Chiranjeevi to comeback in Sandalwood. Chiranjeevi is currently facing a slump in his career. The once-revered Megastar, hailed as 'Bigger Than Bachchan' in the 90s by Filmfare and India Today, is grappling with a string of unsuccessful releases, failing to replicate the success of his heyday. His latest venture, Bhola Shankar, proved to be a box office disaster, criticized by both audiences and critics for being outdated. In an attempt at redemption, Chiranjeevi is now venturing into the fantasy genre with the tentatively titled Mega 156.
Adding to the intrigue is speculation about Chiranjeevi's potential return to Kannada cinema after a hiatus of 22 years. Reports suggest that he might make an extended cameo appearance in an untitled film starring Kannada actor Darshan and directed by Prem, slated to commence production in June next year. According to sources, Prem pitched the script to Chiranjeevi during their meeting in Hyderabad on December 22, and the Megastar has expressed interest, possibly giving his approval soon. However, an official confirmation from Chiranjeevi is still pending.
Chiranjeevi's last foray into Kannada cinema was in the late 90s with Sipayi (1996), where he shared the screen with Ravichandran. The collaboration with Darshan might face a delay as director Prem is currently occupied with the filming of the pan-India project KD alongside Dhruva Sarja, a two-part epic.
Returning to Mega 156, the film not only signifies Chiranjeevi's comeback to the fantasy genre but also reunites him with director Vassishta, known for helming Bimbisara. Notably, Chiranjeevi's daughter, Sushmita Konidela, is bankrolling the project and serving as the costume designer. The film is being produced under the banner of UV Creations by V Vamsi Krishna Reddy, Pramod Uppalapati, and Vikram Reddy.
While Chiranjeevi awaits a career revival, Mega 156 and the potential Kannada cameo could be crucial steps in reshaping his cinematic trajectory.