Akhanda 2: Thaandavam

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Akhanda 2
Akhanda 2.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Boyapati Sreenu
Written byBoyapati Sreenu
Produced byRam Achanta
Gopi Achanta
Ishan Saksena
Starring
Cinematography C. Ramprasad
Santosh Detake
Edited byTammiraju
Music by Thaman S.
Production
companies
14 Reels Plus Entertainment
IVY Entertainment
Distributed by Zee Studios
Release date
  • 12 December 2025 (2025-12-12)
Running time
166 minutes [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹150 crore [2] [3] [4]
Box office₹102 crore [5]

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam (transl.Undivided 2: Thaandavam ) is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language fantasy action thriller film written and directed by Boyapati Sreenu. [6] [7] [8] The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Samyuktha Menon, Aadhi Pinisetty and Harshaali Malhotra in important roles. [9] [10] It is a sequel to the 2021 film Akhanda . [11]

Contents

The film has music composed by Thaman S, cinematography handled by C Ramprasad and editing by Tammiraju.It was released on 12 December 2025 in 3D and 2D formats and received mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

After the events of first film, peace is once again threatened by powerful forces seeking to destabilize the nation through spiritual and biological warfare. When a deadly bioweapon attack is launched targeting the massive crowds at the Maha Kumbh Mela, panic spreads across India. Scientists race against time to develop an antidote that can save millions of lives, with Dr. Janani — a brilliant young scientist — taking the lead and successfully creating a vaccine.

However, enemies intent on exploiting this discovery begin to target Janani and her work, forcing her into danger. At this critical juncture, Akhanda Rudra Sikandar Aghora, a powerful Aghori warrior with divine strength, re-emerges to protect her and confront these threats. Simultaneously, his twin brother Murali Krishna becomes involved in the escalating conflict. Together, they face both human and mystical adversaries who seek to harness occult power and biological warfare for their own gain.

As the threat grows, Akhanda navigates battlefields, spiritual arenas, and border conflicts, combining intense combat with ritualistic and mystical elements. He must thwart plans to unleash further destruction upon the nation while upholding the ideals of faith and righteousness. Throughout the struggle, Akhanda’s divine resolve and martial prowess emerge as pivotal forces in countering both external aggression and internal decay.

In the climax, Akhanda confronts the masterminds behind the chaos, defending Janani and her vaccine, and restores a measure of peace. His victory symbolizes the endurance of spiritual strength and national unity against overwhelming odds, reinforcing the bond between humanity’s physical survival and its metaphysical faith.

Cast

Production

Development

After the massive success of Akhanda (2021), director Boyapati Sreenu confirmed in early 2024 that a sequel was in development. [12] The film was officially announced as BB4 on the occasion of Nandamuri Balakrishna, as it marks the fourth collaboration between Balakrishna and Boyapati. [13]

On 25 January 2025, the team officially announced Samyuktha as the female lead. On 2 February 2025, makers announced Aadhi Pinisetty as Antagonist opposite Balakrishna. On 2 July 2025, Harshaali Malhotra were announced to be on board, marking her debut in Telugu cinema. [14] [15]

Filming

The film was officially launched with a muhurtham shot on 16 October 2024 in Hyderabad. [16] Principal photography began in 2024 with major schedules shot in Hyderabad, Himalayas and Kumbh Mela. [17] [18] [19] In mid-2025, the team filmed key sequences in Georgia. [20]

The film shooting wrapped up on August first week in Thiruvannamalai. [21] and Balakrishna completed dubbing for his role in 29 August 2025. [22]

Marketing

The film teaser was released on 9 June 2025, on the occasion of Balakrishna's birthday. [23] [24]

Music

Akhanda 2
Soundtrack album by
Released30 November 2025
Recorded2024–25
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length31:22
LanguageTelugu
Label Aditya Music
Thaman S chronology
Telusu Kada
(2025)
Akhanda 2
(2025)
The RajaSaab
(2025)
External audio
Nuvola apps arts.svg Audio Jukebox on YouTube

The soundtrack album and background score were composed by Thaman S. [25] [26]

The first single titled "The Thaandavam" was released on 14 November 2025 in Mumbai. [27] The second single titled "Jajikaaya Jajikaaya" was released on 18 November 2025. [28]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Akhanda Thandavam"Kalyan ChakravarthySarvepalli Sisters2:30
2."Gangadhara Shankara"Adviteeya Vojjala S. Aishwarya, S. Soundarya, Sruthi Ranjani3:42
3."Shiva Shiva"Kalyan ChakravarthyGotte Kanakavva, Sruthi Ranjani4:04
4."Hara Hara"Kalyan Chakravarthy S. P. Charan, Sri Krishna 4:29
5."Shankara Shankara"Kalyan ChakravarthyV. M. Mahalingam, Divya Kumar, Deepak Blue, Arun Kaundinya3:46
6."Shambho"Adviteeya VojjalaAdviteeya Vojjala, S. Aishwarya, S. Soundarya2:52
7."Akhanda Haindhavam"Naga Gurunaatha SharmaSarvepalli Sisters2:48
8."The Thaandavam"Kalyan Chakravarthy Shankar Mahadevan, Kailash Kher, Deepak Blue4:03
9."Jajikaaya Jajikaaya" Kasarla Shyam Brijesh Shandilya, Shreya Ghoshal 3:07
Total length:31:22

Release

Theatrical

Akhanda 2 was released on 12 December 2025. [29] It was initially set for release on 5 December 2025 but was postponed due to a stay order from the Madras High Court, [30] following a petition filed by Eros International against 14 Reels Plus Entertainment over a financial dispute. [31] [32] The Madras High Court has granted permission for its release since the dues have been cleared. [33]

Home media

The digital streaming rights of the film are acquired by Netflix for five languages.

Reception

Critical Reception

T. Maruthi Acharya of India Today rated the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "If you walk in expecting logic, you will leave disappointed. If you walk in expecting loudness, divinity, explosions, and a man fighting an entire army with a trishul — then Boyapati has delivered exactly what he promised." [34] Jalapathy Gudelli of Telugucinema.com wrote, "Apart from a couple of moments in the second half and Balakrishna’s riveting performance, “Akhanda 2” struggles to make an impact. Is it anywhere close to the first Akhanda? Not at all. It has devotional elements but lacks emotional connect." [35]

A critic from Sakshi Post rated the film 2/5 stars and wrote, "Akhanda 2: Thaandavam is a disappointing sequel that leans heavily on Balakrishna’s performance and Thaman’s music to stay afloat. The weak writing, predictable narrative, and underdeveloped characters make it a loud but hollow experience." [36] Suresh Kavirayani of Cinema Express wrote, "It wants to be devotional, patriotic, mythological, and mass-heavy all at once. In trying to achieve everything, it spreads itself thin and ends up offering very little that feels cohesive, original, or emotionally gripping." [37]

A critic from Telugu Vaadi TV, Mandava Sai Kumar, rated the film 4/5 stars and wrote, "Akhanda 2 delivers a strong mass-action experience with intense elevation scenes powerful performances and a dominating screen presence from Balakrishna. The background score and visuals elevate the movie, making it a highly satisfying entertainer for mass audiences." [38]

Box Office

Akhanda 2 grossed 32.75 crore (US$3.9 million) domestically, inclusive of 9 crore (US$1.1 million) from paid previews and 7.5 crore (US$890,000) overseas on it's first day for a total of 40.25 crore (US$4.8 million). [39] On it's second day the collections dropped by

References

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