# Pelli SandaD
**Pelli SandaD** (పెళ్లి సందD) is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language musical romantic comedy directed by Gowri Ronanki, starring Roshan Meka and [Sreeleela](https://www.edgepedia.org/sreeleela) as a basketball player and the young woman he loves against her father's wishes[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pelli_sandad). It was released on 15 October 2021 as a Dussehra festive release and is a sequel to the 1996 Telugu hit *Pelli Sandadi*, directed by [K. Raghavendra Rao](https://www.edgepedia.org/k-raghavendra-rao), who appears on screen for the first time in his career and supervised the new film's direction[2](https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/pelli-sanda-d/) • [3](https://www.ottplay.com/review/pelli-sandad-movie-review-stay-away-from-this-stale-outdated-mess-of-a-family-entertainer/9c17340004731/1000).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | 15 October 2021 (India, theatrical), Telugu language, U certificate[4](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/pelli-sandad-movie-112094) |
| Director / supervision | Gowri Ronanki (directorial debut); direction supervised by K. Raghavendra Rao, who also makes his acting debut[3](https://www.ottplay.com/review/pelli-sandad-movie-review-stay-away-from-this-stale-outdated-mess-of-a-family-entertainer/9c17340004731/1000) |
| Lead cast | Roshan Meka (son of actor Srikanth) as Vashishta; Sreeleela in her Telugu debut as Sahasra[5](https://telugucinema.com/videos/pelli-sandad-teaser-krrs-brand-of-love-story) |
| Music | M.M. Keeravani, who also scored the 1996 original[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/oct/27/malavika-nair-signs-pelli-sandad-20998.html) |
| Production | Arka Media Works and RK Film Associates; producers Madhavi Kovelamudi, Shobu Yarlagadda, and Prasad Devineni[4](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/pelli-sandad-movie-112094) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 22 minutes (142 minutes)[7](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15427878) |
| Box office | India net ₹94.1 million (₹9.41 crore), worldwide ₹111 million (₹11.10 crore) against a ₹70 million (₹7 crore) budget; verdict "Hit"[8](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Pelli_SandaD_2021) |
| Streaming | Zee5, from 24 June 2022[9](https://nettv4u.com/movie-review/telugu/pelli-sandad) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
The film is framed as a story being told for a biopic. An aspiring filmmaker wants to make a biographical film on Vashishta, a [Dhyan Chand](https://www.edgepedia.org/dhyan-chand) awardee and basketball champion, and the reluctant sportsman agrees to narrate how he won his lady love, Sahasra[3](https://www.ottplay.com/review/pelli-sandad-movie-review-stay-away-from-this-stale-outdated-mess-of-a-family-entertainer/9c17340004731/1000).
In the flashback, Vashishta (Roshan Meka) meets Sahasra (Sreeleela) at a family wedding and the two fall in love at first sight[4](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/pelli-sandad-movie-112094). The obstacle is Sahasra's father Pattabhi Ramayya ([Prakash Raj](https://www.edgepedia.org/prakash-raj)), a strict patriarch opposed to love marriages, who instead wants her to marry her cousin Chintoo[3](https://www.ottplay.com/review/pelli-sandad-movie-review-stay-away-from-this-stale-outdated-mess-of-a-family-entertainer/9c17340004731/1000) • [9](https://nettv4u.com/movie-review/telugu/pelli-sandad). The older Vashishta and the older Sahasra are played by K. Raghavendra Rao and [Deepti Bhatnagar](https://www.edgepedia.org/deepti-bhatnagar), the latter having starred in the 1996 original[10](https://telugu.yousay.tv/en/tfidb/movie/Pelli_SandaD_cxtUZGSWC5). The story follows how Vashishta convinces the parents on both sides and wins both Sahasra and his basketball final[11](https://www.gulte.com/moviereviews/126941/movie-review-pelli-sandad).
## Production
Gowri Ronanki, a longtime assistant of K. Raghavendra Rao, brought a one-line idea to the veteran director in March 2020; the two developed the script through daily Zoom meetings[12](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/director-k-raghavendra-rao-starrer-pelli-sandad-is-a-family-entertainer-based-on-marriage-says-films-director-gowri-ronanki/). Ronanki described the project as a debut for both teacher and student: Rao's first film as an actor and her first as a director[12](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/director-k-raghavendra-rao-starrer-pelli-sandad-is-a-family-entertainer-based-on-marriage-says-films-director-gowri-ronanki/).
