The success celebrations of Korean Kanakaraju became even more special with the presence of Megastar Chiranjeevi. The veteran actor attended the film’s blockbuster celebrations and used the occasion to congratulate the entire team for delivering an entertainer that managed to attract audiences to theatres. His speech was filled with appreciation for director Merlapaka Gandhi, actor Varun Tej, comedian Satya, music composer Thaman and the rest of the cast and crew.

But the biggest talking point from Chiranjeevi’s speech was his humorous take on who should actually receive credit for Varun Tej’s latest success.

Chiranjeevi jokingly said that the success should not simply be placed in Varun Tej’s account. Instead, he suggested that the credit should go to Varun’s young son, Vayu Tej, whom he affectionately referred to as the family’s lucky charm. The playful comment instantly added a personal touch to the celebrations and reflected the close bond shared within the Mega family.

Beyond the family moment, Chiranjeevi had plenty to say about the film itself. He praised the team for attempting something different in the horror-comedy space. The genre has been explored repeatedly in Telugu cinema, but according to Chiranjeevi, Korean Kanakaraju managed to create a fresh identity by bringing Korean elements and cultural flavour into the story.

That decision, he felt, played a major role in making the film stand apart from conventional horror comedies. Instead of depending entirely on familiar formulas, the makers tried to introduce a different backdrop and flavour. Chiranjeevi specifically credited director Merlapaka Gandhi for having the confidence to take that route.

For the Megastar, the director deserves a major share of the credit whenever a film succeeds. A filmmaker has to bring together the story, performances, technical departments and commercial requirements while keeping the audience engaged. Chiranjeevi described Gandhi as a talented director and expressed his hope that he would continue exploring more interesting stories.

His comments also underline an important aspect of Korean Kanakaraju. Telugu cinema audiences are familiar with horror-comedy as a commercial genre, so simply adding ghosts and comedy may not be enough to create curiosity anymore. The Korean backdrop gave the film an additional hook and allowed the makers to build a different atmosphere around the familiar entertainment formula.

Varun Tej was another major focus of Chiranjeevi’s speech. Rather than discussing only the latest success, the veteran actor looked at Varun’s career as a whole. He pointed out that Varun has consistently shown an interest in selecting different kinds of films and characters.

Films such as Mukunda, Kanche and Antariksham were cited as examples of Varun’s willingness to experiment. These projects belong to different genres and demanded different approaches from the actor. Chiranjeevi felt that this willingness to move away from predictable choices could eventually help Varun establish a distinct identity as a performer.

The message from the senior actor was clear: Varun should continue trusting his instincts and take up roles that challenge him. According to Chiranjeevi, Varun has the desire to prove himself as an actor, and that quality can become one of his biggest strengths in the long run.

Chiranjeevi’s appreciation for Varun was therefore not limited to Korean Kanakaraju. It was also an acknowledgement of the journey the actor has taken over the years. For an actor from a prominent film family, establishing an independent identity can be challenging. Varun’s choice of varied subjects has allowed him to explore a different path rather than relying entirely on conventional commercial formulas.

The success of Korean Kanakaraju has now added another interesting chapter to that journey.

The film also received strong appreciation from Chiranjeevi for its supporting performances. He particularly highlighted Satya, whose comic timing has become an important part of the movie’s entertainment value. Satya could not attend the success celebration because of his shooting commitments, but Chiranjeevi still made it a point to acknowledge his work.

The Megastar went a step further by suggesting that Satya’s performance was so entertaining that viewers might feel like watching the film again just for him. That kind of praise from an actor of Chiranjeevi’s stature gave additional recognition to the comedian’s contribution.

Ritika Nayak was also praised for her performance and screen presence, while Muralidhar Goud received appreciation for his work. Chiranjeevi’s comments made it clear that he viewed the film’s success as the result of a collective effort rather than the achievement of one individual.

Music director Thaman was another person who received special mention. Chiranjeevi spoke warmly about his association with the composer and appreciated the energy he brought to the project. According to the Megastar, Thaman’s music added life to the film and strengthened its overall entertainment appeal.

The relationship between Chiranjeevi and Thaman has already attracted attention in Telugu cinema, and their interactions often carry a sense of familiarity. During this celebration too, the Megastar’s words reflected that personal comfort.

Chiranjeevi also praised the production team for completing the movie within the planned schedule and budget. For him, this itself represented an important achievement. Producing a commercial film involves managing numerous departments, schedules, locations and financial commitments, and completing the project efficiently can significantly reduce pressure on the makers.

His appreciation extended to the producers and other members associated with the film as well. He congratulated Rajeev Reddy, Krish and other members of the team while thanking everyone who contributed to the movie’s making.

Another interesting part of Chiranjeevi’s speech was his observation about the current theatrical environment. He pointed to a string of films that have found audience support during the second half of 2026 and argued that viewers are still ready to visit theatres when filmmakers provide content that appeals to them.

That point is significant because theatrical cinema has been facing a changing audience landscape. Viewers now have access to streaming platforms and a wide variety of entertainment from home. Yet theatrical releases continue to generate excitement when the subject, stars, promotions and word of mouth come together.

Korean Kanakaraju itself entered theatres on August 7 and recorded a decent opening at the Indian box office, with reports putting its first-day India gross at around ₹4.50 crore. The strongest response was reported during night shows, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The film’s early response has also attracted attention from other stars. Prabhas publicly congratulated Varun Tej and the team after the film’s release, adding another high-profile endorsement to the movie’s success celebrations.

For Varun Tej, therefore, the current phase is about more than one successful release. It is an opportunity to strengthen the identity he has been building through different subjects. Chiranjeevi’s comments at the celebration reinforce the idea that taking risks with scripts can eventually create a stronger image for an actor.

The most memorable element of the evening, however, remains Chiranjeevi’s joke about Vayu Tej.

Success speeches at film events generally follow a familiar pattern, with stars thanking audiences, producers and technicians. Chiranjeevi added a personal family moment by crediting the little one as the “lucky charm.” The remark brought laughter while also making the event feel more informal and affectionate.

At the same time, the Megastar’s larger message was serious. He reminded the team that a film’s success belongs to everyone involved in the process. From the director who creates the vision to the actors who bring the characters alive, the technicians who build the world and the audience members who purchase tickets, every link matters.

Korean Kanakaraju appears to have benefited from that combination of different contributions. Gandhi brought the unusual concept, Varun Tej took on another distinctive role, Satya added comedy, Thaman supplied the musical energy and the supporting cast strengthened the overall package.

Chiranjeevi’s speech brought all those elements together while also giving Varun Tej a personal word of encouragement. His message to the actor was essentially to keep experimenting, keep learning and continue building his own identity.

For the Mega family, the success of Korean Kanakaraju has now become another reason to celebrate. And if Chiranjeevi’s playful words are anything to go by, perhaps the newest member of the family deserves a tiny share of the credit too.

After all, according to the Megastar, this particular success may not belong entirely to Varun Tej - Vayu Tej might just be the family’s newest lucky charm.