Telugu cinema had a disappointing first half in 2025 with very few genuine hits, but the rest of the year looks much more promising.
The slate begins with Hari Hara Veera Mallu starring Pawan Kalyan, which is scheduled to hit theatres in just ten days. Following that, War 2 and Coolie are expected in August.
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In September, the most anticipated release is OG, again starring Pawan Kalyan, which is officially set to arrive on September 25.
Initially, OG was expected to clash with Akhanda 2: Thaandavam featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna, as both films had announced the same release date.
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However, current industry buzz suggests that Akhanda 2 might get postponed due to ongoing delays in both shooting and post-production.
A planned schedule in Prayagraj had to be cancelled due to heavy rains, and significant portions of VFX work are yet to be completed.
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The team is now reportedly looking at December 18 as the new release date, hoping to recreate the December magic that worked for the first Akhanda back in 2021.
That said, many feel the makers of Akhanda 2 made a strategic error by aiming for September 25 despite OG locking that date first. If they had secured a December release from the beginning, they could’ve avoided this awkward overlap.
Now, with Prabhas’ Raja Saab taking the first week of December and Chiranjeevi–Anil Ravipudi’s film expected to start Sankranti promotions around the same time, the release calendar is getting crowded again.
Even though December 18 appears relatively safe, it still comes with potential risks. If Raja Saab gets a strong response, it could dominate theatre screens into its third week.
At the same time, early promotional activity from Chiranjeevi’s film might dilute the attention during Akhanda 2’s release window.
On the positive side, the delay gives the team more time to complete post-production and plan a solid marketing campaign, but they’ll have to be aggressive with promotions and ensure the trailer creates a strong impact to justify the wait.
Meanwhile, OG is progressing smoothly. Pawan Kalyan has completed his shoot, and the film is now in its final post-production phase. The team has maintained a steady flow of updates, and the overall buzz surrounding the film remains very strong.
If Akhanda 2 officially announces a delay, OG will enjoy a clear solo release window in September — giving it a major advantage at the box office.
In conclusion, OG appears to be in a commanding position as things stand. Akhanda 2 may still become a big hit if it makes the most of its potential December 18 slot, but that will depend heavily on the quality of the final product, trailer, and the strength of its promotional campaign.
