Ustaad Bhagat Singh
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Harish Shankar
Screenplay by
  • Dasaradh
  • Ramesh Reddy
Story by Harish Shankar
Produced by
  • Naveen Yerneni
  • Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar
Starring
  • Pawan Kalyan
  • Sreeleela
  • Raashii Khanna
  • R. Parthiban
Cinematography Ayananka Bose
Edited by Karthika Srinivas
Music by
  • Score:
    Thaman S
  • Songs:
    Devi Sri Prasad
Production
company
Mythri Movie Makers
Release date
  • 19 March 2026 (2026-03-19)
Running time
154 minutes[1]
Country India
Language Telugu
Budget ₹120 crore[2]
Box office ₹60 crore[3]

Ustaad Bhagat Singh (transl. Teacher Bhagat Singh) is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film directed by Harish Shankar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. The film stars Pawan Kalyan in the titular role, alongside Sreeleela, Raashii Khanna and R. Parthiban.

The film was released theatrically on 19 March 2026 coinciding with Ugadi to negative reviews from critics.[4] [5]

Plot

In a parliament building, several attacks happen where some men kill ministers, and it becomes a havoc.

The story fast forwards to 24 years ago where Chandrasekhar Rao, a teacher, educates the people and also the children in a school. There, he meets a boy and enrolls him in a school, and the boy later grows to be rebellious and trashes a warden as he was mistreating a female teacher. Chandrasekhar Rao, after seeing the boy's potential names him as Ustaad Bhagat Singh.

After 24 years, Chandrasekhar Rao, now the chief minister, gets assassinated mysteriously and is sent to a safe place; another politician gets to be an acting CM, but he also gets killed. Later, a ruthless politician, Chadala Marri Nalla Nagappa, comes and offers condolences to the politician son, and it is revealed that Nagappa is behind the assassinations as he aims to be the CM, and he later takes charge as the deputy CM. Nagappa's younger son came from America and goes to the Nallamala forest as Singaiah, Nagappa's right-hand man, welcomes him. Nagappa's younger son realises that his Ganja went missing and CI Kesava is behind it. He then storms into the police station and humiliates Kesava. Bhagat Singh, now a forest guard, comes to the rescue and trashes Nagappa's son and his gang. Nagappa's son gets kidnapped mysteriously.

Meanwhile Shloka, the daughter of a wealthy industrialist and her family comes to the forest and Bhagat is assigned to welcome them and make their stay comfortable. It is revealed that Shloka came here to forget about her boyfriend Gopi, which Bhagat and his friend made her to forget. Bhagat is revealed to be the man behind the kidnapping of Nagappa's son keeps him captive.

Nagappa later came to know about the kidnapping and calls Miya Bhai, a ruthless leader who later calls Faizal a dreaded terrorist, to find Nagappa's son. Then Faizal and his gang kidnapped Shloka to lure Bhagat to their trap. Singaiah guides Faizal and his gang to the area where Nagappa's son is held captive. Miya Bhai gets shocked that Bhagat is behind this and asks for forgiveness, Bhagat later kills Faizal's gang and keeps him captive. Afzal Baghdadi a dreaded terrorist and Faizal's mentor vows vengeance on the man who kidnap. Bhagat tells Nagappa's son that he had a grudge on his father. Singaiah later reveals himself as an ex forest ranger and he was with Bhagat all along. Shloka gets surprised and asks Singaiah about Bhagat. Singaiah narrates Bhagat's flashback.

6 years ago, a violent riot happens in a temple procession where a gang kills priests. Bhagat Singh, an ACP, kills the gang ruthlessly and learns that Nagappa has sent them to create a riot. Enraged, Bhagat Singh storms to Nagappa's house where he warns Nagappa to stay on his limits. His elder son comes to the police station to find Bhagat who warned his father. Bhagat later slashes him and asks him to get out. Bhagat even drags Asif, a dreaded terrorist which shocks Miya Bhai.

Meanwhile, Leela a RJ falls in love with Bhagat who later reciprocates her feelings. Nagappa was angered at this and sends Shiva and Kashi, as well as their henchmen to finish off Bhagat. Bhagat finds them and encounters Shiva and kills Kashi in the bazaar. Later, Pallavi, Leela's friend gets raped by Nagappa's son and their gang. She tells Bhagat to kill those people and succumbs to her injuries. Bhagat storms to Nagappa's house and kills Nagappa's son.