**Casting and shooting.** Roshan Meka, the eldest son of Srikanth, the hero of the 1996 film, plays the lead; Kannada actress Sreeleela makes her Telugu debut as the female lead[5](https://telugucinema.com/videos/pelli-sandad-teaser-krrs-brand-of-love-story) • [6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/oct/27/malavika-nair-signs-pelli-sandad-20998.html). The film went on floors in December 2020 and was wrapped by July 2021, with cinematographer Sunil Kumar Nama shooting in [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad) and Kashmir[12](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/director-k-raghavendra-rao-starrer-pelli-sandad-is-a-family-entertainer-based-on-marriage-says-films-director-gowri-ronanki/). The supporting cast includes [Rajendra Prasad](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajendra-prasad), Rao Ramesh, Vennela Kishore, Posani Krishna Murali, Tanikella Bharani, Jhansi, and Shakalaka Shankar[4](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/pelli-sandad-movie-112094).
## Music
M.M. Keeravani, who composed for the 1996 *Pelli Sandadi*, returned for the sequel[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/oct/27/malavika-nair-signs-pelli-sandad-20998.html). Released songs include "Premante Enti" (sung by [Haricharan](https://www.edgepedia.org/haricharan) and [Shweta Pandit](https://www.edgepedia.org/shweta-pandit), shot in Kashmir), "Bujjulu Bujjulu" ([Baba Sehgal](https://www.edgepedia.org/baba-sehgal) and Mangli), "Pelli Sandhadi", "Madhura Nagari", "Gandharva Lokala", and "Hayam Vashishta"[4](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/pelli-sandad-movie-112094). Lyrics were written by Shivashakthi Datta and Chandrabose, and choreography was handled by Shekar VJ[13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIzDDbIFoI0).
Reviewers were divided on the score. OTTplay called Keeravani's music "the only balm from the chaos", praising numbers such as "Madhura Nagarilo" and "Premante Yenti" as beautifully choreographed[3](https://www.ottplay.com/review/pelli-sandad-movie-review-stay-away-from-this-stale-outdated-mess-of-a-family-entertainer/9c17340004731/1000), while TeluguBulletin found "Bujjulu Bujjulu" underwhelming and lacking the composer's trademark[14](https://www.telugubulletin.com/bujjulu-bujjulu-song-from-pellisanda-d-is-underwhelming-130843).
## Reception
**Critical response.** Critics reviewed the film negatively. Gulte rated it 1.5 out of 5, calling the story weak and the narration dated, and noting that the film's title promised a fun (sandadi) the film did not deliver[11](https://www.gulte.com/moviereviews/126941/movie-review-pelli-sandad). OTTplay, also at 1.5 out of 5, wrote that the film was "a celebration of every possible cliche in Telugu cinema" and neither worked as a standalone film nor as a sequel[3](https://www.ottplay.com/review/pelli-sandad-movie-review-stay-away-from-this-stale-outdated-mess-of-a-family-entertainer/9c17340004731/1000). NTV Telugu rated it 2 out of 5, observing that the new film's story has no connection to the 1996 original beyond the shared themes of love and marriage[15](https://ntvtelugu.com/top-story/pelli-sandad-movie-review-68415.html). NetTV4U gave 2.25 out of 5, crediting Roshan's improved performance over his debut in *Nirmala Convent* and Rao's decent acting debut[9](https://nettv4u.com/movie-review/telugu/pelli-sandad).
**Audience response and box office.** The film performed better with audiences than with critics. BookMyShow recorded a user rating of 7 out of 10 from more than 15,200 votes[16](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/pelli-sandad/ET00311382), while IMDb users rated it 3.0 out of 10[7](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15427878). OTTplay attributed the commercial success to the film being one of the first family entertainers released after the second wave of COVID-19, its timing against the more serious *Maha Samudram* and urban *Most Eligible Bachelor*, and the appeal of Keeravani's songs and the leads' dancing[17](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/the-unlikely-success-story-of-pelli-sandad-the-dussehra-release-thats-setting-the-box-office-on-fire/bc58170494692).
Sacnilk reports a ₹70 million (₹7 crore) budget against ₹94.1 million (₹9.41 crore) net in India and ₹111 million (₹11.10 crore) worldwide, a "Hit" verdict, with opening-day net collections of ₹20.2 million (₹2.02 crore)[8](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Pelli_SandaD_2021). TrackTollywood lists an AP/[Telangana](https://www.edgepedia.org/telangana) full-run distributor share of ₹64.8 million (₹6.48 crore), led by Nizam (₹10 million (₹1 crore)) and Ceded (₹17 million (₹1.7 crore))[18](https://tracktollywood.com/pelli-sandad/).
