Reigning star Prabhas is reportedly set to join the shoot of the highly anticipated sequel to Kalki 2898 AD next month, further building momentum around the ambitious sci-fi project. As per industry reports, he will begin filming from April 10, appearing in a powerful mythological avatar as Karna.
Sources suggest that a major Mahabharata-inspired sequence is being planned, featuring an intense face-off between Karna (Prabhas) and Arjuna, played by Vijay Deverakonda. This high-octane episode is expected to run for nearly 20 minutes and will include several key characters from the storyline.
The sequel, directed by Nag Ashwin, is currently progressing at a brisk pace. Recently, important portions featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan were also shot in Hyderabad.
Unlike his role in the first installment, where he played a witty and carefree bounty hunter, Prabhas is said to undergo a major transformation in the sequel, portraying a more intense and emotionally layered character.
Meanwhile, he is balancing multiple big-ticket projects. He has already allocated dates for Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and is also working on Fauji, helmed by Hanu Raghavapudi. The film is a period drama showcasing him as a spirited officer taking on British forces.
With such diverse roles across genres, Prabhas continues to expand his acting range, consciously avoiding repetitive roles and pushing himself into new creative territories.
Peddi Rumors Shake Lenin Release Plans
Rumors about the postponement of Peddi have once again picked up on social media, with the makers maintaining silence so far. This uncertainty has created a sense of doubt within the industry about whether the film will actually hit screens on April 30, prompting other filmmakers to keep their release plans flexible.
Amid this confusion, the team of Lenin, starring Akhil Akkineni, announced that they will not release the film on May 1 as initially planned. They described this decision as a gesture of goodwill towards Peddi, also mentioning the friendship between Akhil Akkineni and Ram Charan as a factor behind the move. The makers have now locked June 26 as the new release date.
Interestingly, producer Naga Vamsi is among the few who have openly stated that Peddi is still on track for April 30. However, his stance has drawn criticism online, especially amid ongoing speculation about a possible delay.
Some social media users believe that Lenin might have actually been postponed due to production delays, and that the “goodwill” narrative is being used to gain favor with Mega fans. According to this argument, if Peddi eventually gets postponed, Lenin would benefit from additional time for promotions. If goodwill was truly the only reason, critics argue, the film should have stuck to its original May 1 release.
Lenin is a crucial project for Akhil Akkineni. Despite being in the industry for over a decade, he has appeared in only a handful of films and is yet to score a solid commercial success. With backing from Annapurna Studios, the actor is pinning high hopes on this film to turn things around in his career.