The newly released Telugu version of the hit track “Powerhouse” from Coolie has stirred unexpected backlash online, catching the film’s team off guard. While the Tamil original, praised for its raw intensity and rousing delivery, became a viral anthem across South India, the Telugu adaptation has been met with disappointment for lacking the same emotional fire.
Listeners across social media platforms have criticized the Telugu lyrics and vocal performance, calling them underwhelming compared to the Tamil version. Many fans argue that the essence of the song—a key emotional and tonal pillar of the film—is lost in translation. Some have gone so far as to request that the filmmakers retain the original Tamil track in the Telugu version of the movie.
This reaction adds to a growing discourse around pan-Indian releases. In the past, Telugu audiences have slammed Tamil filmmakers for not localizing content properly—be it through untranslated titles, poor dubbing, or retaining Tamil lyrics in songs. A recent example includes Vettaiyan, which faced criticism for its lack of Telugu-friendly presentation.
Ironically, Coolie’s team, attempting to avoid similar backlash by producing a Telugu rendition, now finds itself in the crosshairs again. This illustrates the complex dilemma of pan-India cinema: how to stay true to original content while adapting it meaningfully for different linguistic and cultural audiences.
As users compare tracks across languages instantly in the digital era, the Telugu “Powerhouse” backlash proves that localization needs more than linguistic translation—it demands emotional resonance, musical integrity, and cultural nuance. For now, the makers may need to reconsider their approach, especially as anticipation builds for Coolie’s release across multiple languages.
