“Akhanda 2” starring Nandamuri Balakrishna has run into major last-minute financial hurdles. Producers Ram Achanta and Gopi Achanta of 14 Reels Plus are facing unresolved dues related to their earlier projects. Despite this, they had confidently planned paid premiere shows in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
However, Eros International and local financiers objected to the release, demanding settlement of their pending payments or a financial guarantee. Eros even approached the Madras High Court, which subsequently ordered a halt to the release.
With local financiers also stepping in to reclaim their dues, the situation escalated.
Realizing that the issue cannot be resolved within hours, the makers have cancelled all scheduled paid premiere shows after securing permissions and promoting the plan until just a few hours ago.
Financial clearance hurdles were common a decade ago. But such a disruption for a big film touted as a pan-Indian release, especially one featuring the successful Balakrishna and Boyapati combination, is rare in recent times. Whether “Akhanda 2” will hit theaters in the domestic market tomorrow morning remains uncertain and the suspense continues.
Directed by Boyapati Sreenu, the film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna and Samyuktha in lead roles, with music composed by Thaman.