Bhagat and Leela decide to get married, but Leela gets killed and Bhagat realises that Afzal did this on the orders of Nagappa and kills Afzal's gang. Bhagat kidnaps his younger son to exact revenge. Afzal and his gang later comes to kill Bhagat, but Faizal was revealed to be RAW officer Riaz Khan and kills Afzal's gang. Bhagat later kills Afzal. Riaz also reveals that his team had killed the ministers in the parliament building as they were corrupt.

Later, Bhagat goes to Nagappa's house and tells him that his mission is over and decides his fate. Shocked at Bhagat's win, Nagappa commits suicide. Chandrasekhar Rao gets cured, and he and Bhagat reunite.

Cast

  • Pawan Kalyan as ACP "Ustaad" Bhagat Singh
  • Sreeleela as RJ Leela
  • Raashii Khanna as Shloka
  • R. Parthiban as Chadala Marri Nalla Nagappa
  • K. S. Ravikumar as CM Chandrasekhar Rao, Bhagat Singh’s father-figure
  • Nawab Shah as Ajmal Rahim
  • B. S. Avinash as Miya Bhai
  • Srinath Maganti as Officer Riyaz alias Faizal
  • Kamal Kamaraju as Officer Kamal
  • Gautami as Bhagat Singh's adoptive mother
  • Rao Ramesh as Ex-Forest Officer Singaiah
  • Jayaprakash as Shloka's father
  • Ramki as IG Ramesh Chandra
  • L. B. Sriram as Leela's Grandfather
  • Goparaju Ramana as Sreenu Swami
  • Prabhas Sreenu as Katta, Bhagat Singh's friend
  • Satyam Rajesh as Dr. Samanvi, Shloka’s psychiatrist
  • Praveen as Dr Samanvi’s assistant
  • Murali Mohan as Ex-chief minister
  • Kireeti Damaraju as Journalist
  • Chammak Chandra as Cafe customer
  • Temper Vamsi as Nalla Nagappa's Elder Son
  • Killi Kranthi as Nalla Nagappa’s younger Son
  • Mathew Varghese as Chandrasekhar Rao's PA
  • Vadlamani Srinivas as Nalla Nagappa’s PA
  • Mahesh Achanta as School Peon
  • Pammi Sai as Traffic Police
  • Pallavi Dora as Pallavi, Leela’s bestfriend
  • Vamsi Chaganti as Pallavi’s boyfriend

Production

Development

The film was announced as Bhavadeeyudu Bhagat Singh on 9 September 2021.[6] It marks the second collaboration of Pawan Kalyan with Harish Shankar after Gabbar Singh (2012).[7] Later in December 2022, title was changed to Ustaad Bhagat Singh.[8] The film's launch event with a pooja ceremony was held on 11 December 2022 at Ramanaidu Studios with cast and crew.[9]

Casting

Sreeleela was cast as the female lead.[10] Later on July 2025, Raashii Khanna joined the cast to play a pivotal role with a character poster, and stated to be a parallel female lead role as Shloka, it marks her first collaboration with Kalyan and Harish[11], later it was revealed that she was the replacement for actress Sakshi Vaidya.[12] Ashutosh Rana, Nawab Shah, B. S. Avinash, Gautami, Naga Mahesh, Narra Srinu, Chammak Chandra, Giri and Temper Vamsi would play important roles.[13] Later on October 2025, Khanna revealed that she was signed the film, without reading the script, only for Pawan Kalyan.[14]

Filming and post-production

Principal photography commenced on 5 April 2023. A police station was erected in Aluminium factory, Hyderabad for film's first schedule.[15] Sreeleela joined the set on 11 April.[16] The first schedule for filming ended on 15 April.[13] In June 2023, the team erected a massive set for the film's next schedule in East Coast Road.[17] Raashii Khanna joined the sets on July 2025, and wrapped up her portions on December 2025.[18] After wrapped up in December, the team moved into post-production work on January 2026, with dubbing works.[19] Raashii Khanna started dubbing for her portions on February 2026.[20]

