In the world of Indian cinema, fervent excitement is brewing as famed director SS Rajamouli preps for his next big venture—a yet-untitled jungle adventure film featuring superstar Mahesh Babu. Sources close to the project reveal that this upcoming film will imbue its protagonist, played by Mahesh Babu, with characteristics reminiscent of Lord Hanuman. Adding to the allure of the movie are narrative elements drawn from the epic Ramayana, crafted by the director’s writer-father, KV Vijayendra Prasad.
Recently, the buzz has intensified with news that the makers have cast the antagonist for the adventure thriller, which is said to have an Indiana Jones-esque vibe. Prithviraj Sukumaran, a celebrated actor, has been roped in to play the nemesis of Mahesh Babu’s character. The actor and the renowned filmmaker were engaged in discussions for several weeks before finalizing the deal. What intrigued Prithviraj about the role was its depth and complexity; rather than being a stereotypical villain, his character comes with a rich and fascinating backstory. This film marks the first collaboration between Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran, raising the stakes and expectations even higher.
To bring his grand vision to life, Rajamouli is reportedly in talks with several Hollywood studios to ensure the film has an international crew. The filmmaker aims to commence filming early next year, setting the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary cinematic experience.
In other industry news, Prabhas is riding high on the success of Kalki 2898 AD, which has revived his box office prowess. As a result, he has turned his attention to Salaar Part 2. Director Prashanth Neel has already completed about 20 percent of the sequel, filming scenes with Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Production is set to resume on August 10, and the team has a set ready at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. However, the earlier plans to restart filming in June had to be postponed due to inclement weather and scheduling conflicts among the cast.
Prashanth Neel is meticulously planning the timelines for Salaar Part 2, aiming for a 2025 release, while also juggling another project, Dragon, starring NTR Junior. Neel has met with the producers and principal actors to ensure that the schedules for both movies will not clash. The story arc of Salaar Part 2 is expected to delve into the evolving dynamics between the characters played by Prabhas and Prithviraj.
Moving on to celebrity cameos and collaborations, it has been reported that Salman Khan will make a special appearance in Atlee’s production, Baby John. This Varun Dhawan-starrer is a remake of Atlee’s 2016 Tamil hit, Theri, which featured Thalapathy Vijay. The specifics of Salman’s role remain under wraps.
. Previously, Salman appeared in a cameo role in Judwaa 2.0 (2017), where Varun played dual roles. Filming for Salman’s part in Baby John is anticipated to take place in August, weather permitting.
Meanwhile, the makers of Stree 2 are gearing up for the horror comedy’s release on August 15, and there is already talk of more sequels. When asked about a potential third installment, director Amar Kaushik confirmed that there is indeed more story to tell. However, he emphasized that the final decision would depend on the audience’s reception of Stree 2. If the second edition proves successful, plans for a third outing will likely move forward.
In the realm of social media sensations crossing over into film, Yashraj Mukhate, who gained fame for his viral reel “Rasode Mein Kaun Tha?”, is set to make his debut as a music composer in a Marathi film titled Ek Don Teen Char. Expressing his excitement, Yashraj said, “I’ve never heard any of my tracks in a movie theatre.” He credited director Varun Narvekar for the creative brief and unique context of the song, titled Love Chumbak. Yashraj is hopeful that this project will help him gain recognition beyond social media.
In real estate news, actress Tamannaah Bhatia has leased a commercial property on Juhu Tara Road in Mumbai for five years. She recently closed the deal, paying a stamp duty of ₹2.9 lakh. The actress has also made a deposit of ₹72 lakh and will be paying a monthly rent of ₹18 lakh, which will escalate to ₹20.16 lakh in the fourth year and ₹20.96 lakh in the final year. Additionally, Tamannaah has mortgaged three properties in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, totaling 2,595 sq ft, for ₹7.84 crores, incurring a stamp duty of ₹4.7 lakh.
The convergence of these various elements and personalities in the entertainment industry signals an exciting period ahead, filled with new releases, intriguing collaborations, and dynamic performances that promise to captivate audiences.
