It appears that the highly anticipated collaboration between Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh and esteemed director Prashanth Varma has hit an unexpected roadblock. The duo was slated to team up for “Rakshas,” a pre-Independence action drama set against a rich mythological backdrop. Ranveer Singh was all set to portray a character with grey shades in Varma’s ambitious next project. However, reports now suggest that the two have parted ways owing to irreconcilable creative differences.
The development comes as a surprise to many, as just last month, Singh had flown to Hyderabad for a photo shoot to formally announce the project, which was being backed by the notable Mythri Movie Makers. A source close to the project revealed that despite their best efforts, both Ranveer and Prashanth were unable to find common ground. “Ranveer and Prashanth decided it was best to move on and hope for a more suitable project to collaborate on in the future,” the source disclosed.
As the dust settles on the fallout, Prashanth Varma is gearing up to recast the lead role for “Rakshas” from scratch. The director has a packed schedule ahead as he is also set to helm “Jai Hanuman,” the much-anticipated sequel to his earlier hit “Hanu-Man,” post the completion of Rakshas.
In a separate part of the film industry, Rashmika Mandanna is currently on a jet-set schedule, shuttling between Mumbai and Hyderabad for her numerous cinematic commitments. The actress is juggling three high-profile projects: “Pushpa 2: The Rule” with Allu Arjun, “Kubera” alongside Dhanush, and “The Girlfriend” featuring Dheekshith Shetty. While “Kubera” is being filmed in Mumbai, the other two projects are being shot in Hyderabad. An insider revealed, “It is definitely challenging, but Rashmika is loving every moment of it. The travel and long hours are just part of her journey, and she is fully committed to delivering her best in all the films.
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Rashmika’s upcoming releases continue to create a buzz, with audiences eagerly awaiting her performances in the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj biopic “Chhaava” opposite Vicky Kaushal, and the Tamil-Telugu bilingual “Rainbow.”
Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt has exited from the cast of Ahmed Khan’s directorial venture “Welcome to the Jungle.” This comic entertainer, produced by Firoz A Nadiadwallah, had initially announced Dutt’s participation last December when lead actor Akshay Kumar shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse from their shoot at Madh Island.
Sources indicate that Dutt was displeased with the evolving script and the chaotic shooting schedule, prompting his decision to withdraw from the film. Dutt reportedly conveyed his concerns to Kumar, who was understanding of the situation. The current dilemma for the filmmakers is how to address Dutt’s departure—whether to recast his role and re-shoot the sections or find a creative workaround to justify his absence in the narrative. The solution to this conundrum is expected to unfold in the coming weeks.
In what feels like a repeat broadcast, the disappointing news of Ranveer Singh and Prashanth Varma’s collaboration falling through is echoed again. They were supposed to collaborate on “Rakshas,” adding a touch of mythological essence to a pre-Independence action drama. However, creative clashes led them to amicably part ways, despite their prior efforts to bridge their differences. Singh’s visit to Hyderabad for a promotional shoot only a month ago was proof of the project’s initial excitement. Now, Varma is back to the drawing board, setting the stage for fresh casting and continuing the development cycle for his films “Rakshas” and “Jai Hanuman.”
These recent developments reflect the unpredictable nature of the film industry where creative visions must align to bring cinematic dreams to life, and even high-profile collaborations aren’t immune to setbacks. The anticipation for future projects remains high, proving that in the world of cinema, while a door may close, countless others are always waiting to open.
