Re-releasing old hit movies has become a trend in Tollywood. The idea is to bring back fan-favorite films to the big screen – not just for nostalgia, but also to make use of their lasting popularity. But in April 2025, most of these re-releases didn’t perform well at the box office. It’s clear that while memories matter, collections still count.
The month began with Aditya 369, one of Balakrishna’s most iconic films, re-releasing on April 4. Fans turned up in good numbers on the first day, hoping to relive the magic. But the buzz faded quickly, and the film struggled to pull audiences after the opening weekend. Despite its classic status, it didn’t do well commercially.
Allu Arjun’s Aarya 2 followed, and it stood out. The movie drew good crowds, thanks to its popular music and Allu Arjun’s growing fanbase. According to the team, it collected nearly Rs. 7 crore. If true, it was the only re-release in April that can be called a success.
On April 10, Falaknuma Das made its return to cinemas, but hardly anyone noticed. The film had a local cult following when it first came out, but this time there was little excitement. With Vishwak Sen currently going through a rough patch in his career, interest in the re-release was low – and so were the collections.
Ravi Teja’s Naa Autograph is a well-loved emotional film, and its re-release had some nostalgic value. However, it didn’t get much attention either. There was no major buzz, and only a limited audience showed up. It couldn’t make a mark at the box office.
Most recently, Bharat Ane Nenu, starring Mahesh Babu, was re-released on April 26. While the film was a major success during its original run, its return hasn’t gained much traction. Apart from fans, there isn’t much interest, and with new releases like HIT 3 and Retro arriving, BAN is likely to fade away quietly.
So, looking at April, most of the re-releases failed to strike a chord with the audience. It shows that bringing an old film back isn’t enough – timing, marketing, and current relevance also play a big role.
Now, all eyes are on May. Some big titles are lined up: Chiranjeevi’s Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (May 9), Allu Arjun’s Desamudhuru (May 10), Jr NTR’s Yamadonga (May 18), and Prabhas’ Varsham (May 23). These films have strong fan bases and emotional connect – let’s see if they can do better at the box office and bring back the glory of re-releases.