Thaman had once become a clear favorite among Nandamuri Balakrishna's fans, especially after the thundering music and background score he delivered for Akhanda Veera Simha Reddy, and later Daaku Maharaaj.
His work elevated Balakrishna's screen presence and played a huge role in the mass impact of those films. Fans went to the extent of fondly calling him "Nandamuri Thaman," acknowledging how well he seemed to understand Balakrishna's aura and rhythm.
Naturally, expectations were sky-high for Akhanda 2. Thaman himself promised that he would go a step ahead of the first part and raise the bar musically. However, post-release, the general opinion among fans and audiences is that the magic did not repeat itself.
The biggest complaint is about the background score. While Akhanda had a loud BGM, it carried raw energy and purpose. In Akhanda 2, the score is even louder but often feels excessive. Instead of amplifying emotions, it turns into noise in several portions. The impact that once gave goosebumps now feels diluted due to overuse. Overall, Thaman could not recreate the electrifying effect he delivered in the last few Balakrishna films.
Because of this, a section of Balakrishna fans now feels that the combination has become repetitive. Thaman has been associated with Balakrishna for nearly six films, and many believe the sound has started to feel monotonous. Fans are openly suggesting that Balakrishna should take a break from Thaman for at least his next two projects and explore a new music director, starting after his film with Gopichand Malineni. They want fresh sounds to keep the experience new and exciting.
At the same time, there is also a counter-opinion among fans. Some still believe that no one understands Balakrishna's mass pulse better than Thaman. They feel that while Akhanda 2 may have missed the mark, Thaman can bounce back strongly if he reinvents himself. They also argue that a different composer might not even deliver the basic impact that Thaman currently provides.
Still, the shift in sentiment is hard to ignore. The journey from "Nandamuri Thaman" to "Avoid Thaman for now" shows how sharply expectations have changed. For future films, both Balakrishna and Thaman may need to rethink their approach if they want to recreate the magic that once made this pairing so special.