Surprisingly, the major buzz isn't about the star cast but Puri's choice of music director. Instead of opting for a well-established composer, he has picked Mahati Swara Sagar, son of veteran music director Mani Sharma.
While Mahati gained some attention for albums like Chalo and Bheeshma, he hasn't yet had a breakout success.
His latest work, Bholaa Shankar, received a disappointing response from both critics and audiences, especially for its soundtrack, which was widely trolled online. This has led many to question Puri's judgment, especially after his recent failures like Liger and Double iSmart, which damaged his reputation.
Some believe Puri is relying on nostalgia, hoping that working with Mahati might recreate the chart-topping success he once had with Mani Sharma. Whether that approach will resonate with today's audience is still uncertain.
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Sources say Mahati has already completed a few songs and is now working on the background score. With low expectations and industry pressure mounting, the stakes are high for the young composer.
Adding further intrigue is the casting of Tabu in what's rumored to be a daring, possibly negative role - a stark contrast to her usual characters. Vijay Sethupathi reportedly plays a layered, emotionally rich role that showcases his acting depth.
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The overall tone and choices of the film hint that Puri is stepping away from his typical loud action style to attempt something with more substance. Whether this bold gamble revives his career or adds to his list of recent misfires remains to be seen - but this film could very well be a defining moment for everyone involved.
Manaswini KManaswini is a senior writer with extensive experience covering Telugu cinema, as well as the broader Indian film landscape, including Bollywood, Tamil, and other regional industries. With a strong focus on NRI (Non-Resi…