Shoban Brothers Finally Find Their Rhythm With Strong Theatrical Outings

The sons of late director Shoban have been on divergent career paths for years, but 2026 might just be their breakthrough year. Both Santosh and Sangeeth Shoban are finally hitting their stride with Couple Friendly and RaaKaaSaa respectively marking significant wins at the theatrical box office.

Santosh's romantic drama Couple Friendly collected ₹1.89 crore worldwide on its opening day: impressive numbers for what's essentially a mid-budget affair in today's market. The film has earned particular praise for Manasa Varanasi's performance, with critics calling it "one of the finest female lead portrayals in recent times in Tollywood." More importantly for Santosh, the film showcases his natural ease and dialogue delivery, proving he has the screen presence to carry a film when given the right material.

Meanwhile, younger brother Sangeeth's fantasy comedy RaaKaaSaa is receiving positive word-of-mouth following its April 3rd release, with his performance and comedy timing working strongly in the film's favor. Producer Niharika Konidela, riding high on Committee Kurrollu's 2024 success, has backed this horror-comedy that blends fantasy elements with Sangeeth's natural comedic strengths.

The timing couldn't be better for both actors. Santosh had been struggling to find commercial success despite consistently delivering sincere performances, with many in the industry openly supporting the son of late director Sobhan. Sangeeth, meanwhile, built his reputation with the MAD franchise but needed a strong theatrical vehicle to prove his box office pull.

What's encouraging is both films showcase the brothers' individual strengths rather than forcing them into formulaic molds. Couple Friendly's Valentine's Day release strategy and contemporary storytelling suits Santosh's understated style, while RaaKaaSaa leverages Sangeeth's effortless timing and expressions in close-up shots.

The real test now is script selection. Both actors have the talent and screen presence: they just need to maintain this momentum with equally strong follow-up projects. In an industry where family legacies often create pressure, the Shoban brothers are proving that persistence and the right material can eventually pay dividends.