The massive anticipation surrounding Nandamuri Balakrishna‘s upcoming action sequel, Akhanda 2, has been abruptly crushed. The film, which was scheduled for a grand worldwide release today, December 5, 2025, with paid previews planned for yesterday, has been postponed indefinitely. The unexpected delay stems from a crucial legal injunction passed by the Madras High Court, restraining the film’s release over a long-standing financial dispute.
The makers, 14 Reels Plus, shared a heartbroken update on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle late yesterday, initially cancelling the paid previews citing “unavoidable circumstances” before confirming the complete postponement. The official statement gave no new release date, leaving millions of fans disappointed and the box office calendar in disarray. The issue centers on a substantial arbitral award claimed by Eros International Media Limited against a group entity linked to the producers.
Media reports confirm the sudden postponement is a direct consequence of a legal victory for Eros International Media Limited. The distribution giant approached the Madras High Court, successfully obtaining an interim injunction that effectively freezes all forms of commercial exploitation—theatrical, digital, and satellite—of Akhanda 2.
The core of the dispute involves an unpaid arbitral award of approximately ₹28 crore (specifically, ₹27,80,01,813 plus 14% interest) that Eros holds against 14 Reels Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a production banner linked to the promoters of 14 Reels Plus LLP. The award dates back to 2019 and has remained unsettled despite being upheld by higher courts.
Eros International argued before the court that the move by 14 Reels Plus LLP to release the sequel was an “indirect attempt to flout the arbitral award” and shield the commercial returns of Akhanda 2 from the outstanding liabilities of the original 14 Reels Entertainment entity. The Madras High Court Division Bench agreed with the argument, granting the sweeping interim protection until the producers clear the arbitral amount or the Section 9 petitions are adjudicated on merits.
The postponement created widespread confusion and frustration among fans and distributors. Advance bookings had already opened in several territories, and the hype surrounding the Balakrishna-Boyapati Sreenu combination was immense, given the colossal success of the prequel, Akhanda (2021).
The production house, 14 Reels Plus, initially released a cryptic message on X late on Thursday, cancelling the paid premieres scheduled for that evening. They followed up hours later with the official postponement announcement:
With a heavy heart, we regret to inform you that #Akhanda2 will not be releasing as scheduled due to unavoidable circumstances.
This is a painful moment for us, and we truly understand the disappointment it brings to every fan and movie lover awaiting the film.
We are working…
— 14 Reels Plus (@14ReelsPlus) December 4, 2025
“With a heavy heart, we regret to inform you that #Akhanda2 will not be releasing as scheduled due to unavoidable circumstances. This is a painful moment for us, and we truly understand the disappointment it brings to every fan and movie lover awaiting the film. We are working tirelessly to resolve the matter at the earliest. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused.”
This sequence of events—from paid premiere cancellation to indefinite postponement—underlines the eleventh-hour intervention by the court that completely derailed the film’s mega-release plans.
Akhanda 2, directed by Boyapati Sreenu, was expected to generate massive initial box office revenue, easily surpassing the prequel’s success. The court’s injunction effectively blocks the producers from accessing these revenues, which Eros International is seeking to secure against the pending ₹28 crore debt.
The pressure now mounts heavily on the producers to either settle the full arbitral award amount or arrive at a workable legal settlement with Eros International. Until the Madras High Court is satisfied that the arbitral dues are secured or paid, the highly anticipated sequel remains frozen, preventing any form of commercial activity.
Fans now await a positive update regarding the resolution of the financial hurdles, hoping that their beloved ‘God of Masses’ will be back on the big screen soon.
