Tillu Square

2026-05-08T02:08:01Z

82.132.232.92: brief corrected page per standard format additionally and updated info

{{Short description | 2024 Indian film by Mallik Ram}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Tillu Square
| image = Tillu Square Teaser.jpeg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Mallik Ram
| writer = [[Siddhu Jonnalagadda]] Ravi Anthony Pudota Mallik Ram Kalyan Shankar
| producer = Naga Vamsi Sai Soujanya
| starring = Siddhu Jonnalagadda [[Anupama Parameswaran]]
| cinematography = Sai Prakash Ummadisingu
| editing = [[Naveen Nooli]]
| music = '''Songs:''' [[Ram Miriyala]] [[Achu Rajamani]] '''Score:''' [[Bheems Ceciroleo]]
| studio = [[S. Radha Krishna|Sithara Entertainments]] Fortune Four Cinemas
| distributor = Srikara Studios
| released = {{Film date|2024|3|29|df=y}}
| runtime = 123 minutes{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget =
| gross = {{estimation}}{{INR|135 crore}}{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
}}
'''''Tillu Square''''' (stylised as '''''(TILLU)²''''') is a 2024 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[crime comedy film]] directed by Mallik Ram and produced by Naga Vamsi under the banner of [[S. Radha Krishna#Filmography|Sithara Entertainments]] and Fortune Four Cinemas. A sequel to the 2022 film ''[[DJ Tillu]]'', [[Siddhu Jonnalagadda]] reprises his role from the previous film, while [[Anupama Parameswaran]] plays the female lead.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Team |date=8 June 2023 |title=Tillu Square: Dj Tillu Returns With Double Fun As Its Sequel Gets A Release Date |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/quick-reads/tillu-square-dj-tillu-returns-with-double-fun-as-its-sequel-gets-a-release-date |access-date=26 July 2023 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726133111/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/quick-reads/tillu-square-dj-tillu-returns-with-double-fun-as-its-sequel-gets-a-release-date |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was officially announced in June 2022 and principal photography began in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/filming-for-tollywood-hit-dj-tillu-sequel-to-start-in-august-news-204789|title=Filming For Tollywood Hit 'DJ Tillu' Sequel To Start In August|date=26 June 2022|access-date=26 July 2023|archive-date=3 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503054508/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/filming-for-tollywood-hit-dj-tillu-sequel-to-start-in-august-news-204789|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ram Miriyala]], [[Achu Rajamani]] and [[Bheems Ceciroleo]] are the film's music directors.

''Tillu Square'' has seen multiple postponements in its release due to post-production issues. It was scheduled for a worldwide release on 9 February 2024, but was postponed to accommodate ''[[Eagle (2024 film)|Eagle]]'' from a five-way [[Makar Sankranti|Sankranti]] clash.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=SitharaEnts |url=https://twitter.com/SitharaEnts/status/1717777402389291172 |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101095658/https://twitter.com/SitharaEnts/status/1717777402389291172 |url-status=live }}</ref>

It released on 29 March 2024 in theaters worldwide to positive reviews from critics and audiences. A sequel, titled ''Tillu Cube'', will be the third film in the franchise.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-02 |title=Siddhu Jonnalagadda teases superhero twist for 'Tillu Cube' in DJ Tillu franchise |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/exciting-superhero-twist-for-tillu-cube-in-dj-tillu-franchise-siddhu-jonnalagadda/articleshow/108963589.cms |access-date=2024-04-11 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409125402/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/exciting-superhero-twist-for-tillu-cube-in-dj-tillu-franchise-siddhu-jonnalagadda/articleshow/108963589.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Plot ==
After escaping with drug lord Shannon's money,{{refn|group=N|Following the events of ''[[DJ Tillu]]'' (2022).}} Tillu sets up Tillu Events, an event management company, which organizes DJs for weddings and parties. At one such party, Tillu meets Lilly Joseph and falls for her. They have a [[one-night stand]], but Lilly disappears in the morning, leaving a note, which disappoints Tillu.

After a month of searching for Lilly, Tillu finds her at a hospital following his father's [[colonoscopy]]. Lilly reveals that she is pregnant with Tillu's child and they decide to get married. On Tillu's birthday, Lilly invites Tillu to an apartment, which Tillu recognises is the same apartment Radhika had invited him to on his previous birthday. Lilly reveals that she is looking for her missing brother Rohit, who was killed by Radhika a year prior. Lilly gets Tillu to drive to Rohit's burial site along with her colleague, Purushotham. Tillu, while trying to escape from the scene, gets kidnapped by Shannon. However, Tillu is rescued by Lilly, who kills Shannon's men.

