The much-anticipated sequel 'Akhanda 2: Thaandavam' is experiencing a severe slowdown in its theatrical run, with its box office collections dwindling to a trickle. The film, which opened with considerable fanfare, is now inching forward at a snail's pace, raising questions about its ability to cross the coveted Rs 100 crore mark in India net collections.
Steep Decline in Daily Collections
The fourth Saturday, which was Day 23 of its release, brought in a meager Rs 25 lakh in India net, according to early estimates. This figure mirrors the disappointing performance of the previous day, indicating a complete lack of momentum. The total India net collection now stands at approximately Rs 93.65 crores. The film's journey after a strong opening has been marked by a sharp and sustained drop in audience turnout.
Alarming Weekly Drop and Theatre Occupancy
Data from industry trackers paints a clear picture of the decline. After 22 days, 'Akhanda 2' had earned around Rs 93.40 crores. Its third-week collection was a mere Rs 4.1 crores, representing a massive 66.67 percent drop compared to its earlier weeks. The occupancy rates in Telugu-speaking regions on January 03, 2026, were alarmingly low.
The overall Telugu occupancy for that day was just 18.42%. The breakdown of shows reveals the struggle:
- Morning shows: 13.64% occupancy
- Afternoon shows: 20.84% occupancy
- Evening shows: 17.74% occupancy
- Night shows: 21.45% occupancy
These numbers underscore the film's failure to attract audiences beyond its core fanbase in its fourth week.
Cast, Crew, and Critical Reception
Directed by Boyapati Srinu, 'Akhanda 2: Thaandavam' stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead, supported by Samyuktha, Aadhi Pinisetty, Harshaali Malhotra, Kabir Duhan Singh, and Saswata Chatterjee in pivotal roles. The critical response has been mixed, focusing on its scale versus substance.
A review highlighted that while the sequel delivers on scale and has a few impactful moments, it "struggles to recreate the gripping emotional core and narrative tightness that made Akhanda click." The verdict suggested the film is a "grand yet uneven sequel" that is ambitious and loud but inconsistent, primarily recommended for Balakrishna loyalists who enjoy mass action and can overlook repetitive storytelling.
The film's current trajectory suggests that reaching the Rs 100 crore milestone will be an uphill battle, achieved only through a painfully slow crawl rather than a strong sprint. The box office story of 'Akhanda 2' serves as a case study of how even big-ticket sequels with popular stars can lose steam if they fail to engage audiences beyond the initial hype.
