Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2 Postponed Indefinitely Due to Court Injunction
The grand worldwide release of Nandamuri Balakrishna and director Boyapati Srinu’s much-awaited sequel, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, has been postponed indefinitely, sending shockwaves across the film fraternity and disappointing millions of fans. The film, which was set for a December 5th release, has been forced into a total blackout of theatrical, OTT, and satellite distribution due to a court order stemming from a major legal and financial dispute.
The production house, 14 Reels Plus, confirmed the sudden halt with a heartfelt statement, regretting that the film would not be releasing “due to unavoidable circumstances.” Their message acknowledged the “painful moment” for every fan and promised to share a “positive update very soon,” confirming that a new release date is yet to be finalized as they work to resolve the matter. The delay came mere hours after premiere shows in India were initially cancelled due to what the makers vaguely termed “technical issues.”
The ₹28 Crore Debt and the Madras High Court Order
The core issue behind the postponement is a long-standing financial obligation. The film’s release was dramatically blocked by an injunction from the Madras High Court, which acted on an appeal filed by Eros International Media Limited.
Eros is the award holder of an arbitral decree against 14 Reels Entertainment Private Limited (a related entity to the current producers, 14 Reels Plus LLP), amounting to approximately ₹28 Crore plus interest. This debt reportedly stems from financial agreements related to previous projects like Dookudu. The Division Bench ruled that the release of Akhanda 2 by the new entity would be an attempt to evade the financial obligation and thus prohibited any commercial exploitation of the film until the entire arbitral award, including interest, is cleared.
“The court’s decision has created a total blackout: NO theatre, NO OTT, NO satellite—until the ₹28 Crore plus interest is paid,” confirmed sources close to the development, underscoring the severity of the ruling.
Trade Chaos and Uncertain Outlook
The sudden, last-minute cancellation has created immense chaos in the film trade, leaving over 100,000 domestic ticket bookings and $300,000+ in US premiere sales in limbo. The enthusiastic response to the Balakrishna–Boyapati combination—a director-actor duo known for blockbusters like Simha, Legend, and Akhanda (2021)—had driven pre-release expectations to an all-time high.
Producers Ram Achanta and Gopi Achanta of 14 Reels Plus are reportedly in urgent negotiations with Eros to reach a settlement. There are reports suggesting a compromise is being worked out, with Balakrishna and Boyapati Srinu even agreeing to reduce their remuneration to help ease the financial burden. The next steps hinge entirely on the outcome of these ongoing negotiations and the court’s subsequent ruling. Until a positive resolution is announced, the Akhanda 2 release date remains indefinitely postponed, leaving fans with a heavy heart and the industry facing a massive unexpected roadblock.