Nandamuri Balakrishna's highly anticipated film, Akhanda 2, has stormed into theaters, making a significant impact on its opening day. Early estimates suggest the film has collected ₹30 crore on its first day, surpassing the opening day collection of Balakrishna's previous movie, Daaku Maharaaj.
Akhanda 2, directed by Boyapati Sreenu, is a sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Akhanda, with Balakrishna reprising his dual roles. The film continues the storyline from where the original ended, exploring the connection between children's innocence, the natural world, and spiritual faith as communities strive for progress. Alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna, the film also stars Samyuktha Menon, Aadhi Pinisetty, and Harshaali Malhotra.
The film's opening day performance is largely attributed to the strong response in the Telugu-speaking states. The Telugu version of the film has contributed a significant portion of the total earnings, raking in ₹29.5 crore. Other language versions, including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam, have contributed minimally to the overall collection. According to Sacnilk, Akhanda 2 earned ₹22 crore on its first day, with ₹8 crore coming from pre-release screenings.
Despite mixed to negative reviews, Akhanda 2 has managed to attract a large audience to theaters. The film recorded healthy occupancy rates throughout the day in Telugu-speaking regions, with evening shows reaching approximately 60%.
In the USA, Akhanda 2 also generated considerable buzz, surpassing Daaku Maharaaj in terms of ticket sales for premiere shows. Akhanda 2 sold 15,517 tickets across 687 shows at 216 locations, while Daaku Maharaaj sold 14,818 tickets. However, the film's premiere pre-sales collection in the USA fell short of Daaku Maharaaj due to comparatively lower ticket prices. Akhanda 2 grossed $275,863, while Daaku Maharaaj grossed $354,797.
Akhanda 2's release was initially scheduled for December 5, 2025, but was postponed due to a stay order from the Madras High Court. The film finally hit theaters on December 12, 2025.
With a production budget of ₹200 crore, Akhanda 2 is one of the most expensive films in Nandamuri Balakrishna's career. The film's digital rights have been acquired by Netflix in five languages, paving the way for a grand post-theatrical release.
Akhanda 2's box office performance indicates a strong opening and a potential for a successful run, driven primarily by the popularity of Nandamuri Balakrishna and the Akhanda franchise in the Telugu-speaking regions.
