Chithha (Tamil) – Official Trailer | Siddharth | S.U.Arun Kumar | Dhibu Ninan Thomas | Etaki

Venu Yeldandi’s much-awaited rural drama Yellamma, which is being mounted on a strong emotional backdrop after the success of Balagam, has been facing unexpected delays even before going on floors.
The project initially saw major casting changes after both Nani and Nithiin reportedly stepped away from the film. Later, music composer Devi Sri Prasad came on board as the lead actor, marking a significant shift in the film’s direction and raising expectations.

However, the film is still stuck in the casting stage, and industry buzz suggests that the primary reason is the heroine selection. Reports indicate that DSP is very particular about pairing with a “big” and currently trending actress, which has slowed down finalisation.

Initially, names like Sai Pallavi and Keerthy Suresh were considered, generating strong excitement due to their proven performance track record. However, those combinations did not materialise. Later, younger actresses such as Sreeleela and Bhagyashri Borse were also reportedly in discussion.
The latest buzz suggests that Mrunal Thakur is now close to being finalised, though there is still no official confirmation from the makers.

Typically, rural dramas of this scale move quickly into production once casting is locked, but Yellamma appears to be taking longer due to its ambitious casting expectations. While producer Dil Raju’s team is said to have multiple options, the final decision is being carefully weighed to balance performance strength and pan-India appeal.
Industry talk also suggests that top actresses are being selective about medium-budget rooted dramas unless the overall package and scale are highly attractive, which is adding further delay to the project’s start.