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Quick take: Akhanda2 has high-octane action sequences but falters from underwhelming writing and patriotic fervour.

Usually, the Telugu mass masala cinema is unsubtle while dealing with all sorts of battles and challenges. Akhanda 2 is unsubtle while dealing with a war and an unprecedented geopolitical challenge.

The Tibetan army launches a biowarfare operation against India. It chooses the Maha Kumbh Mela as the triggering point to spread the virus in the country. With trouble brewing and situation worsening, the Prime Minister instructs DRDO to develop an antidote. Scientist Janani (Harshaali Malhotra) successfully creates it. But the enemy troops begin to hunt her. It takes nothing less than divine intervention to foil their plans. Akhanda (Balakrishna), who once promised to return whenever she faced danger, reappears. He has a task! But then, the film doesn’t come straight to the point. It first introduces a solution in the form of science. But then, the narrative makes some wriggle room for things beyond science, as the solution gets conceived through Vedic wisdom.

The template-driven narrative is predictable. While the interval action set pieces in director Boyapati Srinu’s previous movies like Legend raised the bar of entertainment, the one in Akhanda 2 doesn’t achieve any feat. Fundamentally, this film suffers from underwhelming writing. The propensity to package every moment to suit the current trend of devotional action spectacles is very evident in the narrative.

These elements increasingly acquire the scent of the occult. The evil in this film is not only ruthless but is backed by the fearsome wisdom of the indefatigable. Actor Aadhi Pinisetty’s Visachi, should have been endowed with a distinctive charm for all this to feel grave and existential. The action set pieces, involving the two extreme opposites of this story, which unfold on the otherworldly spectrum, feel a little too choreographed with sophisticated. They could have been awe-inspiring and delightfully chaotic. That would’ve made the drama feel more authentic. It would have allowed the emotions to create an impact.

The trope of a miserable woman missing her son is reintroduced constantly, with the main characters reiterating their faith in Shiva Leela. This piece of stretching is so relentless that the film doesn’t settle for anything less than a Lord Shiva cameo.

After Akhanda became a blockbuster, the second installment had great scope to match the expectations, if not surpass them. The 2025 sequel though has all the right ingredients and premise for a nice set up – devotional elements, action sequences and patriotic angle. But as an occasional pulp political conspiracy action drama, Akhanda 2 treats logic like how China treats its dissenters. The Prime Minister is well aware of the monumental crisis underway but can’t think of a war room approach. And it’s not like the screenplay is consistent in showing the PM as unprepared. On odd days, a high-profile scientist is left to her devices. On even days, a helicopter full of assistance is dispatched to rescue her. Feels a bit odd and uneven to be honest.

The film has a typical Boyapati mark, but the screenplay tends to stray from the director’s vision and on many occasions ends up being a little too loud. Nonetheless, the action sequences in the film stand out – they are designed to appease Balakrishna fans and the mass audiences. A shadow fight involving Lord Hanuman and a Shiva Thaandavam episode are highlights for the whistle-friendly crowd.

Balakrishna’s performance is brilliant and riveting as the Aghora. He dominates the screen as Akhanda. His dialogue delivery, screen presence, and authentic portrayal of Aghora are the film’s major assets. But as Murali Krishna, an MLA of the ruling party, his character gets ignored after a point. Samyuktha’s character is unwittingly funny; if you get busy with your popcorn tub, it would become difficult to make out whether she is a soldier, a soldier’s daughter, or another scientist with an IQ of 226. Harshaali Malhotra, the cute girl from Bajrangi Bhaijaan, has more screen time than Samyuktha. Kabir Duhan Singh has more screen time than Aadhi Pinisetty’s malevolent, tantric character, too.

Balakrishna and Boyapati Srinu’s collaborations usually sit well with the Telugu audiences. But Akhanda 2, their latest creative partnership, isn’t engaging enough to recreate their past magic.

Also Read: Explained: Here’s Why Court Halted The Release of Balakrishna’s Film Akhanda 2

Hema Malini recently hosted a prayer meet for late husband Dharmendra in Delhi. She welcomed politicians and friends at the event, while thanking the guests for accepting her invitation. Before entering the main venue, Hema was seen springing flower petals in front of Dharmendra’s photo, alongside her elder daughter Esha Deol. Her younger daughter Ahana Deol joined them inside the hall.

Ahana Deol got emotional as her mom, Hema Malini, talked about her father Dharmendra ji! �� #hemamalini #hemamalinifans #dharmendra #eshadeol #ahanadeol #dharmendradeol #dharmendrafans #Dharmendra pic.twitter.com/hSihroryxi

— VINI 💞 (@Vini____007) December 11, 2025

The event took place at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in Janpath. Hema took to the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech about her late husband. While shedding tears, Hema said, “The whole world is mourning his passing, but for me, it is an inconsolable shock, the breaking of a companionship that stood the test of time.”

Opening up further, Hema shared that Dharmendra had an unfinished dream of writing a book. Apparently, the late actor wanted to create a book out of his poems. “Over time, a hidden aspect of his personality emerged… jab woh Urdu ki shayari karne lage. Unki khaas baat yahi thi koi bhi paristithi ho woh uske anusar turant ek sher suna dete the… yeh unki khoobi thi (He used to write poetry and verses in Urdu. The most special thing about it was that he could write on any situation). I often told him he should write a book – his fans would have loved it. So, he was very serious about it and was planning everything but woh kaam par adhura reh gaya (it is left unfinished),” Hema mentioned.

Hema also shared bits and pieces from her daily life with the star. She noted that Dharmendra was a devoted husband to her and loving father to their kids. “Jis shakhs ke saath maine kai filmon mein pyaar ka abhinay kiya, wahi mere jeevansaathi ban gaye. Humara pyaar sachcha tha, toh hum mein kisi bhi paristhiti ka saamna karne ki himmat thi. Hum dono ne shaadi ki. Woh mere liye ek bohot hi samarpeet jeevansaathi baney. Woh mere liye prernadayak ek mazboot stambh bankar har shan, har kadam pe mere saath khadey rahe (The person with whom I enacted love scenes in films became my life partner. Our love was true and we faced all dire situations with strength. We both got married. He became a devoted husband to me. He was a pillar of support and stood by me through each step in life),” Hema concluded.

Politicians from across India were present at the event. The names include Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, BJP MP Anurag Thakur, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Moreover, actor-politicians Ravi Kishan and Kangana Ranaut were also present to share their condolences with the family.

Dharmendra passed away on November 24, 2025. His passing left behind an unmatched legacy of over six decades. Born as Dharmendra Singh Deol, he breathed his last at his residence. He was admitted to Breach Candy hospital earlier in November due to respiratory complications.

Also Read: Hema Malini Arranges Prayer Meet for Late Husband Dharmendra in Delhi