Exclusive: Balakrishna Teaming Up With ‘Marco’ Director?

Nandamuri Balakrishna, recently honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan by the Government of India, is not slowing down. While celebrating the moment with his people in Hindupur, Balakrishna opened up about his film career. “Everyone is calling this my second innings after four back-to-back hits, but the real second innings will begin with Akhanda 2. It’s going to be beyond everyone’s expectations,” he confidently declared.

After facing a brief slump before the pandemic, Balakrishna bounced back with Akhanda, his third blockbuster with Boyapati Sreenu. What followed were hits like Veera Simha Reddy with Gopichand Malineni, Bhagavanth Kesari with Anil Ravipudi, and then Daaku Maharaj with Bobby Kolli. Each film has brought him closer to the younger audience. His talk show Unstoppable has further revamped his image, proving his versatility even in his 60s.

With Akhanda 2, Balayya is eyeing the pan-India market. The sequel, being dubbed in multiple languages, is set for a grand release on September 25 during Dussehra. The first-look teaser is being readied for his birthday on June 10. Meanwhile, Gopichand Malineni has already confirmed another project with Balayya, promising it will surpass Veera Simha Reddy in scale.

Meanwhile, buzz in the industry points to an interesting development: Balakrishna is reportedly in talks with Malayalam filmmaker Haneef Adeni, the director of the violent action drama Marco, which turned out to be a box office blockbuster. Haneef is known for his gripping, action-packed narratives. Speculations suggest that the two are exploring a high-octane cop drama that could feature Balayya in a fierce and intense role.

If reports are to be believed, the project might take off soon after Akhanda 2. As we all know, Malayalam filmmakers are known for their efficiency in delivering quality movies within a short span, this film is expected to be completed much faster than typical Telugu productions. Renowned producer Dil Raju has already announced a movie with Haneef, so he could be bankrolling this film under his banner, potentially marking his first collaboration with NBK.

With Akhanda 2 and this high-octane project with Haneef Adeni on the cards, followed by a film with Gopichand Malineni, Balakrishna’s so-called second innings is shaping up to be a blockbuster chapter in the making.