Niishad Shetty at 09:14, 3 March 2026

2026-03-03T09:14:34Z

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{{Short description|2024 Indian Telugu-language film by Viswanath Pratap}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Balu Gani Talkies
| image = Balu Gani Talkies.jpg
| caption = Release poster
| director = Viswanath Pratap
| story = Viswanath Pratap
| producer = Sreenidhi Sagar
| starring = {{plain list|
* Shivakumar Ramachandravarapu
* Saranya Sharma
}}
| screenplay = {{plain list|
* Ashwith Gautam
* Viswanath Pratap
}}
| music = '''Score'''<br/>Aditya B.N<br>'''Songs'''<br/>Smaran
| cinematography = Balu Sandilyasa
| editing = Anwar ali
| studio =
| distributor = [[Aha (streaming service)|Aha]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2024|10|4}}
| runtime = 122 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
}}

'''''Balu Gani Talkies''''' is a 2024 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[comedy thriller]] film co-written and directed by Viswanath Pratap.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aha Announces New Period Comedy-drama Balu Gani Talkies With Jai Balayya Theme |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/aha-announces-new-period-comedy-drama-balu-gani-talkies-with-jai-balayya-theme-8975689.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=30 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930065831/https://www.news18.com/movies/aha-announces-new-period-comedy-drama-balu-gani-talkies-with-jai-balayya-theme-8975689.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film stars Shiva Ramachandra Varapu and Saranya Sharma in the lead roles.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-19 |title=Balu Gani Talkies’ is coming on OTT next month; here’s where you can stream this Telugu web series |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/balu-gani-talkies-is-coming-on-ott-next-month-heres-where-you-can-stream-this-telugu-web-series/articleshow/112633537.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-01-03 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=19 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819182736/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/balu-gani-talkies-is-coming-on-ott-next-month-heres-where-you-can-stream-this-telugu-web-series/articleshow/112633537.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was released on [[Aha (streaming service)|Aha]] on 4 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-25 |title=Balu Gani Talkies OTT Release Update: When And Where To Watch Shiva Rama Chandravarapu's Telugu Web Series |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/entertainment/balu-gani-talkies-ott-release-update-when-and-where-to-watch-shiva-rama-chandravarapu-telugu-web-series-10190206 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=English Jagran |language=en |archive-date=25 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925180904/https://english.jagran.com/entertainment/balu-gani-talkies-ott-release-update-when-and-where-to-watch-shiva-rama-chandravarapu-telugu-web-series-10190206 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Plot ==
The story is set in a small village and follows Balu, a passionate fan of [[Nandamuri Balakrishna]]. Balu owns an old cinema theater that has seen better days and has been reduced to screening adult films to survive. Balu dreams of reviving his theater's glory by screening a Balakrishna film, but his journey is fraught with obstacles. The film explores Balu's struggles and the lengths he goes to in order to fulfill his dream. The narrative emphasizes the impact of cinema on rural communities and the challenges faced by small theater owners.

== Cast ==
* Shivakumar Ramachandravarapu as Balaraju "Balu"
* Saranya Sharma as Sasi
* [[Raghu Kunche]] as Chennakesavulu
* Vishvanath Sharma
* Sudhakar Reddy
* Vamsi Nekkanti
* Suresh Pujari
* Kethiri Sudhakar Reddy

== Release ==
''Balu Gani Talkies'' was originally scheduled to be released on [[Aha (streaming service)|Aha]] on 13 September 2024,{{cn|date=January 2025}} but was ultimately released on 4 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-09-21 |title=Balu Gani Talkies gets a new OTT premiere date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Sep/21/balu-gani-talkies-gets-a-new-ott-premiere-date |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Cinema Express |language=en |archive-date=30 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230134634/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Sep/21/balu-gani-talkies-gets-a-new-ott-premiere-date |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception ==
Swaroop Kodur of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter India]]'' gave a positive review saying, "''Balu Gani Talkies'' is an amusing watch because it is self-aware and contained to a good measure" and appreciating Viswanath Pratap's work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Balu Gani Talkies’ Review: An Amusing Thriller Too Smart for Its Own Good |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/balu-gani-talkies-review-an-amusing-thriller-too-smart-for-its-own-good |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The Hollywood Reporter India |language=en |archive-date=4 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004133439/https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/balu-gani-talkies-review-an-amusing-thriller-too-smart-for-its-own-good |url-status=live }}</ref> Having a similar opinion, Ravi Prakash of ''[[The Hans India]]'' stated, "Vishwanath Prathap's direction and writing are strong points in ''Balu Gani Talkies''".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prakash |first=Ravi |date=2024-10-25 |title=Wondering Why ‘Balu Gani Talkies’ Is a Hit on OTT? Here’s the Scoop |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/wondering-why-balu-gani-talkies-is-a-hit-on-ott-heres-the-scoop-916990 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|27479184}}
* [https://www.aha.video/movie/balu-gani-talkies ''Balu Gani Talkies''] on [[Aha (streaming service)|Aha]]
[[Category:2024 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:2024 Indian films]]
[[Category:2024 films]]
[[Category:Films set in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:2024 direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:Aha (streaming service) original films]]
[[Category:Indian crime thriller films]]
[[Category:2024 crime thriller films]]

Balu Gani Talkies - Revision history

Niishad Shetty at 09:14, 3 March 2026