The highly anticipated release of "Akhanda 2: Thaandavam," starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, has been postponed indefinitely due to unforeseen circumstances. The film, directed by Boyapati Sreenu, was originally scheduled to hit theaters on December 5, 2025.
The production house, 14 Reels Plus, announced the postponement on Thursday evening, just hours before the scheduled premiere shows. In a statement released on social media, the makers expressed their regret, stating that the delay was due to "unavoidable circumstances". They acknowledged the disappointment of fans and movie lovers and assured them that they are working tirelessly to resolve the matter at the earliest.
While the production team cited "technical issues beyond their control" as one reason for the delay, reports suggest that a legal battle between Eros International Media Limited and 14 Reels Plus LLP is the primary cause. Eros International approached the Madras High Court regarding pending arbitration money owed to them by 14 Reels Entertainment for 11 years, amounting to ₹28 crore plus interest. The High Court subsequently issued an order preventing the release of "Akhanda 2" until the matter is resolved.
Adding to the uncertainty, Tirrupur Subraramanian, chairman of Sri Sakthi Cinemas in Tamil Nadu, provided an update stating that the makers and Balakrishna are doing their best to ensure the film's release. He mentioned a court case scheduled for the morning of December 5th, expressing hope that the issue would be resolved and the film would be released shortly thereafter.
The sudden postponement has created significant disruption, as many fans had already booked tickets for the premiere shows. The cancellation of screenings occurred region by region, and overseas distributors also reported issues. The Andhra Pradesh government had even approved a ticket price hike for the premiere shows, with tickets priced at Rs 600 inclusive of GST. For regular screenings, the ticket price for the first ten days was set at Rs 222.50 for single screens and Rs 277 for multiplexes.
"Akhanda 2: Thaandavam" is the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster "Akhanda," also directed by Boyapati Sreenu. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in a dual role, along with Samyuktha Menon, Aadhi Pinisetty, and Harshaali Malhotra. The music is composed by Thaman S.
Despite the setback, there is still optimism that "Akhanda 2" will be released soon. A Chennai theatre owner sparked fresh excitement by suggesting that the issues might be resolved and the film could release imminently. While the production house has not yet announced a new official release date, fans remain hopeful that the film will reach the big screen as planned.
