This festive weekend, Telugu cinema is set for an exciting showdown at the box office with four films clashing for audience attention. On March 28, 2025, Mohanlal’s much-anticipated film, L2 Empuraan, hit theaters, taking a massive opening worldwide. The Telugu-dubbed version also saw a strong start, thanks in part to its distribution by Dil Raju’s SVC, which secured good theater placements in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Alongside L2 Empuraan, Vikram’s dubbed film Veera Dheera Shoora was released, albeit with minimal buzz. However, the spotlight this weekend firmly belongs to the biggest Telugu release, Robinhood, starring Nithiin. With the festive atmosphere surrounding Ugadi and Ramzan celebrations, the makers of Robinhood are optimistic about its performance at the box office. Nithiin has been actively promoting the film, exuding confidence about its success.
Robinhood is a Telugu heist comedy that has been in the making for over two years. The film revolves around Ram, a skilled thief played by Nithiin, who unexpectedly finds himself tasked with protecting Neera, the daughter of a billionaire, portrayed by Sreeleela. The film promises an engaging storyline filled with action, humor, romance, and unexpected twists. Nithiin acknowledged that while Robinhood shares a similar concept with Ravi Teja’s blockbuster Kick, it diverges significantly after the first twenty minutes, offering a fresh take on the genre. “The film takes a fresh route and offers amazing comedy. It has action, romance, songs, and, most importantly, twists and turns that everyone will love,” Nithiin stated.
The film also features a robust supporting cast, including Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad, Subhalekha Sudhakar, and Shine Tom Chacko, among others. Directed by Venky Kudumula and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, Robinhood has generated considerable anticipation among audiences. The trailer has created a positive buzz, showcasing a perfect mix of comedy and drama.
In addition to Robinhood, another film releasing the same day is Mad Square, a comedy sequel featuring Narne Nithiin, Sangeeth Sobhan, and Ram Nithiin. This release is expected to add to the competitive landscape at the box office.
As the weekend progresses, the competition intensifies with the upcoming release of Salman Khan’s Sikandar on March 30, 2025. With multiple big releases from March 27 to March 30, the box office is poised for a packed and thrilling battle.
Sreeleela, who plays Neera in Robinhood, is making her proper comeback after a year-long break from lead roles. She previously made a special appearance in Pushpa 2: The Rule but is now excited to take on a significant character in Robinhood. Speaking about her role, she said, “I play Neera Vasudev, an NRI who has returned to India. Neera lives in her own world and thinks that the whole world revolves around her.” Sreeleela also shared that she replaced Rashmika Mandanna, who was initially considered for the role but could not commit due to scheduling conflicts. “Rashmika gaaru really liked this role but didn't do it because she couldn't make the dates. When I met her during Pushpa 2 shooting, she wished me all the best,” Sreeleela added.
Reflecting on her year-long hiatus, Sreeleela noted, “In 2023, I had back-to-back releases. I also worked 4-5 shifts a day. So in my final year of college, I planned my gap accordingly. However, I could not do many good films during this gap.” Her previous notable release was Bhagavanth Kesari, in which she shared screen space with Balakrishna. Sreeleela expressed pride in her performance in that film, stating, “After Bhagwant Kesari, everyone started calling me Viji Papa. I want to do more such films where people remember my character’s name.”
In addition to her work in Telugu cinema, Sreeleela is also set to star in a Hindi film alongside Kartik Aaryan. However, she emphasized her commitment to the Telugu film industry, stating, “Telugu industry is my home. Going to Bollywood will never happen. Impossible.”
The excitement surrounding these films reflects a vibrant period for Telugu cinema, with a mix of established stars and fresh narratives captivating audiences. As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on the box office numbers and audience reactions, determining which film will emerge victorious in this competitive landscape.
