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On its first day of release, Ustaad Bhagat Singh managed to secure Rs 31.50 crore in net collections (India business). The film played across a staggering 4,607 shows nationwide, with the majority concentrated in the Telugu states.

Ustaad Bhagat Singh gross collections

When accounting for total ticket sales before taxes and levies, the film’s gross collections stood at Rs 37.17 crore on Day 1 (March 19). High occupancy was reported in mass circuits across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, it remains to be seen whether the film will sustain this momentum over the crucial Friday–Sunday weekend. The opening numbers were strong despite mixed reviews and competition from Dhurandhar 2, largely due to the Ugadi festive season. However, the film falls short when compared to They Call Him OG, Pawan Kalyan’s previous release, which grossed Rs 145 crore worldwide on its opening day.

Director Harish Shankar exudes confidence

At a post-release press meet on Thursday, director Harish Shankar expressed confidence that Ustaad Bhagat Singh will witness a surge in collections in the coming days. Producer Y. Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers stated that distributors across territories are expected to achieve breakeven by Sunday (Day 4).

The film was made on a relatively modest budget for a Pawan Kalyan starrer, with compact production schedules. Producer Naveen Yerneni had earlier revealed that the actor did not charge an upfront fee, helping keep costs under control. Ustaad Bhagat Singh also stars Raashii Khanna and Sreeleela, with the latter playing a more prominent role. R. Parthiban essays the antagonist Nalla Nagappa, a ruthless politician aspiring to become the Chief Minister of Telangana. Rao Ramesh and others appear in supporting roles. Thaman has composed the background score, while Devi Sri Prasad has handled the songs.

Also Read: Ustaad Bhagat Singh Review: Pawan Kalyan Tries to Salvage a Regular Masala Potboiler

In a surprising turn of events for the Indian film industry, the theatrical release of the Oscar-nominated feature The Voice of Hind Rajab has been stalled by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The move, which has drawn international attention through a recent report by Variety, is reportedly based on concerns regarding India’s diplomatic relationship with Israel. Directed by the acclaimed Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the film tells the true story of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was trapped in a car under fire in Gaza. The docudrama recreates her final hours using the actual audio of her desperate phone calls to emergency operators. While the film has earned global praise, including a 20-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival where it won the Silver Lion, its journey to Indian screens has hit a major roadblock.

Manoj Nandwana, head of the Mumbai-based Jai Viratra Entertainment and the film’s local distributor, shared the details of the censorship struggle. He submitted the film to the CBFC in February, hoping for a March 6 release to coincide with the buzz surrounding the Academy Awards on March 16. However, the certification was never granted. Nandwana revealed that a member of the censor board informally told him that releasing the film would break up the India-Israel relationship. The distributor expressed his frustration with this reasoning, saying, “I told them: the India-Israel relationship is so strong that it’s idiotic to think this movie will break it.” He pointed out that the film has already been released in the U.S., U.K., Italy, and France – all countries that maintain strong ties with Israel – yet “they want to censor it anyway.”

This delay places The Voice of Hind Rajab alongside other recent films like Santosh and Punjab 95, which have also faced hurdles in India due to their politically sensitive themes. For now, Indian audiences remain waiting to see if this story will ever make it to the big screen.

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