'Maharshi' has earned super big in the form of theatrical and other rights, trade reports have said. While its budget is billed to be about Rs 70 Cr, the much-awaited message-driven film has made something like Rs 141 Cr before its release.

About Rs 94 Cr is said to have been minted in the form of theatrical release rights. The remaining total has come from satellite rights (including Hindi rights), digital rights, and audio rights.

The film has to earn more than what 'Bharat Ane Nenu' did last year at the box-office. Dil Raju and C Ashwini Dutt are distributing the film in Nizam-Uttarandhra and Guntur-Krishna markets, respectively.

Starring Mahesh Babu as the hero, it has Pooja Hegde and Allari Naresh playing his friends. Directed by Vamshi Paidipally, 'Maharshi' hits the screens on May 9.