Lilly reveals that she is not really pregnant or Rohit's sister, but is actually an undercover [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|ISF]] agent assigned to kill the notorious international [[crime boss]] Sheikh Mehboob wanted by the [[Research and Analysis Wing|RAW]]. Lilly has been tricking Tillu, who was invited to DJ at Mehboob's party in [[Hyderabad]]. She and her team have been attempting to kill Mehboob for several years, but Mehboob always avoided them with the help of an informant within ISF. She blackmails Tillu with a video of him and Radhika burying Rohit in order to get him to kill Mehboob at his party using poisoned dessert. Later, Lilly tells Tillu that she did genuinely have feelings for him even though she tricked him for her mission.

On the day of Mehboob's party, Tillu attempts to leave Hyderabad with his family to escape Lilly, but she stops him and shows them a captive Radhika, who is now engaged to marry someone else. Lilly threatens to imprison Radhika and Tillu for 14 years if Tillu does not cooperate with her. Radhika convinces Tillu to cooperate with Lilly for the sake of her marriage. At the party, Tillu gives the sweets to Mehboob, but Mehboob already knows that they are poisoned after being told by his informant. Mehboob detains Tillu, which forces Lilly's team to abandon the mission. Mehboob thrashes Tillu and seemingly kills him.

A week later, Lilly is surprised to see Tillu alive and well. Tillu reveals that he escaped from Mehboob by negotiating with Shannon to poison the milk that Mehboob drank and then forcing Mehboob to release Tillu and gives him 14 crores in exchange for the antidote. Tillu tips off the ISF chief about Mehboob and ISF agents arrest Mehboob once he receives his antidote. Lilly is surprised as the mission was to kill Mehboob, but Tillu reveals that killing Mehboob was only Lilly's plan and that Lilly is actually Mehboob's mole within ISF. She had been trying to kill Mehboob so that he would not be taken alive and reveal her identity. Lilly gets arrested and she asks Tillu why he bailed out Radhika, but allowed her to get arrested, to which Tillu responds that Radhika had deceived him after falling in love with him, while Lilly had only fallen in love with him to deceive him. It is hinted that the story would continue in ''Tillu Cube''.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Siddhu Jonnalagadda]] as Bala Gangadhar Tilak alias "DJ Tillu"
* [[Anupama Parameswaran]] as Lilly Joseph, Tillu's love interest, ISF Spy
* [[Neha Shetty]] as M. Radhika, Tillu’s ex-love interest ([[cameo appearance]])
* [[Murali Sharma]] as Sheikh Mehboob
* [[C. V. L. Narasimha Rao]] as Lilly's father
* [[Priyanka Jawalkar]] as girl in pub (cameo appearance)
* [[Brahmaji]] as Inspector Rao (cameo appearance)
* [[Anish Kuruvilla]] as ISF chief
* [[Prince Cecil]] as Shannon Gonzales
* [[Muralidhar Goud]] as Tillu's father
* Lakshmi Sujatha as Tillu's mother
* [[Fish Venkat]]
* Narra Srinivas as Chandrakant (cameo appearance)
* Udbhav Raghu as Purushotham
* Praneeth Reddy Kallem as Marcus, Tillu's friend
* Sri Ram
* Manik Reddy
* Geddam Srinivas
* Kalyan
* Nellore Neeraja
* Abhinav Singh Raghav
* Raj Tirandasu as Jonathan
* [[Kireeti Damaraju]] as Photographer Rohit (cameo appearance)
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
In February 2022, before ''[[DJ Tillu]]'''s release, Jonnalagadda stated plans of a sequel for the film and said "There are no limits to Tillu's character and I think, this can be explored and stretched to any length".<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2022 |title=Siddhu Jonnalagadda on DJ Tillu: We are planning a sequel |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/interviews/2022/feb/09/siddhu-jonnalagadda-on-dj-tilluwe-are-planning-a-sequel-29642.html |access-date= |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language= |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501163153/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/interviews/2022/feb/09/siddhu-jonnalagadda-on-dj-tilluwe-are-planning-a-sequel-29642.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The sequel was officially announced in June 2022. Mallik Ram, who previously directed ''[[Naruda Donoruda]]'' and ''[[Adbhutham]]'', was announced as the director, replacing Vimal Krishna from the first film. Naga Vamsi returned as the producer.<ref name=":2"/>

