4 minutes of readingHyderabadFebruary 11, 2026 08:15 pm IST
This Friday Vishwak Sen returns to the big screen with Fearfuland the stakes could not be higher. Exactly a year ago, the 30-year-old actor was riding high as one of the most exciting young talents in Telugu cinema. Today, it arrives in theaters carrying the weight of three consecutive disasters and an unusual public apology that made headlines throughout the industry.
Born Dinesh Naidu, he changed his name on the advice of his father, a numerology-based gamble that would yield results beyond anyone’s imagination. His 2017 debut, Vellipomakey, barely charted. But Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi (2018), Tharun Bhascker’s quirky Goan road trip comedy, changed everything. Vishwak Sen’s natural and unfiltered presence on screen won him the Best Debut Actor award at the Santosham Film Awards and heralded the arrival of a genuine talent.
What followed was extraordinary. At just 24 years old, Vishwak Sen wrote, directed and starred in Falaknuma Das (2019), a gritty old city. Hyderabad drama that showcased his triple threat ambitions. Then HIT: The First Case (2020) made him a real star; His intense portrayal of a troubled cop was so acclaimed that Bollywood remade it with Rajkummar Rao. Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam, Ori Devuda, Gaami, hit after hit cemented his status. He got the title “Mass Ka Das”. Then came a stretch that tested everything I had built.
Gangs of Godavari (2024) came with high expectations and left with disappointing results. Mechanic Rocky (2024) fared even worse, labeled a disaster by trade analysts. But nothing prepared Vishwak Sen, or his fans, for what happened on Valentine’s Day 2025.
Laila, an adult comedy starring Vishwak Sen in male and female roles, received scathing reviews. Critics called the humor stale, the writing lazy, and the execution aimless. The public stayed away en masse. In early March, just three weeks after its theatrical release, Laila was quietly moved to the streaming platform Aha.
To make matters worse, the release was marred by pre-release controversy. At a promotional event days before the inauguration, veteran comedian Prudhvi Raj made politically charged comments that created a storm on social media. Angry users launched a boycott campaign against the film. Vishwak Sen and producer Sahu Garapati held a press conference to distance themselves from the comments, and Vishwak Sen looked visibly shaken as he apologized for something completely out of his control.
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What followed separated Vishwak Sen from countless stars who blame audiences, critics or bad luck when films flop. On February 20, 2025, less than a week after Laila’s disastrous opening, Vishwak Sen posted a handwritten note on social networks. He shared it in both English and Telugu, making sure his message reached everyone.
“I recognize that my recent films have not lived up to expectations,” he wrote. “To my supporters and those who believe in me, I sincerely apologize.”
The note concluded with gratitude to his creative collaborators, the industry professionals who had supported him, and especially the fans who supported him through the rough patch.
Beyond Funky, Vishwak Sen has assembled a lineup designed to regain momentum in familiar territory. A sequel to Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi is in the works, with original director Tharun Bhascker developing the script. Filming could begin before the end of the year. Falaknuma Das 2 is also in the works, although it has indicated that it requires substantial prep time, at least eighteen months to two years before cameras start rolling. Additional projects include VS13, which reportedly features Sen as an IPS officer, and Jithu Patel with director Sagar Chandra.
Friday’s release will reveal whether Vishwak Sen’s apology resulted in a genuine creative recalibration, or whether it was simply a momentary acknowledgment before business as usual resumed.