Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 Finds No Takers in Telugu States?

Despite reports suggesting that Suresh Productions is planning to release the Telugu version of the Hindi film Kesari Chapter 2, top Telugu distributor and exhibitor Suneil Narang has denied any involvement. “We are not releasing the film in the Telugu states. The rumours linking us to it are false and baseless,” he clarified.

The film, a historical courtroom drama starring Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan, is produced by Dharma Productions. Its Telugu version is scheduled for a May 23 release-but it appears no Telugu distributor has shown interest.

A prominent distributor noted that Kesari Chapter 2 had only a moderate performance in the Hindi-speaking market, making it an unattractive proposition for buyers in the South. “The story, which centers on C. Sankaran Nair’s legal fight against the British after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, has limited appeal in the Telugu states,” he said.

He contrasted this with the recent success of Chhavva, another Hindi film that was well-received across India. The Telugu version of Chhavva earned over ₹4 crore in net collections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, it was released on a commission basis, where profits were shared between the local distributor and the Hindi producers, minimizing risk.

He further explained that most Bollywood films are no longer being acquired on an outright basis—where distributors pay large sums upfront for rights. Instead, films like Sikandar, Emergency Deva, Sky Force, and Raid 2 followed a distribution model, where earnings are split only if the film performs well.

“The market has changed,” he added. “Telugu distributors are cautious now. With audiences in Telangana already watching Hindi versions directly, the risk is too high, while he has to make good in Andhra Pradesh. Hindi films dubbed in Telugu no longer hold the same charm they once did in the Telugu belt.”