Akhanda 2 Review: I had planned to watch Akhand 2 in Hindi. That was the plan from day one. Balakrishna dubbed it himself, and honestly, that alone was reason enough. But reality had other ideas. Hindi shows were barely there, most got cancelled, and in the end, I had no choice but to watch the Telugu version.
And not just Telugu, Telugu 3D.
I didn’t want 3D. I never asked for 3D. But there I was, wearing those glasses, hoping for the best. What I got instead was one of the worst 3D viewing experiences I’ve had in a theatre.
For almost half the film, scenes looked double whether the glasses were on or off. People shouted. A few argued with the staff. Eventually, everyone just gave up and adjusted because it was a late-night show. The theatre blamed the print. The print blamed… well, no one took responsibility.
So yes, my experience was already shaky before the film even found its footing.
My Rating: 2.5/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Title | Akhanda 2: Thaandavam |
| Lead Actor | Nandamuri Balakrishna |
| Director | Boyapati Srinu |
| Genre | Action, Drama, Mass Entertainer |
| Language | Telugu (Dubbed in Hindi) |
| Runtime | Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Music Director | S. S. Thaman |
Let’s Talk About the Akhanda 2 Film Itself
The makers knew exactly why the first Akhand worked. It wasn’t the story. It wasn’t the logic. It was the climax high, that sudden burst of mass elevation that actually landed.
Instead of building toward that again, Akhand 2 tries to repeat that same high over and over, starting from the interval all the way to the climax. Same tone. Same template. Same kind of scenes, just rearranged.
And that’s where the Akhanda 2 starts to fall flat. When everything is loud, nothing feels powerful. The first half is dull. Plain and simple. Nothing really pulls you in.
And when the second half begins, instead of escalating, it just keeps circling the same emotional and action beats until they stop working altogether. I wasn’t looking for logic or layered writing. I came for mass entertainment. Even that didn’t fully arrive.
What Actually Worked for Me
There are moments that stand out — and they’re worth mentioning.
- The interval block genuinely works. It gives you that “okay, now we’re talking” feeling.
- There’s a helicopter blade sequence that’s visually striking and well-staged.
- The mother angle in the second half, especially one reveal tied to it, actually landed emotionally.
- Balakrishna himself has a few scenes where his expressions do the heavy lifting — especially one turning moment connected to the mother subplot. That scene was solid.
But here’s the problem: in a 2-hour 45-minute film, I’m counting moments on my fingers. That’s not a good sign.
Where the Akhanda 2 Loses Control
The movie never commits to one direction. One moment, it’s about a massive national crisis. Next, it’s deep into emotional drama. Then suddenly, we’re back to loud action and monologues.
There’s no proper flow. The focus keeps drifting. Balakrishna’s long monologues sound powerful on paper, but in execution, they feel recycled, like listening to dramatic social media posts read out loud. There’s no fresh thought behind them, no strong directorial perspective pushing them forward.
Even thematically, the Akhanda 2 film contradicts itself. Early on, we’re told India stands strong because of faith, culture, and belief. Cut to the next section, and one incident plus a TV debate is enough to shake that faith instantly. That shift needed time, space, and buildup. Instead, it feels rushed and convenient.
Supporting Cast and Production Issues
This is where things really dip. The supporting performances are weak, almost distractingly so. Some scenes that are meant to be serious end up unintentionally funny.
Samyuktha Menon’s character feels especially underused. It genuinely feels like the character exists just to justify a song sequence — and once that’s done, her role is basically over.
Production-wise, the Akhanda 2 film struggles.
- VFX looks unfinished in multiple scenes
- Action continuity breaks are obvious
- Certain flashy edits in the climax feel completely out of place
There’s a moment involving masked characters where cuts are so abrupt that it feels like you’re watching different scenes stitched together.
Also Read: Dhurandhar Review: Forget Salaar — Dhurandhar Is the Real Gangland Beast
Music: A Missed Opportunity
SS Thaman’s background score is one of the film’s biggest letdowns. It’s loud. Constantly loud.
When music doesn’t breathe, it stops elevating anything. There are chants, shlokas, and lyrical elements buried so deep under noise that you can’t even process them. Instead of adding impact, the score becomes exhausting.
Performances: Balakrishna vs Everyone Else
Balakrishna does his part. His screen presence is still strong, especially in the Akhand avatar. His dialogue delivery remains a major plus. But a mass hero can only carry things so far.
When the surrounding performances don’t support him, and the writing doesn’t build properly, even his strongest moments lose their punch.
Good & Bad In Akhanda 2
| What Works | What Doesn’t |
|---|---|
| Balakrishna’s screen presence | Weak supporting performances |
| Interval block | Flat first half |
| A few standout action moments | Overuse of the same elevation template |
| Mother subplot reveal | Poor VFX and continuity issues |
| Some emotional beats | Loud, ineffective background score |
| Self-dubbed Hindi effort (concept-wise) | Underwritten female characters |
Final Verdict On Akhanda 2
Akhand 2: Taandavam had a better idea level than the first film. But execution? That’s where it slips. It tries too hard to recreate the same high without earning it. The film keeps shouting instead of building. It keeps pushing instead of pulling you in.
I went in wanting fun. I wanted those moments where the theatre explodes with whistles and claps. That barely happened. If you’re a die-hard Balakrishna fan, you might still find moments to enjoy. But if you’re expecting consistent mass entertainment, this one doesn’t quite deliver.
That’s my honest, theatre-seat opinion. If you’ve watched the Akhanda 2 film, I’m genuinely curious — did it work for you, or did you feel the same fatigue?