30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Khaleja re-release: Mahesh Babu fan brings live snake to theatre, others vandalise property over trimmed footage
The re-release of Mahesh Babu's 2010 film Khaleja today has attracted significant attention. While some fans are expressing their enthusiasm online, others have landed themselves in trouble.
According to reports, a fan in Vijayawada entered a theatre with a snake in his hand. He was seemingly inspired by a scene in the film that shows Mahesh Babu's character walk in the desert with a snake. The fan wanted to recreate the scene. At first, people around him thought it was fake — until it moved and sent others into a panic. A video of the same has gone viral.
In another development, fans expressed disappointment when they found out that approximately 20 minutes of footage, including popular 'Sunday Monday' song, were missing from the re-released version. Several videos of fans expressing their anger and fighting with theatre owners surfaced online.
Also Read | Revisiting Khaleja: Mahesh Babu's underappreciated movie that is among his best works
In one such clip, fans can be seen shouting at theatre staff, demanding an explanation for the trimmed version. Some even damaged theatre property in protest.
A #MaheshBabu fan took fandom to a wild level during the re-release of #Khaleja.
In a viral video shows fan holding a snake inside the jam packed theatre, recreating the film's iconic scene.
Khaleja has become the biggest re-release in Telugu cinema history, surpassing the…
— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) May 30, 2025
Orey song cut chesaru ani chepali kadha raa mundhey fans tho aatalu adadhu @KhalejaTheFilm direct adham pagal dengaru manolu cinema api dengaru …
(Sunday monday song ledhu movie lo)
#Khaleja4K
— Koushik Naidu (@M_Koushik1203) May 29, 2025
Sunday Monday song ledu
Nalo naku devudu kanipisthunnadu scene ledu
Evadu kodite dhimma thirigi dialogue ledu
Chesthe comedy nene cheyali scene ledu.. inka em chesukodaniki ee re release. Worst planning ra @KhalejaTheFilm 💦💦 #Khaleja4K
Anduke ee gola theatre lopala
— Athidhi 🌶️ (@mbkdhfm) May 29, 2025
With the growing intolerance, exhibitors quickly shared a statement that read, 'We have seen a few tweets that some scenes or songs have not been screened. Please be aware that we only play the content provided by the makers. Do not let us down by creating unnecessary issues. Please understand.'
Soon after, Khaleja's production team responded. Taking to their official X account, they wrote, 'Everything sorted. Enjoy Khaleja 4K to the fullest in theatres near you.'
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Directed by Trivikram Srinivas and co-starring Anushka Shetty, Khaleja was remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound for its re-release. Despite its initial lukewarm reception, over the years, the film gained a cult following.
The film saw remarkable advance bookings, earning over Rs 3.5 crore — including revenue from special fan shows on May 29.