Director: Boyapati Srinu
Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sayyeshaa, Harshaali Malhotra, Kabir Duhan Singh, Aadi Pinisetty
Music: Thaman S
Cinematography: C. Ram Prasad, Santosh D.
Art Direction: AS Prakash
Editing: Tammiraju
Action: Ram-Lakshman
Banner: 14 Reels Plus
Producers: Ram Achanta, Gopi Achanta
Release Date: December 12, 2025
Akhanda: Tandavam Review – The Spiritual Action Sequel Lands Without Impact
After the massive success of the 2021 spiritual action blockbuster Akhanda, the Balakrishna–Boyapati Srinu combination returned with its much-hyped sequel, Akhanda: Tandavam. Originally delayed due to financial and legal hurdles, the film finally hit theaters today. But the key question remains: Does Akhanda 2 deliver the same mass euphoria, spirituality, and high-voltage action?
Story: A Geopolitical-Spiritual Action Mix That Lacks Depth
The story is set against the backdrop of the 2020 Ladakh border tensions between India and China. A Chinese General (Sangay Sheltrim), who loses his son in the clash, vows revenge on India. He believes destroying India’s religious harmony will weaken the nation and joins hands with a corrupt Indian Minister (Kabir Duhan Singh).
Their plan:
✔ Target the ongoing Kumbh Mela
✔ Contaminate the Ganga river with a deadly virus
✔ Trigger chaos and destroy India’s cultural faith
A young DRDO scientist, Janani (Harshaali Malhotra), discovers a vaccine that can stop the virus. To mass-produce the antidote, she is sent to Ladakh. The Chinese General sends forces to eliminate her.
Janani is the daughter of Bala Murali Krishna (Balakrishna).
To protect Janani and stop the conspiracy, Akhanda (Balakrishna) makes a powerful comeback.
The rest of the film explores:
– Who is Bala Murali Krishna?
– How did Janani become a top scientist?
– How does Akhanda defeat the foreign conspiracy threatening Hindu faith?
Performances: Balakrishna Shines, But the Script Doesn’t Support Him
Balakrishna delivers a furious and intense performance as the aged Aghora. His screen presence, mass dialogues, and action moments uplift several scenes.
However:
•The “Akhanda magic” from the first film is missing.
•Repetitive presentation and lack of new mystic elements dilute the impact.
•In the first half, his presence is very limited.
•The emotional arc is weak, reducing the overall effect.
Balakrishna plays three roles (Senior Aghora, Young Aghora, Bala Murali Krishna), but the senior Aghora dominates the narrative.
Villain performances are extremely weak, making the hero’s elevation ineffective.
Aadi Pinisetty and Kabir Singh fail to create threat or depth.
Sayyeshaa appears briefly and disappears midway.
Harshaali Malhotra, as the young scientist, is fresh and appealing, but lip-sync issues are noticeable.
Overall, despite talented casting, the characters are poorly written and fail to support the storyline.
Technical Review: Strong Visuals, Weak Music & Below-Par VFX
•Thaman’s music falls short of the original Akhanda magic.
•Songs are forgettable, and the background score becomes too loud at times.
•Cinematography by C. Ram Prasad and Santosh is visually strong and elegant.
•VFX and CGI work are substandard, hurting the viewing experience in key action sequences.
•Ram-Lakshman’s fights are average, lacking thrill and freshness.
Technically, the film feels inconsistent and rushed.
Screenplay & Direction: Boyapati’s Weakest Work in the Franchise
The 2021 film Akhanda had a solid emotional base with a strong environmental theme and a powerful Aghora character.
However, Akhanda: Tandavam suffers from:
•Weak emotional connect
•Weak villains
•No spiritual depth
•Confusing first half
•Routine second half
•Forced geopolitical elements
•Lack of impactful mass moments
The potential for a pan-India spiritual action story was wasted due to poor writing and rushed direction.
First Half Review
•Disjointed scenes involving China, Tibet, Manipur create confusion.
•Balakrishna appears briefly and disappears till interval.
•Bala Murali Krishna section feels routine with one mass fight and a duet.
•Interval action block lacks emotional weight and falls below Boyapati-Balayya standards.
Result: A dull and directionless first hour.
Second Half Review
•Follows predictable revenge and conspiracy patterns.
•Aadi Pinisetty’s episode is illogical and poorly executed.
•Climax lacks power, spiritual elevation, and philosophical depth.
Boyapati Srinu fails to hold either half together, making the entire film feel hollow.
Verdict: Akhanda: Tandavam is a Weak Sequel with Missed Potential
Akhanda: Tandavam had every opportunity to become a massive pan-India spiritual action entertainer.
But due to weak writing, poor emotional depth, unimpressive villains, and inconsistent technical work, the film lands as a disappointing sequel.
A film strictly for die-hard Balakrishna fans, but lacks the soul and power of the original.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
