Hey Balwanth
| Hey Balwanth | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gopi Atchara |
| Screenplay by | Gopi Atchara |
| Story by | Shanmukha Prashanth |
| Produced by | B. Narendra Reddy |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mahi Reddy Pandugula |
| Edited by | Viplav Nyshadam |
| Music by | Vivek Sagar |
Production company | Trishul Visionary Studios |
| Distributed by |
|
Release date |
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Running time | 134 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Hey Balwanth (internationally released as Hey Bhagawan) is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film co-written and directed by Gopi Atchara, in his directorial debut. The film stars Suhas, Shivani Nagaram, and Naresh. Produced by B. Narendra Reddy under the banner of Trishul Visionary Studios, the film was released theatrically on 20 February 2026.[1]
Plot
Krishna is a young man in Guntur who is eager to inherit the business legacy of his father, Rao Balwanth, though he is unaware of the actual nature of the business. Krishna falls in love with Mithra, an idealistic woman who runs an NGO. His life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers that his father's "business" is actually a lodge involved in illegal activities. The story explores the father-son emotional dynamic as Krishna struggles to hide the truth from Mithra while navigating the ethical dilemma of his family's livelihood.
Cast
- Suhas as Krishna Balwanth
- Shivani Nagaram as Mithra
- Naresh as Rao Balwanth, Krishna's father
- Vennela Kishore
- Ajay Ghosh
- Sudharshan
- Harsha Vardhan
- Annapurna
Production
The film was initially titled Hey Bhagawan, but just four days prior to its release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) requested a title change due to concerns over religious sentiments.[2]
Critical reception
Suhas Sistu of The Hans India wrote, "Hey Balwanth works best as a feel-good social dramedy that balances humour with emotion. Its clean comedy, heartfelt dialogues, and relatable father-son dynamics give it strong emotional grounding".[3] Suresh Kavirayani of Cinema Express wrote, "Hey Balwanth offers intermittent laughs and a few emotional moments. While the story’s backdrop isn’t entirely convincing, the director manages to present it in an entertaining way".[4] Divya Shree of The Times of India wrote, "Despite a few tonal inconsistencies, director Gopi Atchara effectively weaves together familial conflict and situational humour, shaping the film into a fairly engaging and dependable comedy entertainer".[5]
References
- ^ "Suhas' Hey Bhagawan renamed to Hey Balwanth at last minute amid censor objection". The Indian Express. 16 February 2026. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Suhas' Hey Bhagawan retitled Hey Balwanth after censor objection". India Today. 16 February 2026. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ Sistu, Suhas (20 February 2026). "Hey Balwanth: A heartfelt, clean comedy-drama". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (20 February 2026). "Hey Balwanth Movie Review: A message-laden film that entertains in parts". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ Shree, Divya (21 February 2026). "Hey Balwanth Movie Review: A sensitive comedy drama that blends heart and humour". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
External links
- Hey Balwanth at IMDb