Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, who made his Bollywood debut with the Hindi remake of S.S. Rajamouli’s 2005 blockbuster Chatrapathi, has openly expressed regret over taking on the project.
In a recent interview, the actor admitted that remaking the iconic Prabhas-starrer was a mistake, citing his inability to fully commit to the role and the challenges of adapting a beloved classic for a different audience.
The Hindi version of Chatrapathi, released on May 12, 2023, was directed by V.V. Vinayak and produced by Jayantilal Gada’s Pen Studios. Despite high expectations, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews and was a box-office disaster, failing to strike a chord with audiences or critics.
The original Telugu film was a career-defining hit for both S.S. Rajamouli and Prabhas, praised for its gripping story of a refugee named Shivaji fighting oppression in Visakhapatnam—a powerful blend of action, emotion, and drama.
Speaking candidly, Bellamkonda said: “I was in a dilemma during the shooting stage, which is why I didn’t give my 100%. I shouldn’t have remade such an iconic film. At first, I thought since Zanjeer [Ram Charan’s remake] didn’t work because it was a Hindi film being remade, a Rajamouli hit from the South would connect with Bollywood audiences. I was wrong.”
He also admitted that the pressure of stepping into a role made iconic by Prabhas weighed heavily on him, making the experience even more challenging.
The Hindi remake was criticized for its outdated treatment, lack of emotional depth, and failure to adapt the 18-year-old story for today’s sensibilities.
Despite the setback, Bellamkonda remains hopeful about his future. He is now focused on upcoming Telugu projects, most notably “Bhairavam,” and is determined to bounce back stronger.
Directed by Vijay Kanakamedala, “Bhairavam” is set for release on May 30, 2025.