Nandamuri Balakrishna's much-anticipated action spectacle, 'Akhanda 2: Thaandavam', has demonstrated remarkable staying power at the box office, continuing to draw audiences nearly a month after its release. The film, which faced a one-week delay from its original December 5 date due to legal hurdles, finally hit theatres on December 12 and has since been on a steady commercial run.
Steady Box Office Collections Post Strong Opening
According to early estimates reported by trade analyst Sacnilk, 'Akhanda 2' added approximately Rs 40 lakh to its total on its 24th day, which was a Sunday. This follows collections of Rs 30 lakh on Saturday and Rs 25 lakh on its 22nd day, indicating consistent audience interest during the weekend.
The film enjoyed a robust first week, amassing a total of Rs 76.75 crore. As is typical, collections saw a dip in the subsequent weeks. The second week added Rs 12.3 crore, while the third week contributed Rs 4.1 crore to the kitty. The current total worldwide collection for the Balakrishna-starrer stands at an impressive over Rs 94.1 crore.
Theatrical Occupancy Shows Sustained Demand
The film's performance is further highlighted by its theatre occupancy rates. On its 24th day (Sunday), 'Akhanda 2' recorded an overall Telugu occupancy of 21.04%. The day saw a healthy growth in viewership as it progressed.
The morning shows began with a 19.79% occupancy, which increased to 22.55% during the afternoon screenings. The evening shows witnessed the highest footfall with occupancy peaking at 24.50%, before tapering off to 17.30% for the night shows.
About the Film and Cast
'Akhanda 2' is the direct sequel to the 2021 blockbuster 'Akhanda', reuniting superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna with director Boyapati Srinu. In this high-octane mass entertainer, Balakrishna essays a dual role. He portrays the formidable Aghori warrior Akhanda Rudra Sikandar Aghora and his twin brother, Murali Krishna.
The film features a strong supporting cast including Samyuktha Menon, Aadhi Pinisetty, Harshaali Malhotra, Kabir Duhan Singh, and Saswata Chatterjee in pivotal roles.
Audience and Critical Reception
Upon its release, the film generated significant chatter on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Many viewers described the theatrical experience as "mad," noting that the movie largely follows the successful mass template established by the first 'Akhanda' and the classic collaboration style of Balakrishna and director Boyapati Srinu.
The film's ability to maintain collections nearly four weeks into its run, especially with decent weekend numbers, underscores its appeal among the core fanbase and general audiences seeking larger-than-life action cinema. The steady occupancy, particularly for evening shows, points towards sustained demand in its primary Telugu-speaking markets.
