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For decades, Telugu audiences have warmly welcomed dubbed films from other languages, often making them massive hits. Among all film industries in India, Tollywood has consistently shown the most openness to content, regardless of where it originates. However, a recent trend has sparked criticism—filmmakers are increasingly releasing dubbed versions with original titles that hold no meaning in Telugu.

This issue has once again come into the spotlight with Mohanlal’s upcoming Malayalam film Thudarum. In Malayalam, Thudarum means “To Be Continued,” but it carries no significance for Telugu-speaking audiences. Despite this, the makers have released the poster and trailer in Telugu without altering the title or improving the dubbing quality.

This isn’t an isolated case. Previously, films like Ponniyin Selvan retained their original titles in Telugu, with the team claiming there were no suitable alternatives. Similarly, Kantara held on to its Kannada-rooted title, and Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyaan followed suit. Mohanlal’s recent film Empuraan and Naslen’s Alappuzha Gymkhana were also released without any title change. Even Suriya’s upcoming film Retro is set to release in Telugu with the same title.

This growing trend has sparked a debate within Telugu film circles. Many feel that it’s disrespectful to the language and sends the wrong message—that Telugu audiences must accept unfamiliar and untranslated titles, while other industries maintain strong linguistic pride. Critics argue that while regional industries often unite in resisting Hindi dominance, they should also show mutual respect by embracing linguistic diversity among themselves.

Ultimately, this is not about one or two films—it reflects a deeper concern that the Telugu language is slowly being sidelined in the name of pan-India branding. Respect for local audiences begins with language, and it’s time the industry acknowledged that.