MCA aka Middle Class Abbayi made superb collections at the US box office in the premiere shows on Wednesday. Nani's film has dethroned Arjun Reddy to become eighth biggest opener of 2017.
Nani has been the most bankable stars in Telugu film industry of late. With each movie, he is only getting bigger and better while also swelling his US market. The good collections of his previous releases are a testimony to it. To tap his success spree, several leading distribution houses were in the race to bag MCA's overseas theatrical rights.
Finally, BlueSky Cinemas acquired the overseas theatrical rights of MCA aka Middle Class Abbayi for a whopping Rs 3.50 crore, which is a record price for a film starring Nani. The distribution house made arrangements for its release in over 150 screens in North America alone and it also held premiere shows in the same number of screens on Wednesday.
The Nani and Sai Pallavi starrer has opened to thunderous response at the ticket counters in North America. As per early estimates, MCA aka Middle Class Abbayi has collected $241,802 at the US box office in the premiere shows. The movie is likely to cross $300,000, when the final numbers will be out.
Noted Telugu film critic Idlebrain Jeevi tweeted: "Natural star @NameisNani is creating sensation with #MCA openings in USA. Close to quarter million. Collects $241,802 by 11 pm EST in USA for premieres! His earlier highest premieres number was $160k for #NenuLocal "
MCA aka Middle Class Abbayi has shattered the records of Nani's previous releases and became the biggest opener for him at the US box office. Here is the list of Nani's biggest openers in the country.
| Rank | Movie | Release | Collection |
| 1 | Middle Class Abbayi | 2017 | $241,802 |
| 2 | Ninnu Kori | 2017 | $170,000 |
| 3 | Nenu Local | 2017 | $166,679 |
| 4 | Gentleman | 2016 | $71,938 |
| 5 | Bhale Bhale Magadivoy | 2015 | $70,132 |
| 6 | Majnu | 2016 | $58,000 |
| 7 | Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha | 2016 | $41,369 |
MCA aka Middle Class Abbayi has also entered the biggest Tollywood openers in the US in 2017, by smashing the record of Arjun Reddy, which minted $194,051 at the US box office in its premiere shows.
Here is the list of biggest Tollywood openers in the US in 2017. This list is based on various reports and the numbers may not match with the actual figures.
| Rank | Movie | Collection |
| 1 | Baahubali 2 | $2,450,000 |
| 2 | Khaidi No 150 | $1,295,613 |
| 3 | Spyder | $939,000 |
| 4 | Jai Lava Kusa | $589,000 |
| 5 | Duvvada Jagannadham | $550,816 |
| 6 | Katamarayudu | $460,000 |
| 7 | Fidaa | $376,143 |
| 8 | Gautamiputra Satakarni | $373,000 |
| 9 | Middle Class Abbayi | $241,802 |
| 10 | Arjun Reddy | $194,051 |
