Telugu star Teja Sajja’s much-anticipated fantasy action film Mirai has made a powerful early impression overseas. The movie pulled in more than USD 65,000 from its U.S. premiere screenings—a notable indicator of its rising popularity among Telugu cinema fans abroad.
The film’s early performance comes amid growing excitement for its global launch. Teja Sajja, who shot several scenes in the challenging terrain of the Himalayas under freezing conditions, called the production scale “unbelievable.” Despite popular belief, he revealed the film was produced on a tight ₹60 crore budget, achieved through efficient planning, natural lighting, and reduced use of caravans during shoots.
In another move that earned widespread praise, Teja appealed to the producers not to hike ticket prices. He emphasized the need to keep Mirai affordable so that whole families could enjoy its blend of action, emotion, and devotion—a gesture lauded by fans online.
Directed by Karthik Gattamaneni, who also handled writing and cinematography, Mirai is set in a mythological-futuristic world where a warrior protects nine divine scriptures threatened by a dystopian force. The film includes stalwart performances from Manchu Manoj, Shriya Saran, Jagapathi Babu, and others, with rich visual effects that belie its modest budget.
The U.S. premiere earnings speak to a growing trend: Telugu films are making significant inroads into North American box offices. If momentum continues, Mirai could spark serious buzz leading into its global release. Adding to the excitement, superstar Mahesh Babu’s rumored AI-generated cameo was clarified as untrue—though the film does weave in a revered mythological figure crucially to the storyline.
Set for a theatrical release on September 12, 2025, Mirai is being rolled out in multiple Indian languages and will eventually stream on JioHotstar. With early signs pointing toward strong overseas performance, the film’s international reception looks to be a promising chapter in Tollywood’s expanding reach.