Akhanda 2 Locks New Release Date; Mowgli and Psych Siddhartha Forced to Postpone as Director Sandeep Raj Calls Himself ‘Bad Luck’

Balakrishna and Boyapati Srinu’s much-awaited Akhanda 2 has finally cleared its legal hurdles and secured a new release date—December 12—prompting two other Telugu films, Mowgli and Psych Siddhartha, to shift their schedules at the last minute.

Originally slated for release on December 5, Akhanda 2 was abruptly delayed due to legal issues. The new date has led to a domino effect in Tollywood’s December release calendar.

Psych Siddhartha Moves to New Year’s Day

Producer Rana Daggubati and actor Nandu announced the postponement of Psych Siddhartha through a humorous video. In the clip, Nandu asks Rana to prepare for the film’s release countdown, only to be told that Balakrishna’s film is arriving on the same day. The duo then jokingly references a viral Boyapati–Balakrishna interview meme saying, “Already humne bol diya… Already caution kiya.”

The film will now release on January 1, 2026.

Mowgli Director Sandeep Raj Pens Emotional Note

Mowgli faced the biggest confusion after being pushed from its original slot. Director Sandeep Raj shared an emotional message on social media, expressing frustration over repeated setbacks in his career. Recalling how his debut Colour Photo was forced to skip theatres due to the pandemic, he wrote:

“Maybe I am the BAD LUCK… My dream of seeing ‘Directed by Sandeep Raj’ on the big screen is becoming harder day by day. I think SILVERSCREEN hates me.”

His note drew support from several industry colleagues, including actor Sai Durgha Tej.

However, when Mowgli was later rescheduled for December 13, just one day after Akhanda 2, Sandeep faced criticism for his earlier emotional post. Responding to the backlash, he clarified that he was initially told the film might be pushed to February or April 2026, but distributors later decided on an earlier release due to crowded Christmas and Sankranti lineups.

Other Films Affected

Karthi’s Vaa Vaathiyaar (Telugu title: Annagaru Vostaru) is also releasing on December 12.

The re-release of Rajinikanth’s Shivaji has been postponed.

Akhanda 2: A Highly Anticipated Sequel

Akhanda 2 follows the success of the 2021 blockbuster Akhanda, where Nandamuri Balakrishna played dual roles. The original was a pandemic-era hit, grossing ₹117 crore worldwide, and the sequel is expected to deliver strong box-office numbers despite the scheduling chaos it has triggered.