My Path Is Straight, My Word Is Straight: Balakrishna

Nandamuri Balakrishna delivered an electrifying speech at the Akhanda 2 pre-release event, thanking fans for their unwavering support. Calling their affection a blessing earned over many lifetimes, he described the bond between him and his audience as eternal. He opened the event by extending heartfelt gratitude to the massive gathering that turned the celebration into a festive spectacle.

The actor paid deep respects to his father, legendary actor and statesman Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, calling him his guiding force, courage and divine inspiration. Balakrishna said that every achievement in his life traces back to NTR’s blessings and the values he instilled. He shared that he always keeps fans at the heart of his decisions and strives to deliver good cinema with a meaningful purpose.

Speaking about his recent collaboration with director Gopichand Malineni, Balakrishna shared a powerful dialogue from the film, asserting that the one who rewrites history again and again is only one. He described cinema as an inner energy that needs to be captured and credited divine grace for his ability to serve as an actor, MLA and cancer hospital chairman.

Touching on the success of Akhanda during the pandemic, he thanked the Telugu audience for supporting the film at a time when fear was widespread across the country. Balakrishna highlighted the spiritual depth of Akhanda 2, stating that the Rudra Tandavam within him has taken form and that the audience will witness that intensity on screen. He praised director Boyapati Sreenu, saying their collaboration is instinctive and seamless.

Balakrishna revealed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath watched the trailer and additional footage during his recent visit. He appreciated the CM’s comments praising how the film showcases the power, valor and dignity of Sanatana Dharma. Calling the film an Ugadi Pachadi of emotions, Balakrishna assured audiences that it contains every rasa that a mass entertainer needs.

The actor applauded the performances of Sanya Thakur, Aadi Pinisetty and Murali Mohan, while reserving special praise for music director Thaman. He called Thaman’s work exceptional and said that the film’s music itself is a guarantee of success. He also spoke about the challenging shoot across freezing locations in Georgia and thanked his makeup and costume teams for handling the intense transformations required.

Balakrishna concluded his speech by confirming that he dubbed for the Hindi version as well and expressed gratitude to the entire team behind the project. Thanking fans once again for making the event a grand success, he urged everyone to return home safely and ended with a powerful patriotic salute: “Jai Hind.”