=== Filming ===
Principal photography began in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2022 |title=Filming For Tollywood Hit 'DJ Tillu' Sequel To Start In August |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/filming-for-tollywood-hit-dj-tillu-sequel-to-start-in-august-news-204789 |access-date= |website=[[Outlook India]] |language= |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503054508/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/filming-for-tollywood-hit-dj-tillu-sequel-to-start-in-august-news-204789 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack of the film was composed by [[Ram Miriyala]] and [[Achu Rajamani]] and the score was composed by [[Bheems Ceciroleo]]. [[Aditya Music]] serves as the music banner. The first single, "Ticket Eh Konakunda", released on 26 July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2023 |title=Makers Of Tillu Square Drop Lyrical Video Of Ticket Eh Konakunda Song |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/makers-of-tillu-square-drop-lyrical-video-of-ticket-eh-konakunda-song-8440573.html |access-date=27 July 2023 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727125422/https://www.news18.com/movies/makers-of-tillu-square-drop-lyrical-video-of-ticket-eh-konakunda-song-8440573.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next single, "Radhika", was released on 27 November 2023.

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ticket Eh Konakunda
| music1 = [[Ram Miriyala]]
| lyrics1 = [[Kasarla Shyam]]
| extra1 = Ram Miriyala
| length1 = 4:05
| title2 = Radhika
| music2 = Ram Miriyala
| lyrics2 = [[Kasarla Shyam]]
| extra2 = Ram Miriyala
| length2 = 3:08
| title3 = Oh My Lily
| music3 = [[Achu Rajamani]]
| lyrics3 = [[Siddhu Jonnalagadda]]
| extra3 = [[Sreerama Chandra]]
| title4 = DJ Tillu Revamp
| length4 = 3:44
| lyrics4 = [[Kasarla Shyam]]
| music4 = Ram Miriyala
| extra4 = Ram Miriyala
| length3 = 3:21
}}

== Release ==
===Theatrical===
''Tillu Square'' was initially planned for a theatrical release in March 2023, but was postponed due to production work to 15 September 2023. The movie was then postponed due to delays in the post production to 9 February 2024 before finally being postponed to 29 March 2024, to accommodate ''[[Eagle (2024 film)|Eagle]]'' from a five-way Sankranti clash.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

===Home media===
The digital distribution rights of the film were acquired by [[Netflix]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Netflix Signs NTR And Balayya |url=https://www.m9.news/movienews/netflix-signs-ntr-and-balayya/ |date=15 January 2024 |website=M9 |language=en |access-date=15 January 2024 |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122225304/https://www.m9.news/movienews/netflix-signs-ntr-and-balayya/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception ==
''Tillu Square'' received generally positive reviews from critics with praise for Jonnalagadda’s performance, humour, and soundtrack, but criticism for its story and predictability.

Paul Nicodemus of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave {{Fraction|3|1|2}} / 5 stars and wrote "''Tillu Square'' is a captivating entertainer that guarantees smiles and leaves the audience feeling elated and satisfied. It’s a must-watch for anyone seeking two hours of fun-filled entertainment".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/tillu-square/movie-review/108871361.cms|title=Tillu Square Movie Review: Siddhu's Spectacular Sequel Soars As A Cult Phenomenon|website=The Times of India|access-date=21 April 2024|archive-date=14 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414003357/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/tillu-square/movie-review/108871361.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Avad Mohammed of ''[[OTTplay]]'' gave {{Fraction|3|1|2}} / 5 stars and wrote "Tillu Square lives up to the hype and has the right dose of comedy, twists, and romance. The one-liners, Siddhu Jonnalagadda's stand-out act, and Anuapam Parameswaran's shocking new avatar are the icing on the cake."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/tillu-square-review-siddhu-jonnalaggada-sets-the-screens-ablaze-with-his-hilarious-act/80f30696ab627|title=Tillu Square Review - Siddhu Jonnalaggada sets the screens ablaze with his hilarious act|website=OTTplay|access-date=2 April 2024|archive-date=2 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402040632/https://www.ottplay.com/review/tillu-square-review-siddhu-jonnalaggada-sets-the-screens-ablaze-with-his-hilarious-act/80f30696ab627|url-status=live}}</ref>

