As the vibrant city of Hyderabad gears up for the Dasara festivities, film enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to, with an assortment of theatrical releases hitting the screens. The Dasara holiday season is traditionally a pivotal time for Telugu cinema, trailing slightly behind the excitement of Sankranti. The festival often sees an upsurge in theatre-goers, prompting major film studios and producers to plan their biggest releases during this period. In 2024, this cinematic tradition continues, with several anticipated films set to grace the big screens.
This year, the Telugu film industry offers a mix of genres to captivate audiences. Key releases include Viswam, Maa Nanna Superhero, and Janaka Aithe Kanaka. Adding to the line-up are the Tamil-dubbed film Vettaiyan – The Hunter and the Hindi movie Jigra, ensuring a wide range of options for cinephiles.
Viswam marks the notable return of skilled director Sreenu Vaitla, whose last venture was Amar Akbar Anthony. Vaitla, known for his blockbuster hits such as Dhee, Venky, and Dookudu, collaborates with screenwriters Gopi Mohan and Bhanu-Nandu on this project. Starring Gopichand, Kavya Thapar, Vennela Kishore, and Sunil, Viswam is branded as an action entertainer sprinkled with the director’s signature comedic flair. A much-talked-about 30-minute train sequence promises to be one of the film’s standout moments, drawing comparisons with the popular train scenes in Ravi Teja’s Venky. As Vaitla’s post-pandemic theatrical comeback, Viswam is generating significant anticipation among audiences craving the director’s distinct style of storytelling.
Following closely is Maa Nanna Superhero (My Dad is a Superhero), a compelling drama penned and directed by Abhilash Kankara. Known for his creative work on the Telugu web series Loser, Kankara has crafted a narrative focusing on familial ties. The film stars Sudheer Babu, Saichand, and Shayaji Shinde, exploring the emotional journey of a young man who builds a deep connection with his adoptive father, only to face turmoil when his biological father reappears.
. The heartfelt tale promises to touch upon themes of love, loyalty, and identity.
The third Telugu release, Janaka Aithe Kanaka, emerges from the production house that delivered Balagam. Producers Harshith Reddy and Hanshitha Reddy present Suhas in the lead role. The story, penned and directed by Sandeep Bandla, follows a protagonist hesitant to start a family due to financial hurdles. When plans fall apart, he controversially decides to take legal action against a condom company. The film, featuring Sangeerthana and Vennela Kishore, is expected to offer a unique blend of humor and social commentary.
Meanwhile, Vettaiyan – The Hunter, a Tamil film featuring the iconic Rajinikanth, is set to vie for audience attention. Helmed by TJ Gnanavel of Jai Bhim fame, the film presents a powerhouse cast including Rana Daggubati as the antagonistic force, alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, and Fahadh Faasil. With music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the film’s ‘Manasilayo’ video featuring Warrier’s dance has sparked curiosity and excitement among fans.
In parallel, the Hindi film Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala, will see a nationwide release, captivating audiences across the Telugu regions too. Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina star as siblings, with Rahul Ravindran taking on a pivotal role. The film, crafted by Bala and Debashish Irengbam, is engineered as a high-octane drama reflecting the lengths a sister goes to rescue her brother from overseas incarceration. Known for his work on films like Peddlers, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, and Monica, O My Darling, Bala is expected to deliver a compelling, action-driven narrative.
These premieres build on the success of Koratala Siva’s Devara: Part 1, featuring Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan, which has reportedly amassed nearly ₹400 crore globally since late September. As Dasara festivities conclude, the Telugu film pipeline relishes the Deepavali holidays, with slated releases like Dulquer Salmaan’s Lucky Baskhar, Vishwak Sen’s Mechanic Rocky, the much-anticipated Appudo Ippudo Eppudo featuring Nikhil Siddhartha and Rukmini Vasanth, and Lakshmi Manchu’s Adiparvam, ensuring that cinema lovers have much to await.
