The festive season of Sankranti 2026 has brought with it a cinematic spectacle that is equal parts mass entertainment and musical nostalgia. While the roaring success of Megastar Chiranjeevi’s latest outing, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, is dominating box office headlines, a specific musical interlude has captured the hearts of cinephiles across language barriers. The film, directed by the hit-machine Anil Ravipudi, features a delightful homage to the past: the inclusion of the legendary track “Sundari Kannal Oru Seithi” from the 1991 cult classic Thalapathi.
In an industry where the unauthorized use of classic compositions often leads to legal entanglements and public spats, Ravipudi has taken a refreshingly professional route. The director explicitly clarified that the production house, Shine Screens, obtained official permission and approval from the legendary composer Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja before incorporating the melody into the film’s narrative and promotional material.
A Timeless Classic Revisited
To understand the weight of this inclusion, one must rewind to 1991. The song “Sundari Kannal Oru Seithi,” composed by Ilaiyaraaja for Mani Ratnam’s Thalapathi, is not merely a track; it is an emotion. Originally picturized on Superstar Rajinikanth and Shobana, and rendered by the immortal voices of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, the song is a masterpiece of orchestration, blending traditional percussion with a sweeping orchestral arrangement that only Ilaiyaraaja could conjure.
For decades, the song has stood as a benchmark for romantic ballads. Its sudden resurgence in a 2026 Telugu commercial potboiler starring Chiranjeevi—Rajinikanth’s professional rival and personal friend for over four decades—adds a layer of meta-nostalgia that fans are devouring. The song features in a key sequence of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, elevating the chemistry between Chiranjeevi and his leading lady, Nayanthara, while simultaneously tipping its hat to the golden era of South Indian cinema.
The Copyright Conversation
The context of this permission is significant. In recent years, Ilaiyaraaja has been famously protective of his intellectual property, asserting his legal rights over his compositions against various film producers and concert organizers. This has led to a cautious atmosphere in the industry regarding the use of his vast library of hits.
Anil Ravipudi, known for his pulse on the audience’s heartbeat, addressed this directly during the film’s promotional tour. “We wanted to capture a specific vintage magic for a sequence in the movie,” Ravipudi stated. “There is no other song that fits the emotion like ‘Sundari.’ However, we were very clear that we would only proceed with the Maestro’s blessing. Our producers approached Ilaiyaraaja sir’s team, followed all due processes, and secured the license. It is a tribute from us to his genius.”
This move has been widely appreciated by industry insiders and music lovers alike, setting a precedent for how legacy intellectual property should be treated—with respect, legality, and artistic integrity.
The Mega-Victory Combo
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is not just making news for its music. The film marks a monumental collaboration in Telugu cinema. Alongside Chiranjeevi, who plays a national security officer turned house-husband, the film features a high-voltage extended cameo by Victory Venkatesh. The presence of these two titans of the 80s and 90s sharing screen space has turned theaters into stadiums.
The inclusion of the Thalapathi track serves as a bridge between these eras. It reminds the audience of a time when melody reigned supreme, even as the screen explodes with the high-octane comedy and action that is Ravipudi’s trademark. The film’s narrative, which balances family emotions with mass moments, provides the perfect playground for such musical experimentation.
Fan Frenzy and Social Media Buzz
Since the release of the trailer and subsequently the movie on January 12, 2026, social media has been abuzz with clips and reactions to the song. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), fans have been sharing the specific segment where the song appears, praising the seamless integration. The juxtaposition of Chiranjeevi’s signature grace with a tune associated with Rajinikanth has sparked “fan wars” of the healthiest kind—celebrating the legacy of both icons.
One viral tweet read: “Hearing Ilaiyaraaja’s magic in a Chiru movie in 2026 is the crossover we didn’t know we needed. Kudos to Anil Ravipudi for doing it legally and beautifully!”
A Musical Tapestry
While the film’s original score is composed by Bheems Ceciroleo, who has delivered a thumping commercial soundtrack, the Sundari track stands out as the film’s soul. It anchors the relationship between the lead characters, providing a respite from the fast-paced comedy. It proves that great music is timeless, transcending decades and languages.
The film also stars Catherine Tresa and Zarina Wahab in pivotal roles, but it is the “Mega” energy and the “Isaignani” melody that have become the talking points of the season.
Conclusion: Setting the Right Precedent
As Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu continues its record-breaking run, aiming for the ₹100 Crore club in its opening week, it leaves behind a valuable lesson for the industry. Nostalgia is a powerful tool, but it yields the best results when used ethically. By honoring the original creator, Ilaiyaraaja, Anil Ravipudi has ensured that the melody of “Sundari” rings true, without the jarring notes of legal controversy. For the audience, it is simply a double delight: the visual charisma of the Megastar and the auditory bliss of the Maestro.