Merlapaka Gandhi's Korean Kanakaraju Delivers Relief Amid Mixed Reviews
Merlapaka Gandhi narrowly avoids another flop as Korean Kanakaraju becomes a box office hit, despite criticism of his writing. Varun Tej's support pays off, but Gandhi faces calls to improve his scripts.
Dumtika Editorial
August 12, 2026 · 1 min read
(Image: Dumtika Editorial)
Korean Kanakaraju emerges as a box office hit for Merlapaka Gandhi.
Varun Tej's support was crucial during Gandhi's challenging phase.
Criticism targets Gandhi's writing, with Satya's performance praised.
Industry expects Gandhi to focus on stronger scripts in future projects.
Merlapaka Gandhi, known for his earlier successes with Venkatadri Express and Express Raja, has found a much-needed boost with his latest film, Korean Kanakaraju. After a string of disappointments including Krishnarjuna Yudham, Ek Mini Katha, Maestro, and Like, Share & Subscribe, Gandhi was under pressure to deliver. Actor Varun Tej showed faith in Gandhi during this challenging period, backing him for Korean Kanakaraju.
The film, which recently cleared its crucial Monday box office test, is now considered a super hit and has brought significant relief to Varun Tej. However, Merlapaka Gandhi's direction and writing have faced criticism. According to reports, the screenplay did not meet expectations, and it was actor Satya's performance that was widely credited for carrying the film. While the movie offered entertainment in parts, the second half was seen as falling short, with many feeling the writing could have been stronger.
Despite these criticisms, audiences remained interested, and the film's commercial success has ensured Gandhi remains in demand. Industry sources suggest that Gandhi is likely to receive several new offers following this hit, but he will need to focus more on script quality and entertainment value in his future projects. For now, Korean Kanakaraju stands as a narrow escape for the director, keeping his career momentum alive.
