After the success of Balagam in 2023, Venu Yeldandi is gearing up for his second directorial venture. Balagam was widely appreciated at the box office, on digital platforms, and even on television. It won several awards, from national honors to Gaddar Awards, and is considered one of the most celebrated Telugu films in recent years.
Dil Raju, who produced Balagam, is backing Venu Yeldandi’s next project as well. The film, reportedly titled Yellamma, is said to revolve around a strong female character. Keerthy Suresh is expected to play the lead role, though Sai Pallavi was initially approached.
The male lead, however, remains undecided. When the film was first announced, Dil Raju confirmed that Natural Star Nani would play the role. Later, Nani opted out, citing scheduling issues. He appreciated Venu’s earlier work and the script of Yellamma, but said he would prefer to take up the project at the right time. Nani is currently shooting for The Paradise and has another film lined up with Sujeeth.
After Nani’s exit, Dil Raju reportedly considered Nithiin for the role. During the promotions of Nithiin’s Thammudu, Dil Raju mentioned he was keen to collaborate with him. However, months after Thammudu released, no official announcement was made, and reports suggest Nithiin too has stepped away. There were also talks of approaching young actor Teja Sajja.
The latest reports suggest Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas might be on board. However, sources close to the production clarified that no approach has been made yet and the lead actor has not been finalized. The makers are reportedly searching for someone who fits the character written by Venu Yeldandi, as the role demands significant performance. At this point, the female lead is nearly confirmed, but the male lead of Yellamma remains a question mark.
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