ZEE5 expands Telugu slate with films, originals and live sports

MUMBAI: Telugu entertainment is getting a sequel, a spin-off and plenty of new plot twists. ZEE5 is expanding its Telugu content slate with a mix of original series, feature films, returning franchises, dubbed movies, AI-led storytelling and live sports, as the streaming platform looks to deepen its connection with one of South India’s most engaged entertainment markets.

The new slate brings together established production houses and creators, with collaborations spanning Vyjayanthi Movies, Sukumar Writings, Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra (SVCC), Prime Show Entertainment, Shine Screens, Vriddhi Cinemas, Manam Enterprises LLP, Birla Studios, Temple Town Pictures, Udaya Bhanu Productions and Sri Chakra Movies LLP.

On the originals front, the lineup includes Shrimathi, starring Nivetha Thomas, and Panchanama, featuring Bharath Niwas and Sivaji Raja. The platform is also bringing back Jayammu Nishchayammu Ra 2, hosted by Jagapathi Babu.

The film slate adds another layer, with Lenin, directed by Murali Kishore Abburu and starring Akhil Akkineni and Bhagyashri Borse; NBK111, directed by Gopichand Malineni and featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna and Kajal Aggarwal; and January 12 Vidudhala, directed by Anil Ravipudi and starring Venkatesh Daggubati and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram.

Also joining the lineup are Vrushakarma, directed by Karthik Varma Dandu and starring Chaitanya Akkineni and Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Kanaka Durga, directed by Pradeep Maddali and featuring Allari Naresh and Kajal Choudhary.

For viewers looking beyond Telugu originals, ZEE5 is adding dubbed titles including Jananayagan, Hi, Demonte Colony 2, A Queen and Veerappan 2, broadening the slate beyond the regional-language catalogue.

Lloyd C. Xavier, Business Head, Tamil, Telugu & Malayalam, ZEE5, said the slate has been shaped by the platform’s understanding of what Telugu audiences respond to, combining familiar franchises with newer stories and different creative voices.

The platform is also pushing beyond conventional scripted entertainment. Its AI-powered storytelling lineup includes Garuda, Vikram Vetal, Shiv Sati, Chandrakanta, Tirupati Balaji, Narmada and Ram Anjanay Yudh, while the kids’ offering features Barbarik and Kundaka Mandakka.

Sports adds another audience hook, with the live portfolio featuring FIFA, Bundesliga, Coppa Italia and ILT20.

Taken together, the expansion gives ZEE5 a wider Telugu offering across films, originals, AI-led formats, children’s content and sport, with the platform betting on a mix of established names, returning favourites and newer storytelling formats to keep Telugu audiences watching.