Sankranthi Films Story: Hero, Girlfriend (Wife), Ex-GF (Ex-Wife)

This Sankranthi season, Telugu cinema appears to be following an interesting and recurring storytelling pattern, as observed in the teasers, trailers, and promotional content of the films.

The likes of Megastar Chiru’s Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, Prabhas’ Raaj Saab, Raviteja’s Bharta Mahaseyulaku Wignyapthi, Sharwanand’s Nari Nari Naduma Murari, and Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju are hitting the Pongal marquee. Here’s a resemblance between some of those movies.

In Megastar Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu (#MegaMSG), the narrative reportedly showcases Nayanthara as the ex-wife, while Catherine Tresa plays a character close to being the hero’s current love interest. The dynamic between past and present relationships is expected to be a key emotional driver, coupled with comedy and sentiment.

Ravi Teja’s Bharata Mahaseyalaku (BMW) also walks a similar path. In this film, Dimple Hayathi is the hero’s wife as per the trailer, while Ashika Ranganath appears as the girlfriend, creating a situation filled with confusion, conflict, and entertainment.

Meanwhile, Sharwanand’s Nari Nari Naduma Murari completes the trio with Sakshi Vaidya as the current girlfriend and Samyuktha as the ex-girlfriend. Other day’s teaser proved the same. True to its title, the film reportedly explores how the hero navigates between two women in his love.

With three Sankranthi films using variations of the hero–GF–ex-GF (or wife–ex-wife) formula, it’s clear that relationship-driven conflicts have overcrowded the festival. We have to see who will win.