Dhandoraa didn’t have an easy run before release. The social drama was promoted aggressively, but momentum took a hit just a day before its premiere. Lead actor Sivaji’s comments on women’s dressing sparked
widespread backlash and dominated headlines. The controversy quickly overshadowed the film itself. Theatre footfalls dropped, protests grew louder and the film was pulled out of cinemas within a week.
At the time, it looked like Dhandoraa would quietly disappear. That didn’t quite happen.
Jr NTR’s Post Changes The Conversation
The narrative around the film shifted after Jr NTR watched it and shared his reaction publicly. In a post that surprised even the makers, he wrote: “Just watched #Dhandoraa. Deeply thought-provoking and powerful. Outstanding performances by Sivaji garu, Navdeep, Nandu, Ravi Krishna and Bindu Madhavi throughout… Hats off to director Murali Kanth garu for the strong writing and for executing such a rooted story so well. Ravindra Banerjee garu, kudos to you for backing this effort. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for supporting and being part of such a remarkable film.”
Just watched #Dhandoraa. Deeply thought-provoking and powerful. Outstanding performances by Sivaji garu, Navdeep, Nandu, Ravi Krishna and Bindu Madhavi throughout…
Hats off to director Murali Kanth garu for the strong writing and for executing such a rooted story so well.…
— Jr NTR (@tarak9999) January 19, 2026
OTT Buzz And Where To Watch
According to OTT Play, since landing on Amazon Prime Video, Dhandoraa has found steady traction. The film trended on the platform’s top ten list for several days, driven largely by word of mouth. For a film written off early, the OTT response has been a quiet comeback. It’s the kind of second life that theatrical releases rarely get, but streaming sometimes allows.
Dhandoraa Plot
Directed by Muralikanth Devasoth, Dhandoraa is set in a small village in Telangana. Sivaji plays an egotistic father deeply invested in caste hierarchy. When he refuses to allow his daughter to marry outside the caste, she dies by suicide, leaving the family fractured. The film tracks his moral collapse, the consequences of his beliefs and the slow, painful reckoning that follows.
It’s heavy, uncomfortable material, and that’s precisely why it’s drawn strong reactions.
Sivaji, who has been on a steady comeback since #90s and his role in Nani’s Court, pushes further here. His portrayal of a man consumed by hatred and control is central to the film’s impact, and clearly struck a chord with Jr NTR.
