Prabhas and Kajal Aggarwal’s 2010 film, Darling, has made a notable return to theatres after 16 years since its original release. The 4K remastered version debuted on April 23 and has garnered a substantial response at the box office. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film sold over 2 lakh tickets, accumulating Rs 7.59 crore globally on its first day.

This opening day total positions Darling as the second-largest performer among Telugu re-releases. The only re-release to surpass it is Baahubali: The Epic, which raked in Rs 19.65 crore on its opening day.

The film’s successful debut has reignited interest in Darling, a title that significantly contributed to shaping Prabhas’s image. The positive reception indicates a strong and sustained audience interest in his earlier works, particularly in this upgraded 4K format.

International Reception and Box Office Stats

The international reception for Darling has also been promising. As reported by Venky Box Office, the film grossed $32,093 on its opening day overseas. Notably, North America alone accounted for $20,962 from 82 locations, while the United Kingdom contributed £7,708, and Australia generated approximately A$1,000.

Advance bookings reflected a positive trend as well, with nearly 195,000 tickets sold prior to the release, leading to a pre-release collection of Rs 2.65 crore in India. The strong demand was evident on opening day, particularly in Hyderabad, which recorded 47 per cent occupancy across theatres.

Darling’s collection has surpassed that of recent Telugu re-releases such as Gabbar Singh 4K and Khaleja 4K in terms of opening-day earnings. The rising trend of re-releases has been prominent since early 2024, attracting significant audience interest in previously successful titles.

Comparative Analysis with Other Telugu Re-Releases

Darling’s performance is noteworthy, especially as it has overtaken Pawan Kalyan’s Gabbar Singh among Telugu re-releases, landing it in the second position for opening-day collections. Gabbar Singh, originally launched in 2012, collected Rs 6.25 crore on its opening day, thereby making it the largest domestic opener in its time.

Similarly, Khaleja 4K opened with Rs 6.85 crore globally on its first day, eventually crossing Rs 10 crore in its total run. The significant tally and audience engagement point to a growing appreciation for re-releases among movie-goers.

As a benchmark, Baahubali: The Epic, released in October 2025, remains superior. Directed by SS Rajamouli, the combined remastered version of the two Baahubali films earned approximately Rs 19.65 crore globally on its opening day, with India’s share estimated at Rs 12.50 crore.

The overall global collection for Baahubali: The Epic reportedly reached Rs 52 crore, solidifying its status as the highest-grossing Telugu re-release to date. Darling, directed by A. Karunakaran and produced by Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, is regarded as a pivotal film in Prabhas’s career prior to his role in the Baahubali franchise.

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