In recent times, Tollywood has witnessed a nostalgic wave as several old hit films have made a triumphant return to the theaters, inviting fans to relive cherished moments. This trend began with the re-release of Mahesh Babu’s iconic films, “Okkadu” and “Pokiri,” which received a warm reception from both fans and netizens. Despite unconventional screening times, such as early morning shows, the audience turnout demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for experiencing these classics on the big screen once again.
Buoyed by the success of Mahesh Babu’s films, Tollywood saw a flurry of re-releases, including beloved titles like “Kushi,” “Thammudu,” “Tholi Prema,” “Simhadri,” “Manmadhudu,” “Narasimha Naidu,” “Desamuduru,” “Billa,” “Varsham,” “Businessman,” and “Chatrapati.” The positive response prompted some entrepreneurs to turn this nostalgia trip into a business venture, acquiring old film prints, remastering them, and reintroducing them to theaters.
However, this trend faced a setback with the last two re-releases, particularly “Adhurs,” featuring Jr NTR, which failed to capture the audience’s interest despite high expectations, following the success of “Simhadri.” This unexpected outcome raised concerns about the sustainability of the re-release strategy. Adding to the uncertainty, the cancellation of the planned release of Rajinikanth’s “Muthu” due to sluggish ticket sales hinted at a potential shift in audience preferences. The latest disappointment came with the postponement of the release of Rajinikanth’s “Sivaji The Boss” on 12th December 2023, coinciding with his birthday, signaling a possible turning point in the revival of old classics on the silver screen.
