The much-anticipated OTT release of Nandamuri Balakrishna’s action drama Akhanda 2: Thaandavam has been officially confirmed. Netflix India announced on Thursday that the film will begin streaming on the platform from January 9, 2026, nearly a month after its theatrical release.
What Happened?
Netflix India took to Instagram to share the official poster of Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, confirming its digital premiere date. The announcement puts an end to speculation surrounding the film’s OTT debut, which had been the subject of industry chatter since its cinema run.
The caption accompanying the post read: “Why fear, when the legend Balayya is here. Watch Akhanda 2 on Netflix, out 9 January in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.” The update confirms the film’s availability in multiple Indian languages.
Official Confirmation or Sources
The OTT release has been officially announced by Netflix India through its verified social media handles. Akhanda 2: Thaandavam will stream globally on the platform from January 9, 2026.
The film is directed by Boyapati Srinu and marks his fourth collaboration with Nandamuri Balakrishna after Simha, Legend, and Akhanda. The sequel builds on the themes and narrative style of the 2021 blockbuster Akhanda, which emerged as a major commercial success.
Jay-Ho! Insight
Akhanda 2 expands the scale of the franchise by venturing into global and political territory. The story introduces a new antagonist—a Chinese general seeking revenge after losing his son in the Galwan clash—adding an international dimension to the conflict.
The sequel also continues its spiritual undercurrent, a hallmark of the Akhanda universe. Harshaali Malhotra reprises her role as Janani, now portrayed as an adult scientist. Her character becomes a crucial emotional anchor, as her life is threatened after she develops an antidote to a deadly virus, forcing Akhanda to return to protect her.
The film’s background score by composer Thaman S plays a prominent role, amplifying both the spiritual and action-driven sequences, in keeping with the franchise’s larger-than-life tone.
Public or Critical Response
Akhanda 2: Thaandavam released in theatres worldwide on December 12, 2025, and received mixed responses from audiences and critics. While Balakrishna’s commanding screen presence and the film’s spiritual elements were widely noted, some reviews pointed to narrative shortcomings.
A section of Moneycontrol’s review observed that the film’s second half carried emotional and spiritual weight, particularly during a sequence involving Lord Shiva, while also noting that the storytelling prioritised heroic elevation over depth, leading to underdeveloped arcs.
Despite divided critical opinion, the film maintained strong visibility among Balakrishna’s fan base, contributing to sustained interest ahead of its OTT release.
What’s Next?
With its Netflix debut scheduled for January 9, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam is expected to reach a wider audience beyond its theatrical run. The multi-language release positions the film for pan-Indian viewership on streaming.
Netflix is likely to promote the film prominently as part of its January slate, catering to fans of mass action dramas and spiritual thrillers.
Jay-Ho! will update this story as more details emerge.
