Almost 25 years after doing a cameo in Nagarjuna’s Chandralekha (1998), Sanjay Dutt is making a return to Telugu cinema, this time in a full-fledged role. The actor is all set to play the antagonist in Puri Jagannadh’s Double iSmart, which will see Ram Pothineni in the lead.

A source from the film’s unit tells us, “Sanjay has shot for an exciting action sequence in Mumbai already and is excited about returning to Telugu cinema after so long.”

The makers released Sanjay’s first-look from the film on his birthday (July 29), in which the actor is seen sporting tattoos and a cool hairstyle. “Given that Ram’s look is quirky, Puri had a specific vision for how he wanted his antagonist to look and behave. And Sanjay is game for it,” the source adds.

Sanjay Dutt took to social media and wrote, “It gives me immense pride to be working with the director of the masses, Puri Jagannadh, and the young and energetic Ustaad Ram Pothineni (sic).”