This year’s Dasara festival in Hyderabad promises an exciting cinematic experience with a slew of theatrical releases that are set to captivate audiences. The Dasara holiday season holds immense significance for Telugu cinema enthusiasts, surpassing even the fervor of the Sankranti celebrations. For decades, the festive season has sparked a tradition of releasing major films to cater to the insatiable appetite of movie buffs eager to savor theatrical experiences. As we approach the long-awaited Dasara weekend, cinephiles can look forward to a diverse array of films, including the Telugu productions Viswam, Maa Nanna Superhero, and Janaka Aithe Kanaka, as well as the much-anticipated Tamil-dubbed film Vettaiyan – The Hunter, and the Hindi film Jigra.
Let’s delve deeper into these cinematic offerings:
The Telugu film Viswam heralds the return of director Sreenu Vaitla, who steps into the limelight once again after a six-year hiatus following the release of Amar Akbar Anthony. Vaitla, known for delivering explosive hits like Dhee, Venky, and Dookudu, has joined hands with screenwriters Gopi Mohan and Bhanu-Nandu to conceptualize Viswam. Starring Gopichand, Kavya Thapar, Vennela Kishore, and Sunil, this film is touted as an action-packed entertainer with comedic elements, true to Vaitla’s signature style. A standout feature of Viswam is reportedly a 30-minute exhilarating train sequence, sparking excitement and comparisons to the legendary train comedy scenes in Ravi Teja’s famous film Venky. Viswam holds special significance, being Sreenu Vaitla’s first theatrical release since the pandemic and a chance to reconnect with his audience who remember him fondly for action comedies.
Maa Nanna Superhero (My Dad is a Superhero), another prominent Telugu release, is penned and helmed by Abhilash Kankara, acclaimed for his work on the Telugu sports drama web series Loser. This relationship drama stars Sudheer Babu, Saichand, and Shayaji Shinde. It intricately explores the dynamics within a family as it follows the strong bond formed between a son and his adopted father, which is tested when his biological father reappears.
Adding to the festive lineup is Janaka Aithe Kanaka, presented by the producers of the successful film Balagam, Harshith Reddy and Hanshitha Reddy.
. This film stars Suhas as a man cautious about starting a family due to financial constraints. The plot takes a twist when he decides to sue a condom manufacturing company. Accompanied by performances from Sangeerthana and Vennela Kishore, this narrative is brought to life under the direction and writing of Sandeep Bandla.
In a move that might steal some of the limelight from these Telugu releases, the larger-than-life Rajinikanth graces the screen with Vettaiyan – The Hunter, directed by TJ Gnanavel of Jai Bhim fame and adapted from Tamil. It features a star-studded cast including Rana Daggubati as the antagonist, with stellar contributions from Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, and Fahadh Faasil. Music by Anirudh Ravichander, particularly the dynamic ‘Manasilayo’ video highlighting Manju Warrier’s dance skills, has piqued public interest, setting the stage for substantial box office competition.
Indian film fans are also treated to director Vasan Bala’s Hindi offering, Jigra. Starring Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina as siblings, the film also features Telugu actor-writer-director Rahul Ravindran in a key role. Scripted by Vasan Bala and Debashish Irengbam, Jigra centers on a sister’s relentless efforts to save her brother from custodial torture abroad, weaving intense action scenarios and a riveting prison break attempt, originating from the artistic vision of Peddlers and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota to Monica, O My Darling.
These new releases follow closely on the heels of director Koratala Siva’s Devara: Part 1, headlined by Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan, which reportedly amassed nearly ₹400 crore globally since its launch on September 27. The momentum doesn’t halt post-Dasara as the industry gears up for Deepavali, with anticipated releases including Dulquer Salmaan’s Lucky Baskhar, Vishwak Sen’s Mechanic Rocky, Nikhil Siddhartha’s Appudo Ippudo Eppudo featuring Rukmini Vasanth, and Lakshmi Manchu’s Adiparvam poised for a festive unveiling.
Hyderabad’s cinematic landscape this Dasara is vibrant and varied, promising to keep audiences enthralled through a spectrum of genres and narratives, further enriching the Telugu film industry’s legacy.
