Irumudi Is Still the Film Everyone’s Talking About

Ravi Teja’s Irumudi has done what few expected. Released on August 21, the Shiva Nirvana directorial has turned into the biggest hit of the Mass Maharaja’s career, crossing ₹230 crore worldwide and becoming one of the most-watched Telugu films of 2026.

At its heart is a simple but powerful story. Ravi Teja plays Trinadh, an alcoholic father with a violent past who lives a quiet life with his young daughter near a waterfall. When she asks him to change, he takes up Ayyappa Deeksha — the 41-day sacred vow — and the film uses that spiritual journey to explore redemption, fatherhood, and a darker threat looming in their village.

What clicked was the emotional core. The bond between Ravi Teja and child actor Baby Nakshathra feels genuine, and the actor delivers one of his most restrained performances in years. The film mixes family drama with social thriller elements and never fully abandons its mass roots, which helped it connect across audiences.

Music by G.V. Prakash Kumar, especially the devotional tracks tied to the Ayyappa theme, added to the atmosphere. The title itself refers to the sacred cloth bag devotees carry during the Sabarimala pilgrimage — a detail that gave the film a strong cultural resonance.

After a strong theatrical run, Irumudi landed on Netflix on September 18 in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. The digital release has kept the conversation going, with many first-time viewers discovering why theatres stayed packed for weeks.

For Ravi Teja, it’s a long-awaited high after several underwhelming outings. For audiences, it’s a reminder that a well-told father-daughter story, anchored by sincerity and a clear emotional spine, can still dominate the box office.