Akhanda 2: Thaandavam Movie Details, Ratings & OTT Release

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam is the 2025 Telugu fantasy action thriller directed and written by Boyapati Sreenu, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna in a powerful dual role. A direct sequel to the 2021 hit Akhanda, the film blends high-impact fight sequences with themes of devotion, conflict, and national threat. After facing early release setbacks due to legal and financial disputes, the film finally reached theaters on 12 December 2025 in both 2D and 3D formats, drawing strong attention from fans and critics alike. While its visuals and action moments impressed many, critical reaction has been mixed, making this one of the most discussed Telugu films of the year.

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

In Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, you follow Akhanda Rudra Sikandar Aghora and his twin Murali Krishna as they confront a massive threat to national safety. The story unfolds when scientists discover a dangerous biological weapon linked to enemies of India that could trigger chaos during a major cultural event. Akhanda, driven by unwavering conviction, takes on this mission with ruthless determination — confronting adversaries, mystical forces, and deep conspiracies. This film shifts its focus from personal vendettas to larger consequences for the nation, making it heavier in thematic weight compared to the first installment.

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam Cast & Roles

Nandamuri Balakrishna – Akhanda Rudra Sikandar Aghora / Murali Krishna:

Balakrishna anchors the film in dual roles. Akhanda is a fierce, almost mythic figure who confronts threats head-on with sheer force and conviction. Murali Krishna represents a calmer counterpart, adding emotional balance and narrative contrast.

Samyuktha Menon – Scientist Janani:

Janani is a lead scientist caught in the center of the conflict, tasked with navigating the biological crisis. Her role supports the plot’s scientific angle, though her screen time feels limited compared to her importance.

Aadhi Pinisetty – Principal Antagonist:

Aadhi plays the main nemesis whose motivations challenge Akhanda’s ideology. His presence raises tension and conflict but the character lacks depth in emotional range.

Harshaali Malhotra:

Appearing in emotionally charged segments tied to the scientist’s mission, her performance adds a human touch to the grand narrative.

Supporting Cast (Kabir Duhan Singh, Saswata Chatterjee, Sangay Tsheltrim, Ronson Vincent, Viji Chandrasekar):
These actors fill out the world with roles that range from adversarial forces to allies in the larger battle.

Director & Producer

Director – Boyapati Sreenu
Boyapati Sreenu directs Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, bringing his signature style of high-octane action, dramatic dialogues, and mass appeal, similar to his earlier hits like Akhanda (2021).

Producers – Ram Achanta, Gopi Achanta & Ishan Saksena
Produced under 14 Reels Plus and IVY Entertainment, the producers managed the large-scale project, ensuring top-notch action sequences, visual effects, and smooth production despite earlier delays.

Music & Background Score

The music for Akhanda 2: Thaandavam is composed by Thaman S, bringing a blend of intense background tracks and thematic pieces that reflect the film’s dramatic beats. The score often amplifies tension during action sequences and spiritual moments, staying aligned with the movie’s strong emotional and thematic currents. While specific songs from the soundtrack are discussed among fans, the background score in theaters has been highlighted as one of the film’s memorable aspects

Box Office Performance

Despite mixed critical reception, the film enjoyed a strong theatrical launch:

• The movie released on 12 December 2025 after earlier delays.
• By the end of Day 6, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam collected approximately ₹74 crore net in India alone, showing consistent attendance in Telugu and dubbed markets.
• Advance bookings and paid premiere shows contributed to solid opening figures, especially in Telugu regions.

While initial collections were promising, the film’s momentum tapered slightly over weekdays — a pattern common for action films after opening weekends.

 Controversies & Release Challenges

The film’s release faced several issues:

• It was originally scheduled for 5 December 2025, but last-minute cancellations occurred due to production-side legal and financial disputes.
• Premiere shows on the originally scheduled date were cancelled, disappointing many ticket holders.
• Ticket pricing negotiations and regulatory responses occurred in states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, affecting plans for paid premieres and higher ticket rates just before release.

These factors contributed to uncertainty in the days leading up to the theatrical launch, but the film eventually opened widely on the revised date.

 Credible Critic Ratings & Reactions

The film has drawn divided responses from established media outlets and critics:

• The Indian Express rated it around 2.5/5 stars, noting that Balakrishna’s presence and early moments hold interest, but the film quickly loses cohesion.
• The Times of India highlighted its scale of action but pointed out a lack of compelling storytelling and emotional arcs.
• Aggregated reviews show mixed critical scores, with several reviewers giving below-average ratings, pointing to logic gaps and uneven pacing.
• India Today and Telugucinema.com critiqued the film for over-reliance on loud set-pieces and weak narrative structure, giving ratings generally around 2–2.5/5 stars.

Overall, while some viewers praise select action and devotional elements, critics agree that the story and character development are the film’s weakest aspects.

OTT Release Plans

After its theatrical window, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam is set to stream on Netflix, allowing audiences to watch the action drama digitally after cinemas. This is expected in early 2026. Fans are eagerly waiting to experience Balakrishna’s dual roles and the high-octane action from the comfort of their homes. The OTT release will also reach a wider audience, including international viewers who missed the theatrical screenings.

Conclusion

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam is a high-energy sequel that caters to fans of action-packed, mass-centric Telugu cinema. While the film excels in delivering spectacular fight sequences, devotional undertones, and Balakrishna’s commanding performance, it struggles with story cohesion and character depth, which critics have noted. Despite mixed reviews, the movie has achieved strong box office success and continues to generate buzz with its upcoming Netflix release, allowing a wider audience to experience its grandeur. Overall, the film is a thrilling watch for fans of larger-than-life action, even if it requires viewers to overlook certain narrative flaws.