Imagine a movie so exciting that people line up outside theaters, cheering for their favorite star! Vakeel Saab is that movie—a courtroom drama that won hearts and broke records. Let’s dive into its story, how much money it made, and why everyone’s talking about it!
🎬 Film Overview
Film Title
Vakeel Saab (which means “Mr. Lawyer” in Telugu)
Director & Producers
- Director: Venu Sriram, who made this movie super thrilling!
- Producers: Dil Raju, Sirish, and Boney Kapoor, who worked together to bring this story to life.
Main Cast
- Pawan Kalyan: The hero, playing a brave lawyer fighting for justice.
- Nivetha Thomas: A strong woman who shines in her role.
- Anjali: Another powerful actress in this emotional story.
- Ananya Nagalla: A key part of the team, delivering a great performance.
- Prakash Raj: The villain you love to hate!
- Shruti Haasan: Plays a special cameo as Pawan Kalyan’s wife.
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Budget
The movie cost about $10.24 million (₹85 crore) to make, including filming, actors’ fees, and marketing. That’s a lot of money, but it’s a big movie with a big star!
Film Bio
Vakeel Saab is a Telugu-language legal drama, a remake of the Bollywood hit Pink (2016). It’s all about three young women who get into trouble after standing up to someone trying to harm them. A kind but tough lawyer, played by Pawan Kalyan, steps in to save the day. The movie mixes action, drama, and a strong message about respecting women. It’s not just a movie—it’s a story that makes you think and cheer! Filming started in Hyderabad in January 2020 and hit theaters on April 9, 2021, despite challenges like COVID-19 lockdowns and political issues in Andhra Pradesh.
💰 Box Office Performance
Opening Day Collection
Vakeel Saab had a huge opening day! On April 9, 2021, it earned:
- $4.82 million (₹40 crore) in India, with fans packing theaters to see Pawan Kalyan’s comeback after two years.
- $0.36 million overseas, including $0.18 million (A$211,857) in Australia and $0.02 million (NZ$19,220) in New Zealand.
- Total: $5.18 million (₹43 crore) worldwide.
Fans went wild, calling it a “power-packed blockbuster” on social media! Despite rising COVID cases, theaters in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were buzzing with excitement.
First Weekend Earnings
The first three days (April 9–11, 2021) were like a fireworks show at the box office:
- India: $8.61 million (₹71.5 crore), with day-wise earnings of:
- Day 1: $4.82 million (₹40 crore)
- Day 2: $1.99 million (₹16.5 crore)
- Day 3: $2.05 million (₹17 crore)
- Overseas: About $0.72 million (₹6 crore), including $0.3 million from the USA.
- Total Worldwide: $9.33 million (₹77.5 crore).
The movie beat Master’s three-day collection of $8.31 million (₹69 crore), proving Pawan Kalyan’s star power. It was the biggest opening weekend for a Telugu film post-pandemic, despite low ticket prices and canceled shows due to COVID restrictions.
First Week Collection
By the end of its first week (April 9–15, 2021), Vakeel Saab collected:
- India: $11.45 million (₹95 crore)
- Day 4: $1.57 million (₹13 crore)
- Day 5: $1 million (₹8.3 crore)
- Day 6: $0.58 million (₹4.83 crore)
- Day 7: $0.19 million (₹1.59 crore)
- Overseas: $1.23 million (₹10.2 crore)
- Total Worldwide: $12.68 million (₹105.2 crore).
The film crossed the ₹100 crore mark in India by day 6, a huge win during tough times! It stayed strong despite a drop after the opening weekend, thanks to Pawan Kalyan’s fans.
Monthly & Yearly Projections
- First Month (April 9–May 9, 2021): The movie earned about $13.19 million (₹109.55 crore) in India and $16.56 million (₹137.5 crore) worldwide. The second wave of COVID-19 and lockdowns slowed it down after the first two weeks.
- Yearly Total (2021): By the end of its run, Vakeel Saab grossed $16.59 million (₹137.65 crore) worldwide. Projections suggested it could have hit $18–20 million (₹150–166 crore) without COVID restrictions, as fans on X noted its potential for a 150 crore share.
🌍 Domestic & International Breakdown
Domestic vs. International Revenue
- Domestic (India): $13.19 million (₹109.55 crore), mostly from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where fans filled theaters despite 50% occupancy limits.
- International: $3.40 million (₹28.1 crore), with strong performances in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Total Worldwide: $16.59 million (₹137.65 crore).
The movie’s local appeal was huge, but international earnings were hit by COVID restrictions, collecting less than $1 million in the USA compared to Pawan Kalyan’s usual $1 million premieres.
Top-Performing Countries
- USA: $0.3 million on opening day, growing to ~$1 million total.
- Australia: $0.18 million (A$211,857) in the first two days.
- New Zealand: $0.02 million (NZ$19,220) in the first two days.
- Other regions like the UK and Gulf countries contributed smaller amounts due to limited screenings.
