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The ongoing financial troubles surrounding Akhanda 2: Thaandavam have unexpectedly drawn attention to Pawan Kalyan and his past approach to similar situations. Industry observers are comparing the challenges faced by Akhanda 2 with those encountered during the making of Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hara Veera Mallu, particularly in how both stars stepped in when their producers were in crisis.

Pawan Kalyan initially agreed to star in Hari Hara Veera Mallu primarily to support veteran producer AM Rathnam, who was struggling financially to initiate new projects. At the time, Pawan reportedly took no remuneration except for a nominal token amount. Production stalled due to repeated delays and the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by Pawan’s political responsibilities. This eventually led director Krish to step away from the project.

Despite the hurdles, Pawan agreed to charge only ₹11 crore — payable after the film’s release. He also helped Rathnam’s son, Jyothi Krishna, take over and push the project toward completion. As the release neared, financiers demanded clearance of long-pending dues, risking another postponement. Pawan stepped in again, waiving his ₹11 crore fee and personally assuring financiers, ensuring the film’s smooth release. He even broke his usual low-promotion pattern, actively participating in publicity campaigns, despite knowing the film might not perform well commercially.

Similarly, Nandamuri Balakrishna stepped up to support Raam Achanta and Gopi Achanta of 14 Reels Plus, who have faced financial setbacks for years. Balakrishna shifted Akhanda 2 to 14 Reels Plus and helped secure a Netflix deal along with strong theatrical business.

However, Balakrishna’s approach carried greater risks. The budget reportedly ballooned to nearly ₹200 crore, and director Boyapati Sreenu’s remuneration was said to be around ₹35 crore. Balakrishna himself charged a higher fee than in previous collaborations. Additionally, long-pending legal issues surrounding the production house were not addressed until the last minute, ultimately forcing the film’s postponement.

While Balakrishna has been aggressively promoting Akhanda 2 across multiple cities to support the producers, industry insiders feel that greater financial and legal due diligence ahead of release could have prevented the current crisis — a level of caution that Pawan Kalyan exhibited during Hari Hara Veera Mallu.