## Relation to the 1996 original
The 1996 *Pelli Sandadi*, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao and starring Srikanth, Ravali, and Deepti Bhatnagar, was a musical romance about a musician from a family devoted to music who falls in love with a woman he has seen only in dreams, not knowing his family has arranged his marriage to her sister[19](https://www.moviebuff.com/pelli-sandhadi). The 2021 film shares the title, the composer, and the directorial supervision, but tells a different story; NTV Telugu noted the only common points are love and marriage[15](https://ntvtelugu.com/top-story/pelli-sandad-movie-review-68415.html). Some sources describe it as a spiritual sequel rather than a direct continuation[20](https://www.ottplay.com/news/pelli-sandad-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-roshann-sree-leelas-telugu-film/7d10ff313c765).
The film also served as a launchpad: Sreeleela went on to become one of the busiest heroines in [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema) after *Pelli SandaD*[21](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2023/epaper/june/hyderabad-english-edition-2023-06-15.pdf), and OTTplay credited Raghavendra Rao, at age 78, with providing a strong foundation to both leads' careers[17](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/the-unlikely-success-story-of-pelli-sandad-the-dussehra-release-thats-setting-the-box-office-on-fire/bc58170494692).
## References
1. [Pelli SandaD, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pelli_sandad)
2. [Pelli SandaD, Flicks (Australia)](https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/pelli-sanda-d/)
3. [Pelli SandaD movie review, OTTplay](https://www.ottplay.com/review/pelli-sandad-movie-review-stay-away-from-this-stale-outdated-mess-of-a-family-entertainer/9c17340004731/1000)
4. [Pelli SandaD Movie (2021): Release Date, Cast, Songs, Gadgets 360](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/pelli-sandad-movie-112094)
5. [Pelli SandaD Teaser: KRR's brand of love story, TeluguCinema](https://telugucinema.com/videos/pelli-sandad-teaser-krrs-brand-of-love-story)
6. [Malavika Nair signs Pelli SandaD, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/oct/27/malavika-nair-signs-pelli-sandad-20998.html)
7. [PellisandaD (2021), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15427878)
8. [Pelli SandaD (2021) box office, Sacnilk](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Pelli_SandaD_2021)
9. [Pelli SandaD Telugu Movie Review, NetTV4U](https://nettv4u.com/movie-review/telugu/pelli-sandad)
10. [Pelli SandaD streaming page, YouSay TV](https://telugu.yousay.tv/en/tfidb/movie/Pelli_SandaD_cxtUZGSWC5)
11. [Movie Review: Pelli SandaD, Gulte](https://www.gulte.com/moviereviews/126941/movie-review-pelli-sandad)
12. [Pelli SandaD is a family entertainer based on marriage, Silverscreen India](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/director-k-raghavendra-rao-starrer-pelli-sandad-is-a-family-entertainer-based-on-marriage-says-films-director-gowri-ronanki/)
13. [Pelli SandaD official trailer, Aditya Music (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIzDDbIFoI0)
14. ['Bujjulu Bujjulu' song from Pellisanda D is underwhelming, TeluguBulletin](https://www.telugubulletin.com/bujjulu-bujjulu-song-from-pellisanda-d-is-underwhelming-130843)
15. [రివ్యూ: పెళ్లి సందD, NTV Telugu](https://ntvtelugu.com/top-story/pelli-sandad-movie-review-68415.html)
16. [Pelli SandaD, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/pelli-sandad/ET00311382)
17. [The unlikely success story of Pelli SandaD, OTTplay](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/the-unlikely-success-story-of-pelli-sandad-the-dussehra-release-thats-setting-the-box-office-on-fire/bc58170494692)
18. [Pelli SandaD box office, TrackTollywood](https://tracktollywood.com/pelli-sandad/)
19. [Pelli Sandadi (1996), Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/pelli-sandhadi)
20. [Pelli SandaD release date, OTTplay](https://www.ottplay.com/news/pelli-sandad-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-roshann-sree-leelas-telugu-film/7d10ff313c765)
21. [The Pioneer, Hyderabad edition, 15 June 2023](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2023/epaper/june/hyderabad-english-edition-2023-06-15.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Telugu films of the 2020s › Telugu films of 2020–2022*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license