Akhanda 2 Review: Balakrishna Roars Again But The Script Struggles

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam marks Balakrishna’s thunderous return as the divine Aghora warrior, delivering the same fiery intensity and screen dominance he is loved for.

The story continues years after the first film, with Akhanda rising again to protect Janani, now a DRDO scientist racing to stop a global crisis triggered by a black-magic virus.

Balakrishna steals the show, especially in the interval block where his trishul-swinging action scenes transform the theatre into a festival.

Harshali Malhotra impresses as the grown-up Janani, offering emotional depth amid the chaos.

Actors like Aadhi Pinisetty and Jagapathi Babu strengthen the drama, although the villains feel flat and underdeveloped.

The first half feels stretched with heavy dialogues, while the second half leans fully into mass action and cosmic spectacle.

Thaman’s background score elevates the film throughout, turning even simple scenes into adrenaline-pumping moments.

Cinematography highlights sweeping Himalayan landscapes and massive battle sequences that give the film a grand visual identity.

VFX is used extensively and ambitiously, though not always consistently convincing.

Overall, Akhanda 2 delivers explosive moments for Balakrishna fans but falls short in narrative cohesion, settling at a 3 out of 5 experience.

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Akhanda 2 Review: Balakrishna Roars Again But The Script Struggles

Dec 12th, 2025

By DTF Team

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam marks Balakrishna’s thunderous return as the divine Aghora warrior, delivering the same fiery intensity and screen dominance he is loved for.

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam marks Balakrishna’s thunderous return as the divine Aghora warrior, delivering the same fiery intensity and screen dominance he is loved for.

The story continues years after the first film, with Akhanda rising again to protect Janani, now a DRDO scientist racing to stop a global crisis triggered by a black-magic virus.

The story continues years after the first film, with Akhanda rising again to protect Janani, now a DRDO scientist racing to stop a global crisis triggered by a black-magic virus.

Balakrishna steals the show, especially in the interval block where his trishul-swinging action scenes transform the theatre into a festival.

Balakrishna steals the show, especially in the interval block where his trishul-swinging action scenes transform the theatre into a festival.

Harshali Malhotra impresses as the grown-up Janani, offering emotional depth amid the chaos.

Harshali Malhotra impresses as the grown-up Janani, offering emotional depth amid the chaos.

Actors like Aadhi Pinisetty and Jagapathi Babu strengthen the drama, although the villains feel flat and underdeveloped.

Actors like Aadhi Pinisetty and Jagapathi Babu strengthen the drama, although the villains feel flat and underdeveloped.

The first half feels stretched with heavy dialogues, while the second half leans fully into mass action and cosmic spectacle.

The first half feels stretched with heavy dialogues, while the second half leans fully into mass action and cosmic spectacle.

Thaman’s background score elevates the film throughout, turning even simple scenes into adrenaline-pumping moments.

Thaman’s background score elevates the film throughout, turning even simple scenes into adrenaline-pumping moments.

Cinematography highlights sweeping Himalayan landscapes and massive battle sequences that give the film a grand visual identity.

Cinematography highlights sweeping Himalayan landscapes and massive battle sequences that give the film a grand visual identity.

VFX is used extensively and ambitiously, though not always consistently convincing.

VFX is used extensively and ambitiously, though not always consistently convincing.

Overall, Akhanda 2 delivers explosive moments for Balakrishna fans but falls short in narrative cohesion, settling at a 3 out of 5 experience.

Overall, Akhanda 2 delivers explosive moments for Balakrishna fans but falls short in narrative cohesion, settling at a 3 out of 5 experience.

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