Dasara 2026: ‘Jailer 2’, ‘Ranabaali’, ‘Crazy Kalyanam’ and ‘Garividi Lakshmi’ hit Telugu screens

Four notable films will vie for attention during the Dasara festive period in the Telugu States. Rajinikanth-starrer Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, will be the first to arrive in theatres on October 15, in Tamil and dubbed Telugu versions. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s period drama Ranabaali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan, follows suit on October 16. Both of these big-budget films hope to draw the maximum footfall.

The trade circles in the Telugu film industry have traditionally considered the Dasara and Sankranti festive seasons to be the most lucrative, with people being more willing to spend during the cash-rich holiday season.

The Sankranti season saw Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju, and Sharwanand’s Nari Nari Naduma Murari emerging winners while the Prabhas-starrer The Raja Saab came under criticism for its lacklustre storytelling. The Ravi Teja film Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi fared better but did not make a mark. 

The industry has not had too many hits this year, barring a few films that include Samantha-starrer Maa Inti Bangaaram and Lenin led by Akhil Akkineni. 

October was expected to usher in fresh tidings, beginning with Trivikram Srinivas and Venkatesh’s Aadarsha Kutumbam - AK 47. 

Originally scheduled to release on October 2, then moved to October 9, the film has been postponed, with the makers citing a delay in post-production work.

All eyes are now on Ranabaali. 

Throwing their hats into the ring are two more films, Garividi Lakshmi and Crazy Kalyanam. Director Badrappa Gajula’s Crazy Kalyanam is pitched as a wacky comedy and stars Anupama Parameswaran, Tharun Bhascker, Naresh VK and Akhil Uddemari of Raju Weds Rambai fame. The film was initially slated to release on October 30 but advanced its date to October 16 to cash in on the holiday season.

Garividi Lakshmi, releasing on October 17,narrates the biopic of noted folk singer Garividi Lakshmi, tracing her journey to fame in the 1990s, when she combined music, stories and social commentary through her songs. Produced by People Media Factory, the biopic stars Anandhi in the title role and is directed by Gauri Naidu Jammu. Music by Charan Arjun is said to be the highlight of the film.