Akhanda

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Akhanda (meaning “Undivided”) is a 2021 Telugu fantasy action drama co-written and directed by Boyapati Srinu and produced by Miryala Ravinder Reddy under Dwaraka Creations. Nandamuri Balakrishna plays twin brothers, with Pragya Jaiswal, Jagapathi Babu and Srikanth. Thaman S composed the music. Released on 2 December 2021, it drew mixed reviews but was a major box-office success, the biggest of Balakrishna’s career at the time. It was the third collaboration between Balakrishna and Boyapati after Simha and Legend, and was followed by a sequel, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, released on 12 December 2025.

What the story is about

A couple in Anantapur are blessed with twin sons, one of them stillborn. A mysterious Aghora tells them that one child represents nature and the other is a destructive force born of Shiva’s wrath, and takes the stillborn baby to Kashi, where it comes back to life and is raised by Aghoras. The brothers grow up apart: Murali Krishna becomes a much-loved local leader, while Akhanda lives as a secluded devotee of Shiva. When a ruthless mining operation and its powerful backers put Murali and his family in danger, his long-lost brother returns. The film is built around that return and the battles that follow.

Cast

• Nandamuri Balakrishna as Akhanda and Murali Krishna
• Pragya Jaiswal as Saranya, an IAS officer and Murali’s wife
• Jagapathi Babu as an Aghora Baba
• Srikanth as Varadarajulu, the owner of a copper mine
• Nithin Mehta as Gajendra Sahu, with Poorna, Avinash and Subbaraju in supporting roles

How it was made

The film was launched in Hyderabad in December 2019 under the working titles BB3 and NBK106, and the title Akhanda was revealed in April 2021. Pragya Jaiswal replaced the originally cast lead actress and joined a 33-day first schedule in Hyderabad, Tamil Nadu and Goa; she told The Times of India she studied real-life women police officers for the role. Shooting began in March 2020, was halted by the pandemic, and resumed in July 2021, with climax fights shot in Tamil Nadu and songs in Goa; filming wrapped in October 2021. Action director Stunt Siva, who replaced Ram-Laxman, told Namasthe Telangana that 65 of his 80 days on the film went into the action sequences.

Music

Thaman S composed the songs and score, with music rights held by Lahari Music. The singles were “Adigaa Adigaa”, the “Akhanda Title Song” and “Jai Balayya”. Some reviewers found the background score relentlessly loud.

Release and box office

Planned for 28 May 2021, the film was delayed by the pandemic to 2 December 2021. The Times of India reported ₹20.8 crore from the Telugu states on the first day, and it grossed more than $500,000 in the United States within two days. Wikipedia’s figures for its final worldwide gross differ (the article cites both about ₹133 crore and over ₹150 crore), so we do not settle on one. Telangana Today reported that it completed 50 days in 103 centres. It was shown in the Indian Panorama mainstream section at the 53rd International Film Festival of India, and later won the Telangana Gaddar Award for Second Best Feature Film.

What critics said

The Hans India called it Balakrishna’s “one man show” and “a mass treat” for fans, while criticising the predictable plot. Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India found the premise interesting but felt Boyapati “soon loses the plot” in pursuit of mass moments, and Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu found it tiresome after the interval. The Indian Express called it “an assault on the senses”, and Cinema Express was similarly negative.

Where to watch Akhanda

Akhanda premiered on Disney+ Hotstar (now JioHotstar) on 21 January 2022, and Wikipedia notes it became the most-watched regional film on OTT platforms at the time; Star Maa holds the television rights. A Hindi-dubbed version was released in cinemas on 20 January 2023. Availability varies by country, so check the platform before subscribing. The OTT box on this page has the details we hold.

Sources: the Wikipedia article on Akhanda and the reviews and reports it cites, linked above; Wikidata; our own cast, crew and OTT records.