Balakrishna–Gopichand Malineni Historical Film Shelved Over Budget and Market Concerns

Actor Balakrishna has joined hands once again with director Gopichand Malineni for an upcoming project. However, instead of proceeding with the originally planned script, the team is now considering moving forward with a different storyline.

Talks are currently in progress regarding this change. Following the success of Veerasimha Reddy, this new collaboration generated strong expectations. At first, the film was conceived as a large scale historical action drama. Producer Venkata Satish Kilaru had initially agreed to back the project despite its massive financial requirements, and Nayanthara was signed on as the female lead. Since then, the situation has undergone a major shift.

Earlier, the makers had announced that Balakrishna would appear in a completely new role set against an expansive historical backdrop, promising audiences a grand visual spectacle. However, in a sudden turn, the producer, lead actor, and director collectively reconsidered their approach. They have now decided to temporarily shelve the original plan and begin work on an alternate story instead. Budget limitations appear to be the primary factor behind this decision.

Producing a film rooted in a historical setting demands extensive time and resources. Reports suggest that the project would require an investment of nearly Rs 150 crore. Given the current conditions at the Tollywood box office, such a high budget is seen as risky. Although Akhanda 2 was released on a Pan India scale, it reportedly resulted in significant financial losses, and revenue from OTT platforms has also been modest. Taking these market realities into account, Balakrishna seems to have opted for a different script that better aligns with present commercial conditions.