Telugu cinema’s most celebrated fantasy drama Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari is all set for a grand re-release in 35mm print to mark its 35th anniversary. Originally released on May 9, 1990, the film returns in a digitally remastered 3D version on May 9, 2025, offering a fresh, nostalgic spin for both longtime fans and those who have never had the pleasure.
The re-release is being led by the film’s producer Aswani Dutt (who produced the original version) and his son-in-law, noted director Nag Ashwin (Kalki 2898 AD, Yevade Subramanyam), and they step forward to bring the movie back to the cinemas.
Chiranjeevi Remembers Sridevi and The Film’s Legacy
Ahead of the re-release, megastar Chiranjeevi reminisced about working with late Sridevi, who essayed the celestial character, Indraja. “I am missing Sridevi ji a lot today on my birthday. She was the center of gravity here JVAS and her role just felt like a dream. That film was our first as a pair and as a couple and the chemistry was amazing,” he said in a heartfelt tribute.
The film's special screenings are scheduled to take place in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and when in Hyderabad, will be attended by several personalities including Chiranjeevi himself.
Talks of a Sequel Spark Buzz
Fans had been eagerly waiting for a sequel and now Chiranjeevi may have given them hope. “My first thought was not to have a sequel at all,” he said. “But now, I would like to watch Nag Ashwin direct it with Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead. There might be a very strong connection to the first one and it will be a dream come true.”
History at the Box Office and in Culture
Filmed on a rather fat budget of Rs 2 crore, the success of Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari resulted in collections of Rs 15 crore — a giant amount when it was released. Rs 5 tickets allegedly fetched Rs 200 in the black-market trade upon release. With the kind of music rendered by none other than Ilaiyaraaja, music and an assembly line direction by K. Raghavendra Rao, the film also cast the late Amrish Puri as the antagonist.
Trade analysts said the industry, which is hungry to the point of desperation for a blockbuster hit, could rely on two diverse groups — the grown-ups who were moved to tears as children and the younger set who want to see an updated take on this timeless fable.
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