The staggering success of Pushpa 2 in 2024 has set the Hindi heartland on fire for Allu Arjun. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have emerged as strong fortresses for pan-Indian action movies.

Allu Arjun craze peaks

In Bihar specifically, Pushpa 2 did not just break records; it revived the health of many single screens. The craze peaked during the trailer launch event in Patna just a few days before the movie’s release. Massive crowds flooded the venue to catch a glimpse of the Telugu actor. The huge turnout proved that his ground-level appeal is now rivalling that of the biggest Bollywood superstars.

The impact on local businesses was even more profound. Several single-screen theatres that had shut down or were struggling to survive reopened their doors. Owners noted that while many big-budget Hindi films failed to attract crowds, Pushpa 2 brought the masses back to the big screen. The film essentially helped the local exhibition sector in a substantial way.

Intense competition

As a result, distributors are now scrambling to secure the rights for Raaka. Trade offers coming from Patna are becoming increasingly lucrative. While exact figures are not known, the hype is evident. This superstardom has been brewing for over a decade. Long before the Pushpa phenomenon, Allu Arjun was a household name across North India. His Hindi-dubbed movies like Sarrainodu and DJ became massive hits on YouTube and satellite television. Millions of viewers grew up watching his dance moves and high-octane action sequences.

Now, the excitement has shifted toward his next venture, Raaka. Even though the theatrical release is more than a year away, bidding wars have already begun. Distributors in Bihar are making aggressive offers to secure the film. Directed by Atlee, Raaka co-stars Deepika Padukone.

Also Read: Raaka: Composer Sai Abhyankkar Plans Global Album for Allu Arjun–Atlee Film

The promotions for Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s much-awaited Maa Inti Bangaram have suddenly come to a halt. The film, once eyed as a major summer release in Telugu cinema, will no longer hit theatres on May 15.

Peddi occupies June 4 slot

Filmfare was the first to report that the distributors of Maa Inti Bangaram have strongly advised the makers (Samantha’s husband Raj Nidimoru and others) to push the release to the second half of June. Sources say the decision stems from practical concerns over box office competition. May is ruled out due to the ongoing frenzy of IPL matches, which continue to dominate audience attention. Early June also looks difficult because Ram Charan’s Peddi is expected to occupy a large number of screens across the state on June 4. The same reason has prompted the makers of Satyadev Kancharana’s Rao Bahadur to avoid the first week of June. The team behind Maa Inti Bangaram is now recalibrating its strategy and is likely considering a second-half June release.

Samantha plays the ‘hero’

Recently, Samantha did a fun interview hosted by comedian Vennela Kishore. “Hero is a gender-neutral term,” she told him in a friendly manner during the scripted interaction, implying that it is not necessary to look for a male hero when the female protagonist is driving the narrative. The interview received a terrific response. However, just as the buzz around the film was building, the makers had to halt promotions due to the delay in release. Maa Inti Bangaram is an action-family drama directed by Nandini Reddy. Samantha plays a traditional housewife with a hidden, violent past. Her banner, Tralala Moving Pictures, is bankrolling the film, which features music by Santhosh Narayanan.

A diverse range of genres

Following her lead role in the 2023 romantic drama Kushi, she starred in the action-thriller series Citadel: Honey Bunny (2024). She also appeared in Gunasekhar’s Shaakuntalam (2023) and Yashodha (2022). Pushpa: The Rise featured her in a cameo appearance in the song Oo Antava, opposite Allu Arjun.

Also Read: Photos: Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, Rana Daggubati Grace Simran-Krish Wedding Reception

The TMC supremo said that she no longer holds any official position and would now focus on rebuilding the opposition’s INDIA bloc.​The TMC supremo said that she no longer holds any official position and would now focus on rebuilding the opposition’s INDIA bloc.