bhavani Shankar, it dealt with the struggles of a modern couple navigating unemployment and marriage.
+---------------------+-------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+ | Movie Title | Primary Star | Director | Festive Box Office Role | +---------------------+-------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+ | Waltair Veerayya | Chiranjeevi | Bobby Kolli | Mega Mass Blockbuster | | Veera Simha Reddy | N. Balakrishna | Gopichand Malineni | Faction Action Hit | | Vaarasudu / Varisu | Thalapathy Vijay | Vamshi Paidipally | Bilingual Family Drama | | Tegimpu / Thunivu | Ajith Kumar | H. Vinoth | Action Heist Dub | +---------------------+-------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+ 3. Vaarasudu (Varisu) : January 14, 2023 (Telugu Version)
Originally a Tamil family entertainer, its Telugu release was slightly delayed to give priority to the direct Telugu films. It performed steadily due to Vijay’s growing popularity in the Telugu states. (Telugu Dub of Thunivu) Release Date: January 11, 2023 Starring: Ajith Kumar, Manju Warrier Director: H. Vinoth Directed by Bobby Kolli, this film was the
Nandamuri Balakrishna kicked off the festival early with Veera Simha Reddy, a factionist action drama deeply rooted in the Rayalaseema aesthetic. Balakrishna shined in a dual role, portraying both an honorable, larger-than-life faction leader and his sophisticated son. The film packed a heavy punch with roaring dialogues, gravity-defying action sequences, and a powerful performance by Varalaxmi Sarathkumar as the antagonist. Powered by Thaman S’s thumping background score, it broke several opening-day records for Balakrishna. The Dubbed Contenders: Tamil Superstars in Telugu States
: Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan, Catherine Tresa Director : Bobby Kolli (K. S. Ravindra) Production House : Mythri Movie Makers
Here are some Telugu movies released in 2023 during the Sankranti festival: Vaarasudu (Released: Jan 11/14, 2023) Cast: Thalapathy Vijay
Released a day earlier on January 12, the film leaned heavily into Balakrishna’s "mass" appeal with a dual-role narrative centered on family vendettas and factionalism. While it received more negative critical reception than its competitor, it was still a major commercial success, earning about ₹134 crore worldwide and setting a personal record for Balakrishna's highest opening day. Bilingual Influence and Supporting Releases
This film was the third unofficial heavyweight. A family drama about a younger son fixing a broken business family, Vaarasudu relied heavily on Vijay’s star power. In Telugu states, it performed extremely well in urban centers (Hyderabad, Vizag) but slightly underperformed in rural areas compared to Veera Simha Reddy .
This particular year was a landmark for Tollywood because it marked the first time in years that the "Big Two"—Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna—directly competed during the same festival window with movies produced by the same banner, Mythri Movie Makers . The success of these films proved that traditional cinema remains a powerhouse for the Telugu box office during festive seasons. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Share public link