The Akhanda 2 pre-release event was held in Hyderabad on Friday night, attended by the entire cast and crew, with a massive crowd gathering for the occasion. During the event, Balakrishna offered a glimpse into the film’s storyline:
"If anyone tries to harm children or nature, God will manifest in a man — that was the essence of Akhanda. If someone rises above wrongdoing, that person can embody the divine to punish them. This is the story of Akhanda 2: Thandavam," Balakrishna explained.
The actor expressed gratitude for his enormous fan following, which allows him to explore a wide variety of roles. “Cinema has become a daily necessity in everyone’s life, so the people in the industry must think carefully about the kind of cinema they present,” he said. Balakrishna also shared a dialogue from the film, launched recently with director Gopichand Malineni:
"There are many people in history, but the one who rewrites and creates history again and again is only one. I am that history, and that history belongs to me."
Balakrishna credited his collaborations with talented technicians for the success of his films. “Cinema is a soul, and I want to capture it. I always think about my fans and audiences, aiming to deliver meaningful cinema. During the pandemic, when everyone was apprehensive, we released Akhanda, and it became a blockbuster. Telugu audiences once again proved that they support good cinema,” he said.
He spoke about the role of the Aghora in Akhanda 2, calling it “purely God’s wish.” “Director Boyapati Srinu and I discuss only briefly — sometimes just three minutes — before heading to the sets. I am like mercury and can adapt to any role. Today, I juggle multiple positions in my life: actor, MLA of Hindupur Constituency, and Chairman of Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital, all thanks to my parents and God’s blessings,” he added.
Balakrishna also emphasized his straightforward nature. “We visited Uttar Pradesh and met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He watched our trailer and some additional content from the film. Since the film talks about Sanatana Dharma, the Chief Minister congratulated us for showcasing it. Sanatana Dharma is the root of Bharath. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji’s army had Aghoras, and they fought valiantly,” he noted.
On his cinematic approach, he said, “I am like a Ugadi chutney — in my films, all rasas (emotions) are present. I am confident that Akhanda 2 will be a huge blockbuster.” He praised the work of the make-up and costume teams, saying, “For my look in this film, it takes two hours to apply make-up and one hour to remove it. I thank make-up artist Vidhi and costume designer Sanchari; they did a remarkable job.”
Balakrishna recalled filming in extremely cold and scenic locations. “I learned discipline from my father and always aim to complete my films without delay. I hope everyone in the industry follows the same principle,” he said.
He lauded Aadhi Pinisetty for his performance and shared that he had previously worked with Aadhi’s father, Ravi Raja Pinisetty, on two films. He also praised Samyuktha, clarifying that the recently released song is not an item number but a special song featured during a birthday sequence. Additionally, he appreciated the efforts of action choreographers Ram Lakhman and the cinematography team.
