Netflix Pandaga, the streamer’s annual major Telugu film acquisition announcement includes Pawan Kalyan’s Ustad Bhagat Singh, Dulquer Salmaan’s Aakasam Lo Oka Tara, Nani’s The Paradise, among others

Netflix Pandaga, the streamer’s annual campaign to announce its upcoming slate of Telugu film releases kicked off on January 16, 2026, on the occasion of Sankranti. Last year, for instance, the streamer had announced 9 films, including Jack and Kingdom, which were spill-overs from its 2024 list. This year too, it is making a strong statement with its Telugu film acquisitions that will find a post-theatrical streaming home on the platform.
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The 2026 lineup kicked off with a biggie – Pawan Kalyan’s Ustad Bhagat Singh, which was followed by films Dulquer Salmaan’s Aakasam Lo Oka Tara, Nani’s Paradise, Roshan Meka’s Champion Fahadh Faasil’s Don’t Trouble The Trouble, Vishwak Sen’s Funky
Director Harish Shankar’s action drama, starring Pawan Kalyan, Sreeleela, Raashii Khanna, among others, is expected to be in theatres in April 2026, although an exact date is yet to be announced. It was initially rumoured that the film is the remake of Vijay’s Theri, but Harish has refuted these claims.
Pawan Sadineni’s Dulquer Salmaan starrer, in which the actor is paired with Satvika Veeravalli, is expected to be in theatres in March 2026, a confirmation for which is yet to be officially made. Post the theatrical outing, the film will be on Netflix.
Nani’s highly-anticipated action thriller that reunites him with Dasara maker Srikant Odela, and has Janhvi Kapoor also on the cast, will be in theatres on March 26, 2026. Set in a slum in Secunderabad, the film, reportedly explores a marginalised tribe’s fight for rights. The Paradise is said to be Nani’s costliest film to date.
The sports action drama, written and directed by Pradeep Advaita and starring Roshan Meka, Anaswara Rajan, among others, hit theatres for Christmas 2025 and going by the streamer’s practice of bringing titles to the platform by the 30-day mark, Champion should be on OTT in a week’s time.
Also read: Champion Review: Roshan Meka's film has grand visuals, but emotions fall short
Billed as a fantasy that will take audiences on a rollercoaster ride of fun, thrills and emotions, the film by Shashank Yeletti is a fantasy starring Fahadh Faazil in the lead. The film went on floors in October 2025 and is expected to be in theatres sometime in mid-2026, following which it will be on Netflix.
Vishwak Sen and Kayadu Lohar headline director Jati Ratnalu maker Anudeep KV’s comedy entertainer, that was launched in December 2024. The film was initially expected to be one of the Valentine’s Day offerings this year, but then the makers announced an April 3, 2026 release date instead. The film is about a filmmaker’s dream crashing and turning his life into his biggest hit.
Mad and Mad Square director Kalyan Shankar’s next is reportedly Mad Juniors, which will not include the Mad franchise actors Narne Nithin, Sangeeth Shoban or Ram Nithin, but will instead have a host of newbies. The film is rumoured to have Karthi on board, although the Netflix announcement does not hint at any cast. The post read, “Some roommates don't knock before entering” along with a ghost emoji, hinting at it being a horror comedy.
Mad and Mad Square fame Sangeeth Shobhan’s solo hero project Raakaasa, directed by Manasa Sharma, will be in theatres on April 3, 2026, which was revealed only days ago, along with a title announcement. This is Sangeeth’s second collaboration with Manasa, after the web series Oka Chinna Family Story. The film also stars Nayan Sarika and is said to be a fantasy comedy, with a protagonist for whom bad luck is not a phase, but his best friend for life.
Sharwanand’s sports drama Biker, directed by Abhilash Reddy Kankara, was meant to be a 2025 theatrical release, but was then pushed ahead. The film, which also stars Malvika Nair, Brahmaji, Rajashekar, among others, is set against the backdrop of motorcross racing, showcasing the risks and challenges bikers face in races.
Debutant director Kirtan Nadagouda’s horror film, starring Surya Raj, Hanu Reddy, and Preethi Pagadala in key roles, had been bankrolled by the makers of the Pushpa franchise. Kirtan, an associate of director Prashant Neel, who has worked on both KGF and Salaar, was in the middle of production of 418, when he tragically lost his 4-year-old son, which stalled the shoot.
Much like last year, this time too, Vijay Deverakonda has a film listed by Netflix. This time around, it is the untitled period action drama set against British colonial India, directed by Rahul Sankrityan. Rashmika Mandanna and Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo also a part of the film. The film is expected to be one of the biggest Telugu movies of 2026.
Venkatesh’s first collaboration with Trivikram, which went on floors in early December and is expected to be a summer of 2026 theatrical release. The team is yet to announce further details about the cast and crew.
All these Telugu original films will be available with Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi audio options as well, the streamer announced.
Q. What are the films that Netflix has acquired in 2026?
A. Films like Ustad Bhagat Singh, The Paradise, Funky, Raakaasa, Aakasam Lo Oka Tara, among others have been picked up by Netflix for its 2026 lineup.
Q. Which is the first film from the Netflix Pandaga 2026 list that will be on OTT?
A. Roshan Meka's Champion, which released in theatres on December 25, 2025, will kickstart the 2026 Netflix lineup. The rest of the films are yet to release in theatres.
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