Nandamuri Balakrishna has reportedly given his approval to a fresh script narrated by director Gopichand Malineni for his landmark 111th film. Interestingly, this project is said to mark a significant shift in terms of budgeting strategy. Initially, the Balakrishna–Gopichand Malineni combo had planned an ambitious warrior-based folklore drama with an estimated budget exceeding ₹180 crore. However, following Akhanda 2 failing to make a strong pan-India impact, the team decided to reassess their approach.
According to sources, Gopichand Malineni went back to the drawing board with his writing team and developed a high-octane action drama that presents Balakrishna in a darker, more intense avatar, aligning perfectly with his mass appeal. “The new script was unanimously approved and will be produced on a controlled budget of under ₹130 crore,” a source revealed. At a time when Telugu film budgets are skyrocketing, Balakrishna’s willingness to recalibrate costs is being seen as a practical and producer-friendly move.
The source further added that the story is deeply rooted and designed to strike a strong emotional and mass connect with Telugu audiences across the globe. Given the current market realities, the actor and director felt it was wiser to focus on a subject that ensures solid theatrical returns rather than chasing uncertain pan-India numbers.
With many star-driven films struggling due to inflated budgets, reduced OTT deals—reportedly cut by nearly 30 percent—and unpredictable revenues from Hindi dubbing and other non-theatrical rights, producers are facing mounting risks. “In today’s scenario, a Telugu film must primarily recover its investment from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana theatrical revenues. Anything beyond that should be treated as an added bonus. The industry needs to adapt to changing times,” the source concluded.
Balakrishna and Gopichand Malineni earlier delivered the commercial success Veera Simha Reddy, and with this budget-conscious yet powerful script, the duo is aiming to recreate that box-office magic once again.
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