Cult Classic Shiva Returns to Theatres with 4K & Dolby Atmo
The iconic Telugu film Shiva is set to return to theatres more than 30 years after its original release. Known for breaking new ground in Indian cinema, the Shiva is coming back in a new, updated version—now with Dolby Atmos sound and 4K visuals.
This re-release, led by Annapurna Studios, marks the studio’s 50th anniversary. As part of the celebration, the teaser for the remastered Shiva will debut alongside Coolie, which hits screens on August 14.
Shiva, originally directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starring Nagarjuna, became a cult classic when it was first released. The movie was widely praised for its intense storytelling and realistic action, which was unlike anything Indian audiences had seen at the time. It went on to be included in CNN-IBN’s list of the 100 greatest Indian films.
Now, decades later, the team has given Shiva a complete audio makeover using cutting-edge artificial intelligence. The film’s original mono soundtrack has been re-engineered into a full Dolby Atmos experience, promising to deliver a brand-new level of immersion for both old fans and new viewers.
Actor Nagarjuna, reflecting on the film’s impact, said, “Shiva made my character iconic and changed the way people saw me. Even today, people talk about the film. That’s what inspired my brother Venkat and me to bring it back to the big screen, this time in a way that’s bigger and better than ever before. We wanted to give today’s audience—many of whom have only seen it online—the chance to truly feel the film the way it was meant to be experienced.”
Director Ram Gopal Varma also expressed his excitement: “It’s amazing how Shiva still lives on in people’s memories. The original sound was appreciated back then, but now we’ve taken it to a whole new level. Using the latest AI technology, we’ve reworked the audio completely. This isn’t just a re-release—it’s a whole new experience.”
After its Telugu re-release, the film will also be released in Hindi and Tamil, giving fans across the country a chance to revisit one of Indian cinema’s most groundbreaking films—this time, louder and clearer than ever before.
