Rashmika Mandanna has consistently trusted the vision of her directors. In recent years, both Rahul Ravindran and Rahul Sankrityan have won her over through their exceptional writing and sheer conviction. That trust has resulted in strong, compelling roles for her, first in The Girlfriend last year and now in the upcoming Ranabaali.

Character and director first, hero next

In promotional interviews ahead of the theatrical release of Ranabaali, Rashmika explained why she chose the period drama. When asked if she said yes mainly because of co-star Vijay Deverakonda or after seeing the Jayamma role, she clarified that it was not primarily about Vijay. She explained that the opportunity to work with Rahul came unexpectedly after she had wanted to collaborate with him for a long time, particularly after the success of Shyam Singha Roy, and she did not want to miss it. She also loved the well-written Jayamma character, which has strong emotional depth and the potential to connect with audiences, as well as the film’s overall story.

She added that learning Vijay was the lead made her give an immediate green signal. It also felt special because it had been many years since they last shared the screen, having previously worked together in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. Working with him again on a story like Ranabaali felt right.

For Rashmika, versatility matters

In an interview with YouTuber Sudhir Srinivasan, Rashmika spoke about being particular about not being typecast or stereotyped. “I don’t want to carry baggage from one film to another. Neither the success nor failure of a film should drive my performance or level of commitment to another film. I have done various types of films, from a film like The Girlfriend to Mysaa. I would do them all. At the end of the day, I am an actor,” the Animal and Pushpa actress added.

As Jayamma in Ranabaali, Rashmika is expected to deliver a charged-up performance in crucial episodes. The film will hit the cinemas on October 16 for Dasara.

Also Read: Ranabaali Trailer Likely On October 8, Divine Element Nearly Confirmed

Abhishek Varman is famously known for working on projects like 2 States (2014) and Kalank (2019). Straying away from his usual territory of storytelling, he will move on to a more science-fiction themed tale revolving around the narrative of an Indian mythological superhero. The film will be titled Gadadhari Bheem, produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

It has been reported by Industry sources that the inspiration for the new film will be directly linked to the deep roots of Indian mythology, while also anchoring on a modern approach. The project will unite Karan Johar and Abhishek Varman for the story based on the Mahabharata character, Bheem.

The writing for Gadadhari Bheem has been completed by Abhishek Varman, with the script expectedly being ready for the next stage of production. The vision for the film is seemingly ambitious with the makers now gearing up to start onboarding the necessary cast members. While no names have been specified, they are supposedly planning to bring in a leading A-list star on board.

This is not the first time Dharma Productions has ventured on such a route. It has been reported that Karan Johar has been wanting to narrate the epic tale of Radha and Krishna and that he has finally found the right script to bring their beautiful love story to life. The movie is currently being written and will soon be directed by Sachin Ravi.

Not only that, but the production house is also responsible for backing the upcoming Naagzilla movie starring some big names such as Kartik Aaryan, Preity Mukhundhan, and Ravi Kishan, among others. The movie will be directed by the director of the Fukrey series, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba. There is no official date for the movie yet.

Once the pre-production moves towards development, a more official announcement about the project and the cast may come to light. Keep visiting our website to know more about the film.

Also Read: Exclusive: Akshay Kumar, Rana’s Film Mahakaal Is a Supernatural Thriller That Travels Places

Production on The Batman Part II has reportedly been put on hold after director Matt Reeves stepped away from the project to focus on a family matter. The sequel, which is being backed by Warner Bros and DC Studios, was already in production in London when the unexpected pause was announced.

According to Deadline, Reeves is temporarily stepping away for personal reasons. The studio has expressed its support for the filmmaker and confirmed that work on the highly anticipated sequel will resume.

In a statement, the studio said, “Production on The Batman Part II has been temporarily paused while Matt Reeves focuses on a family matter. Matt has the full support of DC Studios, and we look forward to continuing the journey soon.”

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The development comes as The Batman Part II remains scheduled for a February 18, 2028 theatrical release. With filming now temporarily halted, it remains unclear whether the production break will have any impact on the film’s existing release date.

Robert Pattinson is set to return as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the sequel. Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell will also reprise their respective roles as Alfred Pennyworth and Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin.

The sequel has also expanded its ensemble cast with several new additions, including Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Jayme Lawson, Charles Dance, Gil Perez-Abraham and Sebastian Koch.

Reeves, who directed and co-wrote the first instalment, has previously hinted that the sequel will take the franchise in a different direction. Pattinson had described the upcoming film as a “real left turn” from the 2022 release, while suggesting that it would still retain some of the atmosphere and elements that defined the first movie.

For now, fans will have to wait for further updates on when production will resume and whether the temporary pause affects the film’s much-anticipated release.

Also Read: The Batman Part II Pushed to 2028, Makers Drop Robert Pattinson’s First Look