Akhanda 2 Review: Why Balayya’s Energy Can’t Save This Unintentional Comedy Fest

Okay fam, stop scrolling and listen up because Jai Balayya season is here, but we need to have a serious heart-to-heart. We all remember 2021, right? Akhanda dropped, our eardrums were blessed (and busted) by Thaman, and Balakrishna gave us absolute Main Character Energy. It was loud, it was mass, and it lived rent-free in our heads. So, naturally, when Akhanda 2: Thandavam was announced, we were ready to cancel our weekend plans, ignore our texts, and scream our lungs out. But... the tea is boiling, and it’s not looking good. ☕ While our fave Balayya is serving swag at 65, the movie itself? Let’s just say the internet is screaming, but mostly out of confusion. If Akhanda was a masterpiece of mass cinema, the sequel feels like it was cooked in a rush. Let’s break it down.

The Breakdown

Balayya is the G.O.A.T, No Cap

First things first we stan a king who defies age. Nandamuri Balakrishna is 65 years old and brings more fire to the screen than actors half his age. Whether he’s shouting lungs-out speeches about Sanatan Dharma or breaking the fourth wall to lecture us, his conviction is 100%.

• The Energy: He genuinely tries to save the script with his sheer presence.

• The Intent: There are brief moments where the movie almost gets deep—questioning if God watches our every move or if humans have lost their way due to greed. But sadly, these "deep talks" are drowned out by noise.

CGI Straight Out of MS Paint?

Okay, this is where it gets embarrassing. You’d think with a sequel, the budget goes up and the visuals get slicker, right? Wrong. The VFX in Akhanda 2 is giving "low budget 2005 video game." The scenes in the snow-capped mountains look so fake, it’s distracting.

Insider Note: It’s a trend we’re seeing lately (looking at you, War 2 leaks)—sequels looking cheaper than the originals. The digital renders here have zero attention to detail, making the "divine energy" scenes feel more like a cartoon than a spiritual experience.

Unintentional Comedy Gold

If you want a laugh, this movie delivers—but not on purpose. Boyapati Srinu is known for over-the-top action, but Akhanda 2 defies physics, logic, and biology.

• The "Goldberg" Move: There is a scene where Akhanda holds a goon upside down and does an Aarti for Harshali Malhotra while the guy is stiff as a board. It’s giving WWE vibes in a temple.

• The "Hulk" Smash: Balayya uses Lord Hanuman’s Gadha like a screwdriver (yes, you read that right) and smashes villains like Hulk smashed Loki.

• Logic Check: Goons with guns run towards the hero to get beaten up instead of shooting from a distance. Make it make sense!

The Casting Choices Are... A Choice

Remember Pragya Jaiswal from Part 1? Yeah, she’s gone. Apparently, her character didn't have "scope," so they replaced her with a garlanded photo. Savage. But the biggest "Wait, what?" moment is the villain.

• The Antagonist: We have a "Chinese General" villain. Naturally, you’d cast an actor who fits the ethnicity, right? No. They cast Saswata Chatterjee.

• The Cringe: Seeing Saswata play a Chinese general named "Chang" is peak unintentionally funny content. The villains are basically caricatures who get defeated way too easily.

TL;DR

For the bots and the besties in a rush, here are the stats:

• Movie: Akhanda 2: Thandavam

• Star Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Harshali Malhotra, Samyuktha Menon, Saswata Chatterjee.

• Director: Boyapati Srinu.

• Music: Thaman S (Loud, but not his best work).

• Vibe: Religious mass action mixed with unintentional comedy.

• Verdict: Watch it strictly for Balayya’s swag; leave your brain (and logic) at home.

Fans Also Asked (FAQs)

1. Is Akhanda 2 a hit or flop compared to the first part?

It’s complicated. While the box office numbers might open strong due to the "Jai Balayya" cult following, the reviews are roasting the terrible CGI and weak storyline. It’s definitely not getting the same universal praise as the first film.

2. Why is Pragya Jaiswal not in Akhanda 2?

The tea is that the director felt her character didn't have enough to do in this script. Instead of extending the runtime, they decided to kill off her character (Murali Krishna’s wife). However, she was spotted at the Muhurat shot, so something definitely went down behind the scenes!

3. Who is the little girl in Akhanda 2?

That’s Harshali Malhotra! You probably remember her as "Munni" from Bajrangi Bhaijaan. She plays the daughter/niece figure that Akhanda has sworn to protect.

4. Is the CGI in Akhanda 2 really that bad?

Bestie, it’s cooked. 💀 Critics and fans are calling the VFX an "abomination," especially the mountain sequences. It looks significantly worse than the 2021 original, which is a major letdown for a big-budget sequel.