When Khaleja hit theaters in October 2010, audiences expected another gritty action film like Pokiri . The sudden shift to satirical comedy and an experimental storyline caught viewers off guard, leading to a lukewarm theatrical run.
: It was featured in Film Companion’s list of the "25 Greatest Telugu Films of the Decade". Recent Re-Release & Box Office khaleja movieswood top
The film's redemption arc culminated in its recent re-release. "Mahesh Babu's Khaleja beats Chiranjeevi's Indra to become highest-grossing Indian re-release in USA", with the "re-release edition of Mahesh Babu's Khaleja has created ripples at the worldwide box office". This success demonstrates how a film's reputation can grow and thrive long after its initial release. When Khaleja hit theaters in October 2010, audiences