The re-release of Khaleja in 4K was supposed to be a nostalgic celebration for Mahesh Babu fans, but in Vijayawada, things got out of hand when one fan turned a tribute into a real-life stunt.
In an attempt to mirror a well-known scene from the film, where Mahesh Babu’s character walks with a snake through the desert, a fan decided to bring an actual snake into the cinema. At first, the crowd thought it was just a prop. But when the snake began to move, panic broke out. The video of the incident quickly made its way online, with shocked viewers sharing it widely.
While theatres across cities filled with fans celebrating the film’s return, complete with posters, dances, and fireworks, this incident sparked concern about how far fan enthusiasm should go. Theatre staff had to escort the person out before the situation worsened.
Released in 2010 and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, Khaleja had a slow start at the box office but eventually earned cult status. It co-starred Anushka Shetty and told the story of a taxi driver who finds himself caught up in a divine mission.
Mahesh Babu’s cult film Khaleja sees packed theatres during re-releaseTwitter/Amalapuram Mahesh FC
The re-release, now upgraded to 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, was one of the biggest for any Telugu film. Ticket sales before the premiere crossed £330,000 (₹3.5 crore) in India, with nearly 200,000 tickets sold on BookMyShow alone. Even in the US, advance collections reportedly hit £40,000 (₹43 lakh), prompting additional shows in multiple cities.
However, not everything went smoothly. Fans noticed that certain scenes and songs were missing from the new version, leading to outrage in some theatres. Videos showed audiences arguing with projectionists and halting screenings in protest. Missing sequences like the “Sunday Monday” song and popular dialogues led to frustration, with many venting their anger online.
The response to Khaleja’s re-release shows the deep attachment fans have to the film, but also raises questions about where to draw the line between celebration and chaos. Whether it’s re-enacting a scene or demanding every frame be restored, the film clearly still strikes a chord 14 years after its release.
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