On Wednesday, Geetha Arts announced that they are planning a re-release of the 2008 film Jalsa, on the occasion Pawan Kalyan’s birthday. The action comedy, which starred Pawan Kalyan, Ileana D’Cruz and Kamalinee Mukherjee in lead roles, will hit theatres again on September 2.

Directed by Trivikram, Jalsa revolves around Sanjay Sahu (Pawan Kalyan), an easy-going aerobics instructor who finds himself as the romantic pursuit of two women, Jo and Bhagi, at once. After seeing how Sanjay rejects Jo, Bhagi takes her time to carefully woo Sanjay, winning his affections. The story later takes an action-driven turn, where Sanjay is revealed to have a darker past than what appears on the surface.

Upon it’s release, the film set many boxoffice records at the time, including the highest opening ever for a Telugu film on day one, as well as the highest ever for a south Indian film in a single state. Jalsa was also the highest grossing Telugu film of 2008. Devi Sri Prasad’s soundtrack too became very popular, so did some of the comic scenes with Pawan, Ileana and Parvati. 

Jalsa was also the first Telugu film to have its own video game.

Incidentally, another of Pawan Kalyan’s early career days' hit Thammudu (1999) will also be re-released theatrically on September 2. Loosely inspired by Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992), Thammudu established Pawan Kalyan as a formidable force in Telugu industry, earning him great acclaim for his performance.