15 years later, Mahesh Babu’s Khaleja set for theatrical re-release in Hyderabad and USA

Hyderabad: Khaleja, the 2010 Telugu-language fantasy action-comedy starring Mahesh Babu, is set for a special re-release, 15 years after its original debut. The film will have premiere shows in select Hyderabad theaters on May 29, with a wider re-release scheduled for May 30, 2025.

Directed by Trivikram Srinivas, Khaleja features Mahesh Babu alongside Anushka Shetty, with Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh, Shafi, Sunil, Ali, and Subbaraju in supporting roles. The music was composed by Mani Sharma. The film follows Raju, a taxi driver who is unexpectedly seen as a divine saviour by a village plagued by a mysterious illness.

The movie marked Mahesh Babu’s return to cinema after a three-year hiatus and his second collaboration with Trivikram after Athadu (2005). Upon its release on October 7, 2010, Khaleja received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office. However, it won two Filmfare Awards South, Best Male Playback Singer and Best Lyricist.

Over the years, Khaleja has been critically re-evaluated and developed a cult following for its storytelling and dialogues. It was later included in Film Companion’s list of the “25 Greatest Telugu Films of the Decade.”

In a first for Telugu cinema, Khaleja is also being re-released in the United States across several states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.

In Hyderabad, tickets are available for special screenings at AMB Cinemas (Gachibowli), Asian Lakshmikala Cinepride (Moosapet), and Sudarshan 35MM (RTC X Roads), which features 4K Laser projection and Dolby Atmos sound. Fans who missed the film during its initial run now have a chance to catch it on the big screen once again.