Movie Name: Akhanda 2: Thaandavam
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Samyuktha, Harshaali Malhotra, Kabir Duhan Singh, Aadhi Pinisetty, and others
Director: Boyapati Sreenu
Produced By: Ram Achanta, Gopi Achanta, and Ishan Saksena
Release Date: 5th December 2025
Akhanda 2 is the career’s biggest film for both Balakrishna and Boyapati Sreenu. After facing several issues right before its release, the film was finally released in theaters today with premieres las night. Let us find out how well this crazy sequel has been made.
Story:
The film picks up where the first “Akhanda” left off, centering on Scientist Janani (Harshaali Malhotra), daughter of Bala Murali Krishna (Balakrishna). She’s on a mission to create an antidote for a dangerous virus, facing numerous challenges along the way. Akhanda (Balakrishna) arrives to save her, ultimately protecting the country and fulfilling his promise to Janani.
Performances:
Balakrishna is outstanding and carries the whole film with his powerful screen presence, strong dialogue delivery, and solid performance. Samyuktha does well within her limited role, while Aadhi Pinisetty is unimpressive in an underwritten character. Harshaali Malhotra fits her role but doesn’t get any standout moments. Saswata Chatterjee, Kabir Duhan Singh, Sarvadaman Bannerjee, and the others are decent.
Analysis:
Boyapati Sreenu starts Akhanda 2 on a strong note by showing glimpses of the first part and creating a smooth continuation for the sequel. The trademark grand introduction of the hero and the setup of the villains work well.
The film then moves into some ordinary portions and becomes dull for a while. The daughter’s introduction is just okay, and Samyuktha’s scenes are not very effective. The “Jajikaya” song is decent, and just when the lag begins, the pre-interval episode lands strongly. The setup for Akhanda’s arrival is perfect, and this time he is presented almost like a divine force, delivering a massive high.
After such a powerful interval block, the second half begins well but soon shifts into an uneven narration. Boyapati includes three to four major episodes, including the climax.
The attempt to explain Sanatana Dharma is interesting at first but later becomes lengthy and preachy. Aadhi Pinisetty’s mysterious and cruel villain character fails to create the required threat and appears weak. The fight involving Lord Hanuman has a few strong moments. The climax, as expected, is filled with Boyapati’s signature over-the-top action, which will appeal to fans and mass audiences.
Positives:
- Balakrishna’s Screen Presence/Performance as Akhanda
- Interval Episode
- Second Half’s Initial Moments
- Climax Episode
Negatives:
- Inconsistency in the Screenplay
- Lack of a Proper Emotional Connection
- Overly Unrealistic Sequences
- Thaman’s Loud Background Score
Akhanda 2 Review and Verdict:
Akhanda 2 is an unrealistic and extremely over-the-top film from start to finish. It does have several powerful moments where Balakrishna shines. Though the film lacks strong emotional depth and some scenes feel too exaggerated, it can still be enjoyed if watched with the right expectations, especially for fans of the Balakrishna–Boyapati combination.
