Pawan Kalyan's upcoming Telugu film Ustaad Bhagat Singh, directed by Harish Shankar, is set to start shooting shortly, as announced by producers Mythri Movie Makers. The project, starring Sreeleela, has overcome recent shelving rumors and will aim for a release next year. It marks a shift from its initial plan as a remake of the 2016 Tamil film Theri.
Pawan Kalyan, a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, is preparing to dive into his next project after the upcoming release of Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1. This June 12 film, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and AM Jyothi Krishna, features co-stars Bobby Deol and Nidhhi Agerwal.
Ustaad Bhagat Singh has been in development for some time under director Harish Shankar. Producers Mythri Movie Makers recently shared an update on X, stating: "Get ready to celebrate the best of POWERSTAR #UstaadBhagatSingh - Written & directed by @harish2you. This one will be remembered and celebrated for many years. Shoot begins soon."
The film faced speculation about being shelved, but a producer addressed this during a press meet. "Harish Shankar garu has locked the script. It’s extraordinary. We are waiting for Kalyan garu to give us dates for it. We will wrap it up this year and release it next year at any cost," the producer said.
Originally announced as a remake of Atlee's 2016 Tamil actioner Theri, which follows Joseph Kuruvilla, a bakery owner protecting his daughter while confronting his past, the project has evolved. Reports indicate Harish Shankar has revived the script, making it an original story rather than a direct adaptation.
With Sreeleela in a lead role, Ustaad Bhagat Singh continues to build anticipation among fans, positioning itself as a significant entry in Pawan Kalyan's filmography.