Balakrishna in talks with Marco director Haneef Adeni for a big budget action drama, here's what we know
Balakrishna, who scored a big flop with Akhanda 2, is maintaining a low profile and is busy with his upcoming project. His next film has become a talking point all over.
Last Updated: 05.09 PM, Feb 02, 2026
Nandamuri Balakrishna had scored back-to-back hits in his career and pinned all his hopes on the sequel to Akhanda. Titled Akhanda 2, the film brought back the successful combination of Boyapati Srinu and Balakrishna for the fourth time. However, the action drama, which hit the screens on December 12, 2025, ended up as a massive flop at the box office.
What are Balakrishna's upcoming films in Telugu?
Since then, Balakrishna has maintained a low profile and is currently busy with his new film, which is being directed by Gopichand Malineni. Now, an interesting piece of information is doing the rounds in Telugu film circles. As per the latest buzz, Balakrishna is in talks with noted director Haneef Adeni, who last delivered the blockbuster Malayalam film Marco.
The buzz in film circles is that Balakrishna is in advanced discussions with Haneef Adeni for a full-fledged action drama. A source close to the actor has revealed that popular filmmaker Dil Raju is backing this project and has initiated talks with the director.
Noted filmmaker to back Balakrishna's next
The source further adds that after the success of Marco, Dil Raju approached Haneef Adeni to make a pan-India film. Initially, a younger star was supposed to act in the project, but due to date issues, he left the film. Now, Dil Raju has reportedly begun discussions with Balakrishna. However, an official confirmation regarding the project is still awaited.
This news is slowly gaining traction in industry circles. Balakrishna is known for his mass entertainers, while Haneef Adeni’s style of filmmaking is entirely different, making this a very interesting combination. If the project materializes, Balakrishna could be seen in a completely new avatar.
Marco creates a sensation at the box office
Marco, which is currently streaming on OTT platforms, turned out to be a blockbuster at the box office and also performed exceptionally well in the Telugu states. The action sequences, in particular, were appreciated for their raw and brutal presentation.
Balakrishna’s energetic screen presence and commercial action style, combined with Haneef Adeni’s intense filmmaking, could make for an intriguing crossover.
Dil Raju, who is known for mounting big-budget films, has been cautious with star-driven projects after the debacle of Game Changer starring Ram Charan. However, this potential collaboration has certainly piqued the interest of Balakrishna’s fans. Only time will tell whether the director officially comes on board and the project moves forward.
Balakrishna film FAQs
Q. Is Akhanda 2 a hit or a flop?
A. Akhanda 2 is a big flop at the box office. Made on a budget of Rs 150 crore, the action drama made just Rs 85 crore as per Sacnilk
Q. Where to stream Akhanda 2 on OTT?
A. You can stream the film on Netflix.
Q. Which film is Balakrishna shooting for?
A. Balakrishna will soon start shooting for his next in the direction of Gopichand Malineni.