Megastar Chiranjeevi has teamed up once again with director K. S. Ravindra (Bobby) for his next big project, popularly referred to as Mega 158, with music initially planned by AR Rahman. The duo of Chiru-Bobby previously delivered the sensational blockbuster Waltair Veerayya, which created strong expectations for their upcoming collaboration.
However, recent developments suggest that budget pressures have forced significant changes to the project, including Rahman’s exit from the music department.
Budget Revisions Force Production Delays
Director Bobby initially planned this project on a grand scale, with KVN Productions backing the film. However, the current market conditions are forcing many producers to rework budgets, especially as OTT platforms are no longer offering the kind of massive deals they did earlier.
At the same time, KVN Productions is reportedly facing financial pressure due to delays surrounding its other projects. Two of their major films, Toxic and Jana Nayagan, have both seen postponements for multiple reasons, adding pressure on the production house.
These developments are directly impacting the Chiranjeevi–Bobby project. The producers have reportedly instructed the team to revise the estimated budget, which is said to be the main reason the film hasn’t gone on floors yet.
Release Timeline Pushed to Summer 2027
Initially, the plan was to start shooting in December or January and target a Sankranti 2027 release. However, even by mid-March, the project has yet to begin production due to these adjustments.
The latest plan is for the film to go on sets around mid-April, with the release now likely being pushed to Summer 2027.
S Thaman Replaces AR Rahman
Another major change involves the music department. The Mega 158 team initially wanted A. R. Rahman to compose the soundtrack. However, the project is now expected to have S Thaman as the music director.
This change is also believed to be part of the budget revision, as Rahman typically commands a much higher remuneration compared to Thaman.
Similar adjustments are said to be happening across other departments as well, with the team exploring alternative choices for cast and crew compared to the original plan.
Despite these changes, the project still carries strong buzz due to the successful Chiranjeevi–Bobby combination. Once it goes on floors, Mega 158 is expected to be one of the most anticipated Telugu films targeting the 2027 release window.