Mahesh Babu's Minimum Target Is 8.1 Crores

Hit or flop doesn't matter if it is Superstar Mahesh Babu's movie. This rule applies only for overseas territories as NRI audiences happen to be his die-hard patronisers.

That's why a flop flick like "Aagadu" fetched nearly 7.5+ crores "share" in its full run at USA box-office while hits like Manam (6.37+ cr share) and Race Gurram (6+ cr share) lagged behind. Time and again, expectations are riding high on Mahesh at US box office and Koratala Siva's "Srimanthudu" is no exception.

With a flop like "Aagadu" raking up such huge figures, surely the presence of Koratala Siva on board changed dynamics for Mahesh. His popularity soared up like anything with the addition of Jagapathi Babu and Shruti Haasan to the star-cast. Owing to the expectations, USA distributor Classic Entertainments has purchased the overseas rights of "Srimanthudu" for 8.1 crores. This is so far the highest price for any Telugu film that has hit US theatres. Considering the huge buzz around the movie, and that too with a terrific promotion campaign being planned, the movie will release in more than 200 screens this time in US to register records. Earlier Mahesh's Aagadu has seen the highest number of screen-count abroad with 153 screens release in USA.

However, with just 93 screens release, Pawan Kalyan's Attarintiki Daredi amassed 9.53+ crores to become the highest "grosser" abroad. While the target of "Srimanthudu" is to beat the top spot, at any given day the movie should collect 8.1 crores share, not gross, to push distributors into safe side. On top of it, impressive content is needed to balance the hype, such that sprinting ahead into 1 Million Dollar Club will be easier.

Mahesh and Koratala's "Srimanthudu" is likely to release in May 2015.