Music

Ustaad Bhagat Singh
Soundtrack album by
Devi Sri Prasad
Released 12 March 2026
Recorded 2024
Genre Soundtrack
Length 12:31
Language Telugu
Label Sony Music
Producer Devi Sri Prasad

Devi Sri Prasad is hired as the music director.[21] Music session began in May 2023.[22] The audio rights were acquired by Sony Music India.[23]

Track listing
No. Title Lyrics Singer(s) Length
1. "Dekhlenge Saala" Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar Vishal Dadlani, Haripriya 4:02
2. "Aura of Ustaad" Chandrabose Devi Sri Prasad, S. P. Abhishek & The Indian Choral Ensemble 4:10
3. "Collar Ey Etthara" Kasarla Shyam Ram Miriyala 4:20

Release

Theatrical

Ustaad Bhagat Singh was scheduled to be released theatrically on 26 March 2026, but was preponed to 19 March 2026.[24][25] Initially, it was planned for a release in 2024, but got delayed as Harish Shankar moved on to direct Mr. Bachchan (2024), reuniting with Ravi Teja, and Kalyan went on to finish the shooting of Hari Hara Veera Mallu and They Call Him OG (both in 2025).[26]

Home media

The digital streaming rights of the film were originally acquired by Amazon Prime Video, but they later reverted to Netflix and satellite rights Zee Telugu.[27]

Reception

Box office

The two-day worldwide gross collection of the film is ₹65 crore with a distributors' share of ₹39 crore.[28]

Critical recption

The film received negative reviews from critics.[5] Nikhil Waiker from Deccan Herald rated 1/5 stars and stated, "Pawan Kalyan delivers another disappointment".[29]

BVS Prakash of Deccan Chronicle rated with 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Ustaad Bhagat Singh is a predictable and outdated mass entertainer that fails to capitalise on its star power. With a weak script and inconsistent execution, it struggles to leave any meaningful impact.[30] T Maruthi Acharya of India Today rated 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Ustaad Bhagat Singh is a routine, outdated commercial entertainer that depends almost entirely on Pawan Kalyan’s presence. It offers a few moments for fans, but very little beyond that. For those walking in for the star, it might deliver in parts. For everyone else, it feels like a film that expects you to leave too much outside the theatre before stepping in."[31]

Yashaswini Sri of The Indian Express rated 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Ustaad Bhagat Singh is the kind of film that fans will find moments to cheer in, but general audiences are likely to walk out feeling they have seen this before, and done better. The aftertaste of watching the film is rather bad. Pawan Kalyan does what he does best, and there is genuine enjoyment in watching him work. But a good lead performance alone cannot carry two and a half hours when the writing is outdated, the music is underwhelming, and the supporting cast is either underused or underwritten. The result is a film that neither fully satisfies as a mindless entertainer nor earns its more serious ambitions."[32]

