In a major shake-up in Tollywood, acclaimed director Trivikram Srinivas has reportedly moved his much-anticipated mythological film—originally conceived for Allu Arjun—to NTR, following extended delays and uncertainty from the “Pushpa” star.
The development comes in the aftermath of Trivikram’s recent outing, Guntur Kaaram, which faced mixed reviews and an underwhelming box office run. Industry buzz suggests that the film’s reception may have influenced Allu Arjun’s hesitation to commit to another collaboration with the director.
Trivikram had penned a grand socio-mythological fantasy based on Lord Karthikeya’s journey and reunion with Lord Shiva, envisioned as a massive pan-India spectacle. Backed by Haarika & Hassine Creations and Geetha Arts with a reported budget of Rs 400–500 crore, the film was slated to go on floors in March 2025.
However, the massive success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, which grossed over ₹1,800 crore globally, appears to have shifted Allu Arjun’s priorities. The actor is now said to be focusing on a mega-budget film with director Atlee. Sources say Allu Arjun told Trivikram he would decide on the mythological project only after completing Atlee’s film—causing frustration among the director and producers, who had invested over a year in pre-production.
Disheartened by the delay, Trivikram has now approached Jr NTR to take over the ambitious project. Though NTR’s schedule is packed with War 2, Dragon, and Devara: Part 2, discussions are reportedly underway to fit this film into his calendar post-2026—likely after his collaboration with director Nelson under Sithara Entertainments. The script is currently being reworked to suit NTR’s persona.
This development has ignited a storm on social media, with many fans accusing Allu Arjun of abandoning Trivikram after a string of successful collaborations—Julayi, S/O Satyamurthy, and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.
Meanwhile, Trivikram is said to be moving ahead with other commitments, including a project with Venkatesh (2025–26) and a film with Ram Charan (2026–27), as he awaits clarity on the mythological venture.
Producer Naga Vamsi, who earlier confirmed the epic’s massive scale, reiterated that the story will not borrow from the Ramayana or Mahabharata, instead offering a fresh mythological narrative for Indian cinema.