Siddu Jonnalagadda’s journey in Telugu cinema has been a slow burn. From a forgettable debut in Josh to a breakout moment with DJ Tillu, it took him over a decade to truly make his mark.
The quirky, slang-filled Tillu character struck a chord with audiences, turning DJ Tillu into a 30-crore grosser on a modest 5-crore budget. Its sequel, Tillu Square, further cemented his popularity, collecting around 50 crores worldwide.
Also Read – Sailesh Kolanu: Why a Resounding Hit is a Must?
But now comes the real test.
Siddu’s next outing, Jack, directed by Bommarillu Bhaskar, is a crime comedy action thriller — a far cry from the Tillu zone. Co-starring Baby fame Vaishnavi Chaitanya, Jack is scheduled for release on April 10.
Also Read – Puri’s Vijay vs Vijay: Comeback or Just Noise?
Despite Siddu’s back-to-back hits, the buzz around Jack has been relatively low. The music hasn’t caught on, and the teaser and trailer have generated only moderate interest. That’s surprising, considering the momentum Siddu had coming off two blockbusters.
Trade-wise, the film has reportedly managed decent business, with theatrical rights sold for 25 crores. However, many are watching closely to see whether Siddu can carry a film that isn’t driven by the Tillu brand. His reported 10-crore paycheck is also being scrutinized — can he justify it beyond the Tillu franchise?
Also Read – Sharwa & Sampath Nandi Unite For Bhogi
Jack could go either way. If it works, Siddu can break out of his image trap and prove he’s a versatile lead. If it doesn’t, it may raise doubts about his ability to anchor a mainstream film outside the Tillu universe.
April 10 might just be the biggest litmus test of his career.