References

  1. ^ "Ustaad Bhagat Singh completes censor formalities, gets U/A certificate". Cinema Express. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  2. ^ S, Hari Prasad (5 April 2023). Ustaad Bhagat Singh Budget: ఉస్తాద్ భగత్ సింగ్ బడ్జెట్ ఎంతో తెలుసా? [Ustaad Bhagat Singh Budget: Do you know the budget of Ustad Bhagat Singh?]. Hindustan Times Telugu (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  3. ^ Aithagoni, Raju (21 March 2026). "Ustaad Bhagat Singh OTT Price: ఉస్తాద్‌ భగత్‌ సింగ్‌ మూవీ ఓటీటీ ధర ఎంతో తెలుసా? నిర్మాతలకు లాభాల పంట". Asianet News Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 21 March 2026. ఈ మూవీ రెండు రోజుల్లో దాదాపు రూ.30కోట్ల షేర్‌ని, రూ.41కోట్ల గ్రాస్‌ని రాబట్టినట్టు సమాచారం [According to reports, this movie has garnered a share of approximately ₹20 crore and a gross of ₹41 crore within two days.]
  4. ^ "Pawan Kalyan's Ustaad Bhagat Singh confirms release on March 19 as Yash's Toxic postponed: The Ugadi box office shake-up". e Indian Express. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Ustaad Bhagat Singh Box Office Collection Day 1: Pawan Kalyan-Starrer Earns Over Rs 30 Crore Amid Dhurandhar 2 Storm". Outlook India. 20 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Pawan Kalyan's 28th film titled 'Bhavadeeyudu Bhagat Singh'". The Hindu. 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023 – via www.thehindu.com.
  7. ^ "Pawan Kalyan's first look from Bhavadeeyudu Bhagat Singh out: It's not just about entertainment this time". 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Pawan Kalyan, Harish Shankar reunite for 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh'". The New Indian Express. 11 December 2022. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Pawan Kalyan-Starrer Ustaad Bhagat Singh Goes on Floor, Know Details". 12 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Sreeleela to star in Pawan Kalyan and Harish Shankar's 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh'". The Times of India. 11 April 2023. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Raashii Khanna Joins Pawan Kalyan's 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh'". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  12. ^ 123telugu (6 January 2026). "Ustaad Bhagat Singh: Sakshi Vaidya Reveals Why She Was Replaced by Raashii Khanna in Pawan Kalyan's Film". Retrieved 7 February 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a b "It is a wrap for the first schedule of Ustaad Bhagat Singh". Cinema Express. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Raashii Khanna Signed Ustaad Bhagat Singh Without Reading Script: 'It's Pawan Kalyan's Film, I'm A Part'". News18. Archived from the original on 4 December 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  15. ^ Singh, Rajni (6 April 2023). "Pawan Kalyan starts shooting for 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh', see leaked pics". www.indiatvnews.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Andhra Pradesh Breaking News, Telangana News, Hyderabad News Updates, National News, Breaking News". www.thehansindia.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  17. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (5 June 2023). "Pawan Kalyan starrer Ustaad Bhagat Singh to feature a massive set; Myrthi Movie Makers share glimpse on social media : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  18. ^ "'Ustaad Bhagat Singh': Raashii Khanna shares BTS PICS from sets of Pawan Kalyan starrer: 'Between action and cut, there's stillness'". The Times of India. 21 December 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  19. ^ "Ustaad Bhagat Singh accelerates post-production work". The New Indian Express. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  20. ^ "'Ustaad Bhagat Singh': Raashii Khanna begins dubbing for Pawan Kalyan starrer ahead of March 26 release; shares pics". The Times of India. 9 February 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  21. ^ Hymavati, Ravali (5 May 2023). "Rock Star Devi Sri Prasad Makes An Exciting Announcement Regarding Pawan Kalyan's Ustaad Bhagat Singh". www.thehansindia.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  22. ^ Today, Telangana (1 May 2023). "'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' music sittings begin". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Sony Music Teams up with Pawan Kalyan's Ustaad Bhagat Singh". 9 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Pawan Kalyan's 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' Locks Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter India. 5 February 2026.
  25. ^ "Pawan Kalyan's Ustaad Bhagat Singh Release Date Announced, New Poster Goes Viral". News18. 4 February 2026. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  26. ^ "Pawan's 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' with Harish Shankar on hold? All we know". India Today. 17 July 2023. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Netflix Secures Digital Rights for Pawan Kalyan's 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh'". Deccan Chronicle. 26 January 2026.
  28. ^ Aithagoni, Raju (21 March 2026). "Ustaad Bhagat Singh OTT Price: ఉస్తాద్‌ భగత్‌ సింగ్‌ మూవీ ఓటీటీ ధర ఎంతో తెలుసా? నిర్మాతలకు లాభాల పంట". Asianet News Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 21 March 2026. ఈ మూవీ రెండు రోజుల్లో దాదాపు రూ.39కోట్ల షేర్‌ని, రూ.65కోట్ల గ్రాస్‌ని రాబట్టినట్టు సమాచారం [According to reports, this movie has garnered a share of approximately ₹39 crore and a gross of ₹65 crore within two days.]
  29. ^ "Ustaad Bhagat Singh review: Pawan Kalyan film falls flat with formulaic plot". Deccan Herald.
  30. ^ Prakash, B. V. S. (19 March 2026). "Ustaad Bhagat Singh Falls Flat with Weak Story and Outdated Treatment". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  31. ^ Acharya, T. Maruthi (19 March 2026). "Ustaad Bhagat Singh review: Another Pawan Kalyan film that takes audience for granted". India Today. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  32. ^ "Ustaad Bhagat Singh Movie Review: Pawan Kalyan cannot save this dated 2026 mass entertainer". 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.