Tollywood: Camera, rolling, and action — all without a female lead!

The previous outings, success rates, and glamour of female actors do influence the market. But the dynamics seem to have changed!

ByPrakash Pecheti

Published Sep 25, 2023 | 1:00 PM ⚊UpdatedSep 25, 2023 | 1:00 PM

Missing female leads in major Telugu films

Missing female leads in major Telugu films. (Supplied)

Given the box office calculations, the film business in Tollywood seems to have witnessed a sea change in the past few years.

Traditionally, movies go on floors after announcing the full crew and cast — the lead pair, technicians, and music directors.

It’s no secret that the female leads play a crucial role in influencing film lovers in Tollywood. Their previous outings, success rates, and glamour have an equal influence on the film market in Telugu. But now, the dynamics seem to have changed!

Including a few top Bollywood film studios, several Tollywood banners are rolling the camera without officially announcing the female leads.

The makers of the upcoming flicks of actors Megastar Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Gopichand, Ram Pothineni, and Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja are still in search of female leads, while the projects are already on the floors.

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Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna

Megastar Chiranjeevi is working on a socio-fantasy film. Director Mallidi Vasishta is helming the project which is backed by UV creations.

The movie is tentatively titled Mulloka Veerudu.

Vasishta previously scored success with the socio-fantasy drama titled Bimbisara (2022). The makers are reportedly considering the names of Anushka Shetty and Nayanthara for the female lead. It is also learnt that the name of a senior actress from Bollywood is likely in talks.

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Nagarjuna’s upcoming movie Naa Sami Ranga is being helmed by Vijay Bunny, a popular choreographer-turned-director. It is Nagarjuna’s 99th film.

Initially, Kajal Aggarwal’s name did the rounds for the female lead’s role. But then, the makers took the look test of Manasa Varanasi. However, they chose Ashika Ranganath as the love interest of Nagarjuna.

The film is set to release in January 2024. Srinivasaa Chitturi is producing it under the banner of Srinivasaa Silver Screen.

MM Keeravani is scoring the music.

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Ravi Teja and Gopichand

Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja and Gopichand Malineni are collaborating to dish out an obvious massy flick that is tentatively titled RT4GM.

It will be their fourth collaboration after the successful projects — Don Seenu (2010), Balupu (2013), and Krack (2021).

No official announcement has been made so far about the film’s female lead.

It is produced by Mythri Movie Makers.

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Actor Gopichand’s upcoming movie with director Srinu Vaitla was launched recently. It is the first production from Venu Donepudi’s Chitralayam Studios.

Srinu Vaitla, who is known for action and comedy genres, is making a comeback with the venture.

The makers are yet to announce the female lead. It is learnt that they are planning to rope in actress Genelia D’Souza who has been off the Telugu silver screen for a long time.

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Hurdles for young actors too

Meanwhile, films starring young and upcoming actors too are being shot without female leads.

Naga Chaitanya and Chandoo Mondeti are working on a film called NC23. The movie is based on the lives of fishermen in Srikakulam.

Mondeti is directing and writing the film. Geetha Arts is producing it.

Chandoo Mondeti and Naga Chaitanya previously worked together on the romantic drama Premam (2015).

Before announcing the name of Sai Pallavi, the makers tried hard for Keerthy Suresh but in vain (could be the clash of dates). Sai Pallavi previously co-starred with Naga Chaitanya in the 2021 Telugu film Love Story.

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Actor Ram Pothineni teamed up with Puri Jagannadh for Double iSmart after their successful venture iSmart Shankar (2019). The film Double iSmart is a sequel to iSmart Shankar.

It was launched in Hyderabad and is currently shooting various crucial portions. But no official update on the female lead.

Puri, who launched several Tollywood heroines, including Kangana Ranaut in Ek Niranjan (2009), is believed to be searching for a Bollywood actress.

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