Legal Dispute Halts Akhanda 2 Release
The highly anticipated release of the Telugu action drama film, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, has been indefinitely postponed. The move, coming just hours before its scheduled worldwide premiere, has disappointed legions of fans who were eagerly awaiting the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster. While the production team initially cited “unavoidable circumstances” and “technical issues” for the cancellation of India-based premiere shows, the core reason for the halt appears to be a major financial and legal dispute.
Reports confirm that the Madras High Court issued an injunction, effectively restraining the release, distribution, and commercial exploitation of the film. This legal block stems from a long-standing arbitration case involving the film’s producer group. Specifically, the order was granted in favor of Eros International Media Limited, which holds an arbitral award and money decree of approximately ₹28 crore against 14 Reels Entertainment Private Limited.
Eros International argued in court that 14 Reels Plus LLP, the entity producing Akhanda 2, is related to the original debtor, 14 Reels Entertainment. They alleged that releasing the new film through this associated company was an attempt to circumvent payment of the legally determined debt and avoid compliance with the financial obligations arising from previous films. After marathon submissions and review, the Division Bench of the High Court ruled to grant the injunction.
This decision means that the film, directed by Boyapati Sreenu, cannot proceed with its release on any platform—theatrical, digital, or satellite—until the producers secure a clear resolution from the court. The sudden postponement and the legal reason behind it sent shockwaves across the Telugu film industry, highlighting how unresolved financial issues from past projects can unexpectedly disrupt even major, highly-hyped theatrical releases.
The production house, 14 Reels Plus, issued a heartfelt public apology to the fans on social media, acknowledging the “painful moment” and the disappointment caused. They assured fans that they are working “tirelessly to resolve the matter at the earliest” and promised to share a positive update very soon. This statement confirms the urgency and gravity of the situation as the makers attempt to negotiate a settlement or secure a favorable order to lift the ban.
The financial entanglement has overshadowed the massive commercial potential of the sequel, which had already generated significant pre-release buzz. The film features Samyuktha Menon, Aadhi Pinisetty, and Harshaali Malhotra alongside Balakrishna, and the makers are now focused entirely on clearing the financial hurdle to bring the movie to the big screen, where it is widely expected to be a box office success.
