Duo in talks for family action drama, which revolves around banking scams and is expected to roll as soon as guidelines are in place
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 3, 2020)

After making her acting debut in the Telugu film industry with the Mahesh Babu-fronted 2018 political action drama Bharat Ane Nenu, Kiara Advani is set for another outing down South. Mirror has learnt that the actress is in talks for another Mahesh-starrer, Sarakaru Vaari Paata, directed by Parasuram.

“Kiara and Mahesh were a successful pairing in Bharat Ane Nenu and the makers are looking to recreate the magic. After several rounds of discussions, they felt she fits the bill and with successful films like Kabir Singh and Good Newwz to her credit, they feel Kiara’s presence will give the film a pan-India appeal, particularly in the Hindi belt,” reveals a source close to the development.

This is the South actor’s 27th film. The script is locked and the makers are ready to take it to the floors as soon as normalcy returns. “The team is exploring several options on how to shoot and will kick off once the safety guidelines are in place,” the source shares.

The actor has recorded his first Telugu song for the South actor’s upcoming political-thriller
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 31, 2018)

Singing is not new to actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar. In the past he has given playback for the title track in his 2008 National Award-winning production, Rock On!! along with three other songs, “Tum Ho Toh”, “Pichle Saat Dino Mein” and “Sinbad the Sailor”. He also gave vocals for the sequel, crooning “Jaago”, “You Know What I Mean”, “Manzar Naya,” and “Woh Jahaan” with co-star Shraddha Kapoor. His musical repertoire also includes chartbusters like “Senorita” in Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara and “Gala Goodiyan” in another Zoya directorial, Dil Dhadakne Do, the following year.

Now, Mirror has learnt, that 44-year-old actor-filmmaker has given the playback for South star Mahesh Babu in his upcoming political-thriller, Bharat Ane Nenu. His first Telugu song is called, “I Don’t Know”.

A source close to Farhan informs that composer-lyricist-singer-director Devi Sri Prasad has composed music for the song which features the lead pair, Mahesh Babu and Kiara Advani, and was shot in Spain. “It is a fast-paced, catchy number and will introduce Mahesh Babu’s character in the film. The makers have also shot a behind-the-scenes video with Farhan at the recording studio which will be released separately,” adds the source. Bharat Ane Nenu is a political thriller directed by Koratala Siva. It is slated to hit the marquee on April 20.

Farhan and Mahesh have been friends since a long time and the latter has in the past lent his voice for Farhan’s initiative, reciting the MARD poem in Telugu.

While Farhan’s last production with Ritesh Sidhawani, the comedy caper Fukrey Returns, which opened last December, was a sleeper hit, Mahesh Babu’s film Srimanthudu holds the record for being the biggest Telugu film at the box-office after the Baahubali saga. The star enjoys massive popularity across India.