As Hyderabad gears up for the Dasara festivities, movie enthusiasts are in for a cinematic treat with a diverse array of theatrical releases slated to premiere over the holiday weekend. Known for its significant impact on Telugu cinema, the Dasara period is second only to Sankranti in terms of audience draw. This season’s insatiable appetite for movie-watching in theatres has traditionally led to a slew of high-profile film releases, and 2024 is no exception. The upcoming weekend will see the theatrical debuts of several prominent films, including Telugu titles Viswam, Maa Nanna Superhero, and Janaka Aithe Kanaka, alongside the Tamil-dubbed Vettaiyan – The Hunter and the Hindi film Jigra.
The anticipation for these films is palpable among audiences and industry insiders alike. Let’s delve into what each of these movies has to offer:
Viswam, marking the return of renowned director Sreenu Vaitla, is ready to make waves after a six-year hiatus since his last film, Amar Akbar Anthony. Known for delivering blockbuster hits such as Dhee, Venky, and Dookudu, Vaitla has teamed up with screenwriters Gopi Mohan and Bhanu-Nandu for Viswam. The film features Gopichand, Kavya Thapar, Vennela Kishore, and Sunil, and promises to be a quintessential Sreenu Vaitla action-comedy. Notably, a 30-minute train sequence in the movie is being highlighted as a major attraction, prompting speculations whether it will rival the iconic train comedy scenes from the Ravi Teja starrer Venky. For Vaitla, Viswam represents a noteworthy return to theatres post-pandemic, especially considering his previous association with blockbuster action comedies.
Maa Nanna Superhero, meaning “My Dad is a Superhero,” adds another dimension to the festive offerings. This relationship drama is the brainchild of writer-director Abhilash Kankara, known for the popular Telugu sports drama web series Loser. The film, starring Sudheer Babu, Saichand, and Shayaji Shinde, explores the emotional bond between a son and his adopted father, unearthing complexities when the biological father makes a reappearance.
In Janaka Aithe Kanaka, audiences will witness a unique storyline centering on economic anxieties juxtaposed with humor.
. Produced by Harshith and Hanshitha Reddy, well-known for Balagam, the film stars Suhas, who plays a man reluctant to start a family due to financial instability. After unexpected setbacks, his character takes legal action against a condom manufacturing company. The film, also starring Sangeerthana and Vennela Kishore, is penned and directed by Sandeep Bandla, promising a thought-provoking yet entertaining narrative.
Rajinikanth fans will be eagerly awaiting the release of Vettaiyan – The Hunter, a film that promises to give the local ventures a run for their money. Directed by TJ Gnanavel, who gained acclaim for Jai Bhim, this Tamil-dubbed movie features an ensemble cast including Rana Daggubati as the antagonist, alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, and Fahadh Faasil. The soundtrack composed by Anirudh Ravichander, especially the ‘Manasilayo’ video featuring Manju Warrier’s captivating dance moves, has already managed to stir immense curiosity and excitement.
Finally, the Hindi film Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala, is set to capture national interest. Starring Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina as siblings, the film also boasts a role for Telugu actor-writer-director Rahul Ravindran. Crafted by writers Vasan Bala and Debashish Irengbam, Jigra tells the gripping tale of a sister’s relentless quest to free her brother from custodial torment overseas. Laced with intense action sequences and a daring prison break attempt, Jigra is likely to enthrall audiences, as Bala continues to cement his reputation following hits such as Peddlers, Mard ko Dard Nahi Hota, and Monica, O My Darling.
These releases arrive in the aftermath of the massive success of director Koratala Siva’s Devara: Part 1. Featuring Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan, this film has reportedly amassed approximately ₹400 crore globally since its late-September release.
Looking ahead beyond the Dasara weekend, the Telugu film industry is already gearing up for Deepavali with an exciting lineup. Films like Lucky Baskhar starring Dulquer Salmaan, Mechanic Rocky with Vishwak Sen, Appudo Ippudo Eppudo featuring Nikhil Siddhartha and Rukmini Vasanth, and Lakshmi Manchu’s Adiparvam are poised to vie for audiences’ attention, ensuring that the cinematic celebrations continue unabated.
