There’s a scene in Om Shanti Om when Shah Rukh Khan’s character pretends to be a South Indian superstar, throws a tiger, defies physics and utters the now-infamous “Einda Raskala, mind it”. It was meant as a spoof, but showed how Hindi cinema portrays the scale and exaggeration of action films from the South.

The truth is that larger-than-life, logic-defying action was never limited to Telugu cinema, but in the Telugu states, it was certainly celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm. Heroes blew away 20 people with one kick, one jump could launch cars into orbit, and a casual wave of the hand could change the direction of the wind. A hero can walk through an explosion without a speck of dust, blow away villains’ hair dramatically with his eyes rather than a fan, and stop a speeding train with a single finger. He could dance an item song, confidently romance on-screen female actors half his age and still be projected as the state’s most eligible bachelor. And that was just the warm-up.

The villains came in 15 Tata Sumos, while the heroes appeared in 20, bullets were politely swung around them as a sign of respect, and a single punch could cause small earthquakes that were visible only to the background actors. Cigarettes started burning as she entered, the background score increased before she entered and temple bells started ringing even though the scene was not even set around a temple. In these films, the heroes didn’t defy logic—logic simply stepped aside and made way for them.

Over time, as sensibilities evolved and realism became fashionable, this formula began to be dismissed as outdated or poor. Most stars who relied on such tropes saw lesser results. But one person remained untouched by this change. In fact, they’ve only intensified the formula – and their viewership has only grown.

Watch the trailer of Daku Maharaj here:

At 65, Nandamuri Balakrishna is creating the kind of mass frenzy that both senior and young stars struggle to replicate. The question is, how is he able to accomplish this, and why does this formula still only work for him?

He didn’t adopt the genre – he shaped it

To understand why Balakrishna still succeeds on this formula, one has to go back to the late 1990s, when he helped define what would become Telugu mass cinema.

in 1999, Samarasimha Reddy It didn’t just release – it exploded. It revolutionized the field of mass action. It was not the first over-the-top film, but it changed the grammar of the genre with its approach, energy, exaggerated violence and moral drama. Balakrishna became the face of a cinematic style that didn’t need subtlety, because it had swag.

Then came the wave of the early 2000s. Narasimha Naidu (2001) Became a hit in the industry. Chennakeshava Reddy (2002) Strengthened faction aura. Lakshmi Narasimha (2004) Proving that even remakes can carry the unmistakable NBK imprint. Even when her career fluctuated between 2005 and 2010, her image never changed because the audience didn’t want it to.

Simha (2010) And Legend (2014) Remastered Storm for a new generation. These films did not modernize him; He reminded the audience why their old template did not need modernization. and when unbroken The post-Covid explosion wasn’t reinvention – it was the third big wave from a star whose brand has remained consistent for more than forty years.

Comfort food cinema: what brings its audiences back

Although many people criticize and make fun of Balakrishna’s films, mass cinema serves as comfort food for his fans. They know the recipe: fiery dialogue, heavy-handed drama, supernatural touches, mythological references and physics-defying action.

Unlike other stars who get trolled or rejected when they attempt something similar, Balakrishna’s version feels authentic. This is his language. His rhythm. his world.

Yes, he has done experimental films throughout his career. But he never abandoned the basic foundation that created him. He didn’t chase trends; He stuck to what connected him to his audience – and he rewarded that consistency.

Doing it all: The formula only he can apply

If someone else told the plot unbrokenIt would seem completely ineffective: separation of twins at birth, Aghora rituals, uranium mining, black magic, supernatural blessings, references to Hindu mythology and punching villains into alternate dimensions. There is a sequence where Balakrishna is seen literally taking out the soul of a goon – and the theaters erupted as if it was the most natural thing.

Here is the unbroken trailer:

On paper, none of this should work. On screen, it works because it is what it is. Where most stars strive for balance or subtlety, he leans toward the extremes. Where others try to tone things down to suit modern tastes, he amps up the madness. Fans connect with this conviction.

like movies simha, legend, akhand And Bhagwant Kesari Prove that this advanced universe survives only when Balakrishna is at its center.

Off-screen personality that reinforces the myth

There is no inconsistency between Balakrishna on-screen and Balakrishna off-screen. His public interactions, emotional reactions, dramatic speech patterns and intense body language reflect his cinematic identity.

He has reacted in this video of his which went viral recently. Akhand 2 The trailer – loud, emotional, animated – only reinforces the idea that he doesn’t run mass cinema; He lives it.

This fusion of personality and performance is rare. In an era where most actors maintain a polished, PR-trained public image, Balakrishna feels refreshingly different, making his myth seem even more real. Yes, there are people who publicly criticize his behavior, sometimes rightly so, but there are also people who celebrate it, calling it raw and real.

right director at the right time

His resurgence in the last four years is not accidental. It is built on collaboration with directors who understand his metre, his strengths and his legendary tone.

Boyapati Srinu broke the formula Simha, the legend and later unbrokenThe film that revived the ecosystem on a large scale after Covid.

like movies Gautamiputra Satakarni It displayed historical grandeur mixed with intensity. Bhagwant Kesari Introduced emotional weight without losing levity. even like movies dacoit chef He was posted at such places which enhanced rather than weakened Balakrishna’s personality.

These directors did not try to mold him into any modern framework. They built the world around him – and that makes all the difference.

Akhand 2 is going to be nothing different

At 65, when most stars are back to quiet, restrained roles, Balakrishna is preparing to step up this madness Akhand 2The trailer alone, with its extreme action, mythological fury, dual roles and supernatural theatrics, makes it clear that he is ready to push the boundaries even further,

Watch the trailer of Akhand 2 here:

And the audience is quite ready, because Balakrishna is a star whose meter has not changed despite the industry. Balakrishna’s journey proves one thing: cinema evolves, tastes change, trends fade, but authenticity never goes out of style. At 65, he stands as the last man of the genre he shaped. And the way things are, that’s not going to stop any time soon.