Hyderabad, Jan. 31 -- Tollywood's veteran actors Nandamuri Balakrishna and Venkatesh are enjoying great success. Their recent films, Daaku Maharaj and Sankranthiki Vastunnam, were big hits, proving their star power once again.

Balakrishna's Winning Streak

At 64, Balakrishna is at his peak. He recently won the Padma Bhushan and delivered another hit with Daaku Maharaj. Now, he is working on Akhanda 2 Thandavam, the sequel to his blockbuster Akhanda. Some key scenes were shot at the Kumbh Mela. Actress Samyuktha has replaced Pragya Jaiswal as the female lead.

Massive Budget and Pay Raise

Balakrishna is charging Rs. 40-45 crore for Akhanda 2, while director Boyapati Srinu is taking Rs. 30 crore. The film's budget is Rs 175 crore, and Tha...