Priyanka Sundar of ''[[Firstpost]]'' gave three out of five stars and wrote "The one thing that was unfortunate in Tillu Square is the makers attempt to include bits and pieces that was a call back to the original".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-30 |title=Tillu Square movie review: Siddhu Jonnalagadda's sequel takes it a notch higher, gives us a successful comedy franchise |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/tillu-square-movie-review-siddhu-jonnalagaddas-sequel-takes-it-a-notch-higher-gives-us-a-successful-comedy-franchise-13754234.html |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us |archive-date=30 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330052510/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/tillu-square-movie-review-siddhu-jonnalagaddas-sequel-takes-it-a-notch-higher-gives-us-a-successful-comedy-franchise-13754234.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Raghu Bandi of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave three out of five stars and wrote "Tillu Square is filled with punchy one-liners. Most of them refer generously to ''[[DJ Tillu]]''. If you have seen the first part, your enjoyment of this film might be multifold. Even otherwise, the comedy here is excellent".<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2024 |title=Tillu Square movie review: Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Anupama Parameshwaran shine in this laugh riot |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/tillu-square-movie-review-siddhu-jonnalagadda-anupama-parameshwaran-shine-in-this-laugh-riot-9240070/ |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329095958/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/tillu-square-movie-review-siddhu-jonnalagadda-anupama-parameshwaran-shine-in-this-laugh-riot-9240070/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Janani K of ''[[India Today]]'' gave three out of five stars and wrote "All in all, Siddhu Jonnalagadda's Tillu Square is an entertaining film that works for the most part. The film's comedy and Siddhu's performance are its major strengths helping it match to the hype of its prequel ''DJ Tillu''".<ref>{{Cite web |title='Tillu Square' Review: Siddhu Jonnalagadda strikes again with hilarious thriller |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/tillu-square-review-siddhu-jonnalagadda-strikes-again-with-hilarious-thriller-2520718-2024-03-29 |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=India Today |date=29 March 2024 |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329083637/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/tillu-square-review-siddhu-jonnalagadda-strikes-again-with-hilarious-thriller-2520718-2024-03-29 |url-status=live }}</ref> BVS Prakash of ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' gave two out of five and wrote "Siddhu Jonnalagadda is back in his elements and evokes enough fun with his comic-punchlines and unique mannerisms, but it is not enough to pull off a 2 and half hour film that rides on an impossible mission".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prakash |first=B. V. S. |date=29 March 2024 |title=Tillu Square gets bolder, funnier; yet misses the plot |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-review/tillu-square-gets-bolder-funnier-yet-misses-the-plot-887727 |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329100029/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-review/tillu-square-gets-bolder-funnier-yet-misses-the-plot-887727 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ram Venkat Srikar of ''[[Film Companion]]'' wrote "Siddhu Jonnalagadda's sequel rights the wrongs of the original to deliver a frequently funny outing".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srikar |first=Ram Venkat |date=29 March 2024 |title=Tillu Square Movie Review: A Rare Sequel That Improves On The Original |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/tillu-square-movie-review-a-rare-sequel-that-improves-on-the-original-siddhu-jonnalagadda-anupama-parameswaran |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=[[Film Companion]] |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329101032/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/tillu-square-movie-review-a-rare-sequel-that-improves-on-the-original-siddhu-jonnalagadda-anupama-parameswaran |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "A terrific Siddhu Jonnalagadda and smart writing make ''Tillu Square'' a fun ride as the sequel builds on the familiarity of the first film".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=29 March 2024 |title='Tillu Square' movie review: A terrific Siddhu Jonnalagadda and smart writing ensure a fun sequel |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/tillu-square-movie-review-a-terrific-siddhu-jonnalagadda-and-smart-writing-ensure-a-fun-sequel/article68005520.ece |access-date=29 March 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329100712/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/tillu-square-movie-review-a-terrific-siddhu-jonnalagadda-and-smart-writing-ensure-a-fun-sequel/article68005520.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Sequel ==
A sequel's title, ''Tillu Cube'', was revealed before the end credits of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-03-31 |title=Makers of Tillu franchise announce part three |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Mar/31/makers-of-tillu-franchise-announce-part-three |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Cinema Express |language=en |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331183222/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Mar/31/makers-of-tillu-franchise-announce-part-three |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=N}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=tt22987820}}

[[Category:2020s gangster films]]
[[Category:2024 Indian films]]
[[Category:2020s masala films]]
[[Category:2024 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:2024 crime comedy films]]
[[Category:2024 films]]
[[Category:2024 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Telangana Police]]
[[Category:Films about criminals]]
[[Category:Films about DJs]]
[[Category:Films about intelligence agencies]]
[[Category:Films about organised crime in India]]
[[Category:Films about the Research & Analysis Wing]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bheems Ceciroleo]]
[[Category:Films set in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Indian crime comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian gangster films]]
[[Category:Indian neo-noir films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian sequel films]]
[[Category:Romantic crime films]]
[[Category:Films set in Telangana]]

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