The world is discussing an AI burst in 2026, which many believe is inevitable. Whether that happens or not can be debated, but a Tollywood burst in 2026 seems almost certain.

The case of Akhanda 2 is a classic example. The film’s budget has reportedly shot up to Rs 200 crore and has been sold for high prices on paper, yet the producers are still facing a severe financial crunch, largely due to the remunerations of the hero and the director and huge production costs.

Before the pandemic, there was already a strong sentiment in Tollywood that the industry was heading toward a major crisis, with audiences showing less interest in theatres. Even ace producers like D Suresh Babu warned of tough times ahead. But the COVID phase unexpectedly boosted OTT platforms, which began buying films at hi

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