Movie Name : Akhanda 2 Thaandavam
Release Date : Dec 12, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Nandamuri Balakrishna, Samyuktha, Aadhi Pinisetty, Harshaali Malhotra, Saswata Chatterjee and Others
Director : Boyapati Sreenu
Producers : Raam Achanta, Gopi Achanta
Music Director : Thaman S
Cinematographers : C Ramprasad, Santoshh D Detakae
Editor : Tammiraju
Related Links : Trailer
Nandamuri Balakrishna’s latest Telugu release Akhanda 2: Thaandavam arrives as the direct sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Akhanda, directed by Boyapati Sreenu. The film was initially scheduled to release last Friday (Dec 5) but was postponed due to financial issues at the last minute. With the problems now resolved, the movie has finally reached theatres in multiple languages in both 2D and 3D. Here is our review of how the film has shaped up on the big screen.
Story:
The Tibetan army launches a biowarfare operation against India and selects the Maha Kumbh Mela as the starting point to spread chaos across the nation. As the situation worsens, the Prime Minister instructs DRDO to develop an antidote immediately. Scientist Janani (Harshaali Malhotra) succeeds in creating it, but the enemy begins to hunt her. At this point, Akhanda (Balakrishna), who once promised to return whenever she faced danger, reappears. The way he protects Janani, thwarts the biowar, and restores dharma in the country forms the core of the story.
Plus Points:
Balakrishna dominates the screen as Akhanda. His dialogue delivery, screen presence, and conviction form the strongest pillar of the film.
Harshaali Malhotra delivers a decent performance in her key role. Samyuktha has limited scope but tries something slightly different from her regular portrayals.
The action sequences are designed to please mass audiences and succeed in doing so. They offer energetic moments even when logic is secondary. A standout emotional stretch in the second half features the appearance of Lord Shiva and adds spiritual weight to the narrative.
Thaman’s background score is one of the film’s most valuable assets. His compositions elevate action and emotional scenes and often enhance moments that would otherwise feel routine. Supporting actors do their part within the space provided.
Minus Points:
Akhanda 2 lacks a strong story base. The plot is simple, and Boyapati Sreenu focuses mainly on presenting Balakrishna in a heroic light. This approach leaves several narrative elements underdeveloped.
Balakrishna’s Bala Murali Krishna role receives less screen time than the antagonist. Many characters are introduced, yet only a few are used effectively. Aadhi Pinisetty entertains in his limited presence, while Samyuktha’s arc is not so impressive and occasionally illogical.
Harshaali Malhotra’s character has untapped potential, and her dubbing feels inconsistent. The emotional connection between Akhanda and her could have been explored more deeply. Several characters appear without contributing meaningfully to the story.
The core plot resembles the first film, and the writing in Akhanda was relatively stronger.
Technical Aspects:
Boyapati sticks to his familiar style that prioritises entertainment over logic. Some scenes are executed neatly, while others feel uneven. The film still maintains a steady pace without major dull moments.
The cinematography by C. Ramprasad and Santosh Detake is competent, particularly in the action portions. Tammiraju’s editing is crisp. Thaman delivers the standout technical work through his impactful score. The production values are solid and the film looks grand on screen.
Verdict:
On the whole, Akhanda 2 is a watchable devotional action drama that relies heavily on Balakrishna’s commanding performance as Akhanda. The story is predictable and several character arcs lack depth, but the music, action blocks, and a few emotional moments keep the film engaging. It is slightly less engaging than the first part, yet it still works as a functional mass entertainer with moments that fans are likely to enjoy.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
