Tollywood has always been a volatile and mercurial film industry. One weekend can turn you into a star, and the next can result in a tsunami of criticism. In the midst of this rollercoaster, Siddhu Jonnalagadda, who has given consecutive hits like DJ Tillu and Tillu Square, is now in the firing line for reasons that appear both unjust and disproportionate.
After delivering a colossal ₹120 crore worldwide blockbuster with Tillu Square, Siddhu understandably adjusted his pay. That’s the logical step in any trade, and certainly in Tollywood, where pay increases after success are the norm. But when Siddhu’s subsequent release, Jack, tanked at the box office, the backlash he faced was disproportionately bitter—particularly by the standards the industry follows when responding to flops.
From Hero to Target – What Really Went Wrong?
When DJ Tillu came out in 2022, Siddhu Jonnalagadda wasn’t acting alone—he also participated in the writing and creative efforts. The offbeat humor of the film, the unconventional characterization, and the fresh vibe impressed the youth and catapulted Siddhu to fame.
That was followed by Tillu Square, a spiritual sequel that went on to exceed expectations and gross more than ₹120 crore globally. The movie not only re-established Siddhu as a bankable star, but also demonstrated his brand of cinema to have strong audience pull.
Of course, Siddhu raised his price after the success of these films. After all, if you prove your market value, you’re not being arrogant when you ask for more—it’s business. But Jack, his follow-up, did not resonate with audiences. And that’s when the backlash started.
Jack Fails, But Siddhu Tries to Make It Right
Whereas most actors silently move on from flops, Siddhu allegedly gave back half of his pay to reimburse the producers for the loss. That rare act is a reflection of responsibility—something not many leading actors, even major stars, are accustomed to doing.
In spite of that, the trolling does not cease. Social media accounts and online critics continue to troll Siddhu for being “overconfident,” “overcharged,” and having “bad script selection.” But the question remains—why just Siddhu?
Double Standards in Tollywood?
Tollywood has its own crop of flops of late. Actually, the success ratio over the past two years has been downright dismal, with a mere handful of movies actually working at the box office. Even some of the big-budget affairs with star heroes flopped at the box office. But none of them, however, have faced the kind of public trolling or harshest of scrutiny Siddhu is facing right now.
Why is it that an actor who has tested his mettle, demonstrated integrity by making good on a botched project, and experimented endlessly with content-driven cinema is targeted?
Is it because Siddhu isn’t a filmi kid?
- Is it because he’s down-to-earth and approachable, so he makes a convenient target?
- Or is it because in this social media era, success gets applaud, but one blunder gets outrageous hate?
Whatever the motivation, the criticism is more personal than professional.
Remuneration Hike is Not a Crime
Let’s consider it rationally—every actor hikes their fee following a huge success. From new entrants to veteran stars, the trend is the same. When Pushpa: The Rise was a blockbuster, Allu Arjun’s remuneration went through the roof. When Baahubali created records, Prabhas demanded double for his subsequent movies.
Even up-and-coming stars such as Vijay Deverakonda, Nikhil, and Teja Sajja have revalued themselves in the market after successful films. Why, then, is Siddhu’s rise being dealt with as an act of greed?
The reality is that compensation is haggled on the basis of market worth, and Siddhu had every reason to ask for a better contract after his body of work. That does not make him “overrated” or “overconfident”—merely sensible.
A Culture That Needs to Change
The case of Siddhu Jonnalagadda is the symptom of a bigger problem in the industry: the absence of regular expectations regarding success and failure. Rather than providing negative feedback or positive reinforcement, a portion of the audience and media are quick to label, target, and ridicule artists.
Such conduct demotivates experimentation and honesty, which are necessary for the development of any art form. Siddhu took the risk of writing, acting, and marketing his genre of cinema. That spirit must be hailed, not criticized.
The Road Ahead for Siddhu Jonnalagadda
Though he has faced criticism, Siddhu is not out of luck. His talent, presence on screen, and capacity to craft interesting stories have already been established. What he lacks now is backing, both from industry insiders and from the audience.
Flops are certain in films. More important is how the artist reacts to them. Siddhu has set an example of maturity and responsibility. Now, it is the turn of the fans and the media to do so by giving him the doubt benefit.
With DJ Tillu 3 being rumored to be in production and other new projects in the pipeline, there is every likelihood of Siddhu coming back stronger. But the industry needs to look inward—if we appreciate success, we need to similarly deal with failure with justice and elegance.
Read Also :- Suriya’s Missed Masterpieces: Big Projects Slip Away, Others Take the Spotlight
Final Thoughts
Siddhu Jonnalagadda is being unfairly singled out for something every actor does. He charged a premium fee after a blockbuster, owned a flop, and gave back money—a concession few make. In a business where tales rule, it’s high time we stop judging good actors based on one bad page.
Rather than bringing Siddhu down, let’s appreciate his contribution and anticipate what he has in store next. After all, real stars are defined by success and failure—and Siddhu is one of them.
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