Harish Shankar Reacts to Ustaad Bhagat Singh Trolls Amid Box Office Struggle

| Published: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 10:26 [IST]

Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh was expected to dominate the box office, but the reality has been far more challenging. As collections remain underwhelming, director Harish Shankar has finally addressed the criticism–and his response is making headlines.

From trolling to box office pressure, the filmmaker has spoken candidly about the film’s journey so far.

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Box Office Reality: Slow Momentum for Ustaad Bhagat Singh

Despite high expectations and a festive release window, Ustaad Bhagat Singh has struggled to build strong momentum at the box office. After its first week, the film is yet to cross the ₹100 crore mark, with reports suggesting collections around ₹76 crore net in India.

The situation has been further impacted by strong competition from Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which continues to dominate screens and audience attention.

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Harish Shankar Breaks Silence on Trolls

Amid growing criticism, director Harish Shankar addressed trolls during a fan interaction. He made it clear that while he values genuine feedback, he refuses to take anonymous negativity seriously.

According to him, constructive criticism helps improve filmmaking, but trolling without accountability doesn’t deserve attention.

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‘I Don’t Care About Trolls,’ Says Director

In a firm statement, Harish Shankar emphasized that he does not let online negativity affect him. He pointed out that people who hide behind anonymity often lack the courage to stand by their words.

He also revealed that he actively blocks or reports users who cross the line with abusive language, maintaining that respect in criticism is essential.

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Gen Z Factor & Changing Audience Taste

One of the key talking points from the interaction was the film’s connection–or lack of it–with younger audiences. Harish Shankar admitted that even the film’s title was changed to make it more accessible to Gen Z viewers.

However, the response suggests that the film may not have fully resonated with this segment, highlighting the evolving preferences of today’s audience.

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Performances vs Writing Debate

While the film features a strong cast including Pawan Kalyan, Sreeleela, and Raashii Khanna, feedback indicates that performances were not the issue. Instead, many viewers pointed to the writing and narrative as areas that lacked freshness.

Interestingly, Sreeleela’s performance has been noted as one of the brighter aspects, even as the overall film received mixed reviews.

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Director Stands by His Work

Despite the box office numbers, Harish Shankar remains confident about his effort. He stated that overcoming multiple challenges to bring the film to theatres itself is a success.

He also shared that Pawan Kalyan appreciated his work after watching the film, reinforcing his belief in the project.

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What’s Next for the Film & Team

With collections slowing down, all eyes are now on whether Ustaad Bhagat Singh can sustain in the coming weeks or find a second wind through word of mouth.

Meanwhile, Harish Shankar has already hinted at future collaborations with stars like Pawan Kalyan, Varun Tej, and Ravi Teja–signaling that despite current setbacks, his creative journey is far from over.

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