📊 Financial Analysis
Budget vs. Earnings
- Budget: $10.24 million (₹85 crore)
- Worldwide Gross: $16.59 million (₹137.65 crore)
- Net Collection (India): $13.19 million (₹109.55 crore)
- Distributor Share: ~$10.37 million (₹86.1 crore)
The movie earned more than its budget, but the distributor share of $10.37 million fell just short of the $10.84 million (₹90 crore) break-even target, losing about $0.44 million (₹3.64 crore).
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Profitability Analysis
Vakeel Saab was a semi-hit, recovering 96% of its investment. It made a profit of ~$6.35 million (₹52.65 crore) over its budget but didn’t fully break even due to the COVID-19 second wave and canceled screenings. Without these challenges, it could have been a blockbuster, as fans on X suggested.
🏆 Records & Comparisons
Records Broken
- Highest Opening Day Post-Pandemic: $4.82 million (₹40 crore) in India, beating Master’s $4.20 million (₹34.8 crore).
- Fastest to ₹100 Crore in India: Reached in 6 days, a big feat during COVID times.
- Fourth Biggest Telugu Weekend: $8.61 million (₹71.5 crore), behind Baahubali 2, Saaho, and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.
Comparison with Similar Films
- Vs. Pink (2016): The original Pink earned $8.14 million (₹67.39 crore) lifetime, while Vakeel Saab crossed this in just three days ($8.61 million).
- Vs. Master (2021): Vakeel Saab’s first weekend ($8.61 million) beat Master’s $8.31 million, showing stronger fan loyalty.
- Vs. Karnan (2021): Released at the same time, Karnan earned $7.59 million (₹63 crore) worldwide, far less than Vakeel Saab’s $16.59 million.
Impact of Competition
Karnan, starring Dhanush, was the main competitor but didn’t match Vakeel Saab’s buzz. COVID restrictions and low ticket prices in Andhra Pradesh hurt both films, but Vakeel Saab’s star power kept it ahead.
🎭 Audience & Critical Reception
Critical Reviews
- IMDb: 6.9/10, with fans praising Pawan Kalyan’s “one-man show” and Nivetha Thomas’ brilliant acting.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (6 critics), averaging 6.5/10, called a “courtroom drama with masala” by The Times of India.
- The Hindu: Loved the courtroom scenes and called the women’s performances “remarkable.”
- Some critics felt it diluted Pink’s focus on consent by adding action and political themes to suit Pawan Kalyan’s image.
Public Reaction
Fans went crazy on social media! Posts on X called it a “power-packed blockbuster” and praised Pawan Kalyan’s return. Long queues formed outside theaters, and stars like Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan tweeted congratulations. However, some fans noted Shruti Haasan’s cameo was underused. The movie’s message about women’s respect resonated, sparking emotional discussions online.
📈 Predictions & Future Expectations
Future Earnings Estimates
Vakeel Saab ended its 2021 run at $16.59 million (₹137.65 crore) worldwide. A re-release on May 1, 2024, added small earnings, but COVID limited its full potential. Without lockdowns, it could have hit $18–20 million (₹150–166 crore), as fans on X estimated. Future re-releases or OTT success on Amazon Prime Video could push it closer to $20 million.
Earnings Table
| Timeframe | Domestic Earnings | International Earnings | Total Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Day | $4.82M / ₹40 Cr | $0.36M / ₹3 Cr | $5.18M / ₹43 Cr | Biggest post-pandemic opener |
| First Weekend | $8.61M / ₹71.5 Cr | $0.72M / ₹6 Cr | $9.33M / ₹77.5 Cr | Beat Master’s 3-day total |
| First Week | $11.45M / ₹95 Cr | $1.23M / ₹10.2 Cr | $12.68M / ₹105.2 Cr | Crossed ₹100 Cr in 6 days |
| First Month | $13.19M / ₹109.55 Cr | $3.40M / ₹28.1 Cr | $16.59M / ₹137.65 Cr | Slowed by COVID lockdowns |
| Yearly Total (2021) | $13.19M / ₹109.55 Cr | $3.40M / ₹28.1 Cr | $16.59M / ₹137.65 Cr | Semi-hit, 96% recovery |
💎 Lead Actresses’ Net Worth (2025)
| Actress Name | Net Worth (2025) | Major Earnings Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Nivetha Thomas | $3 million | Films, endorsements, social media deals |
| Anjali | $2.5 million | Acting, brand endorsements, events |
| Ananya Nagalla | $1 million | Films, regional ads, upcoming projects |
| Shruti Haasan | $15 million | Films, music, endorsements, production |
- Nivetha Thomas: Her powerful role in Vakeel Saab boosted her demand in Telugu cinema. She earns from movies and brand deals, with recent social media campaigns adding to her wealth.
- Anjali: A popular actress in South Indian films, her consistent roles and endorsements keep her net worth steady. She’s also exploring Tamil and Telugu projects.
- Ananya Nagalla: A rising star, her role in Vakeel Saab was a breakout. She’s building wealth through films and local brand deals.
- Shruti Haasan: Her cameo in Vakeel Saab added to her star power. She earns big from acting, singing, and her production house, with new music projects in 2025 boosting her wealth.
Note: Net worth figures are estimates based on industry trends and public reports, as exact data for 2025 is unavailable.
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