MUMBAI – Excitement is high in Telugu film circles as Jatadhara readies for its theatrical release later in the year. Helmed by Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal, this Telugu-Hindi bilingual aims to offer a rare mix of ancient Indian folklore, striking effects, and fresh storytelling powered by AI.
Sudheer Babu leads in the role of a righteous hero, while Sonakshi Sinha makes her Telugu entry as the film’s complex villain. With the teaser launched on August 8 by ‘Rebel Star’ Prabhas, fans and critics are already buzzing about its potential. Here’s a closer look at Jatadhara’s story and its place in Telugu cinema.
Jatadhara’s Good vs Evil in a Mythic Setting
Jatadhara draws from tales connected to the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, unfolding a story packed with sacrifice, greed, and divine acts. The 72-second teaser highlights Sudheer Babu as a fierce warrior, wielding a flaming trident beneath the towering image of Lord Shiva.
His character is an ordinary man called to face mystical dangers, representing strength and integrity. Sudheer’s screen presence and complete physical change for the role have already started conversations about a career-best performance.
Across from him stands Sonakshi Sinha in her first Telugu outing, playing Dhanapisachini, a vengeful goddess. Her striking look—wild hair, piercing stare, and intricate jewellery—has stunned viewers.
The teaser presents her as a powerful dark force, a big shift from her usual Bollywood roles. Her turn as Dhanapisachini already has critics and fans calling her the highlight of the first look. The rivalry between Sudheer’s principled hero and Sonakshi’s terrifying goddess sets up a timeless battle between good and evil, with spiritual themes shaping the story.
Teaser Lights Up Social Media
The Jatadhara teaser sparked a wave of excitement online. On X, viewers shared their reactions, with users like @wallpapergalexy saying the teaser feels “not just a teaser—it’s a warning,” while praising Sudheer’s fiery persona and Sonakshi’s dramatic turn. @ETVBharatEng called it a “dark supernatural showdown,” heightening expectations for Sonakshi’s Telugu debut.
The #JatadharaTeaser hashtag quickly rose in the ranks, reflecting widespread interest in the film’s scale and mythological themes. Fans shared thoughts like, “Sudheer Babu with a trishool and Sonakshi as a demonic goddess? This is the pan-India film we were hoping for!”
The first poster, released on August 4, pushed interest even higher. It features Sudheer in a commanding pose under Lord Shiva’s watchful gaze beside Sonakshi as a foreboding goddess, emphasizing the film’s mystical feel.
Fans have examined every detail, speculating on the links between Lord Shiva and the story’s supernatural elements. Backed by Zee Studios and producer Prerna Arora—known for successful projects such as Rustom and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha—the film’s star power and production values have added to the hype of a wide release.
Critics Share Their Views
Jatadhara has caught the eye of Telugu movie critics. Many have praised the film’s big ambitions. While some note minor roughness in the visual effects, the overall look and strong sound design have been widely recognized.
The Times Now review singled out the strong atmosphere built by the photography and Sanskrit chants, noting Sudheer’s transformation as “impressive” and calling Sonakshi’s role “terrifying.”
The Indian Express remarked that although the teaser’s visuals may still need work, the final version could offer a much smoother experience, especially with Sonakshi’s fierce performance stealing the focus. Bollywood Hungama sees Jatadhara as a project that could change how mythological stories are told in Indian films.
Still, there are some reservations. The heavy use of visual effects and AI-driven storytelling, while fresh, brings some concerns over how smoothly everything will come together. A News18 reviewer pointed out that the movie’s impact will depend on balancing a big story with enough emotion, since these films sometimes focus only on visuals.
Reviewers also praised Venkat Kalyan’s move into directing after his editing work on films like Raakshasha Kaavyam and applauded Abhishek Jaiswal for his bold vision. Most seem to agree that Jatadhara could make a big mark if it delivers on its early promise.
Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha’s Paths to Jatadhara
Sudheer Babu is well-known in Telugu films for intense roles. His recent work in Harom Hara and Maa Nanna Superhero (2024) displayed his comfort with action as well as heartfelt stories.
In Harom Hara, he impressed as a tough arms dealer, while Maa Nanna Superhero showed him balancing action with emotional depth as a devoted father. Jatadhara makes use of his strong presence, and critics are already calling his appearance “commanding.” Sudheer himself has described the film as a life-changing experience, reflecting how much the setting and story have affected him.
For Sonakshi Sinha, Jatadhara is her first Telugu project. She has built a reputation in Tollywood with hits like Dabangg (2010) and recent streaming successes, including Heeramandi (2024) and Dahaad (2023).
She’s shown range in films such as Double XL (2022) and Nikita Roy (2025). While her big screen outings have had mixed reviews, critics have praised her streaming work. Taking on the role of Dhanapisachini fits her recent move towards more challenging parts. Her social media post marking the end of filming—“Bohot mazza aaya, bohot dhamaal kiya”—shows her genuine excitement for the project.
Setting New Standards for Telugu Mythological Films
Jatadhara aims to create a new space for mythological cinema, blending tradition, mysticism, and modern visuals. Produced by Zee Studios and Ess Kay Gee Entertainment, with names like Umesh Kumar Bansal and Prerna Arora involved, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Shilpa Shirodkar, Ravi Prakash, and Subhalekha Sudhakar.
The use of AI-assisted visual effects and music from Zee Music Co. highlights its intention to blend classic and contemporary styles, drawing in Telugu and Hindi-speaking audiences alike.
The exact release date hasn’t been announced, but reports suggest audiences can expect Jatadhara in cinemas later in 2025, after filming wrapped in May. The way the story explores mysteries tied to the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple adds a layer of cultural intrigue, pointing to its pan-India ambitions. The main challenges left are perfecting the effects and making sure the story doesn’t lose emotional depth.
As Jatadhara heads to release, it carries both high hopes and sharp eyes from critics and fans. Sudheer Babu’s powerful performance and Sonakshi Sinha’s bold debut as Dhanapisachini look set to deliver something memorable.
Telugu cinema is known for its rich mythological tales, and Jatadhara could raise the bar yet again. For audiences, it’s the start of a new chapter; for critics, it’s a wait to see if strong ideas lead to a strong movie. Either way, Jatadhara stands ready to announce itself as a major mythological film.
