No Immediate Mahesh Babu-Sandeep Reddy Vanga Collaboration on the Cards
There has been sustained buzz that Mahesh Babu's next film after Varanasi could be with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, with Asian Sunil reportedly in the mix as a potential producer. However, it now appears increasingly unlikely that such a project will materialise anytime soon, as the director's slate is moving forward in line with his earlier commitments.
After Spirit, many expected Sandeep Reddy Vanga to move on to a film with Mahesh Babu, especially since the Telugu star is also expected to be free once Rajamouli's Varanasi project wraps. That fuelled speculation that the collaboration could begin almost immediately. But producer Pranay Reddy Vanga has officially confirmed that Sandeep's next film is Animal Park. That leaves little room for an immediate Mahesh Babu-Sandeep Reddy Vanga outing.
Timelines May Not Align
Even setting aside Sandeep's confirmed projects, the calendars of both stars may not line up as neatly as fans hope. Varanasi shooting is expected to wrap by October, but Mahesh Babu is unlikely to jump straight into his next film before the film's release, which is tentatively slated for April 7. He is expected to be occupied with promotions for Varanasi, which is gearing up for a wider release.
On Sandeep's side, Spirit is currently slated for a March 5, 2027 release, though that date remains uncertain. The film could be postponed, as Prabhas's immediate priority is Fauzi. He has reportedly allotted bulk dates to that project, which is on a tight schedule, and is keen to complete and release it in the first half of December 2026. With Spirit and Varanasi potentially arriving within a month of each other, a collaboration on a subsequent film becomes a more realistic prospect, but only if both parties are free and willing at that point.
If Spirit is pushed further, the picture becomes even less clear. Sandeep's brother has also indicated that the director may move ahead with Ranbir Kapoor on Animal Park. If that happens, any Mahesh Babu collaboration would have to wait. Much will depend on how schedules evolve, whether Mahesh responds positively to a script, and whether all stakeholders can align their timelines.
Mahesh will also need to be careful in his selection and choice of director. He will be coming off the international release of Varanasi, and the expectations on his next move will be enormous. After a Rajamouli film, every star faces the so-called Rajamouli curse, and Mahesh will need a project that can match or exceed that scale in the eyes of audiences across India and beyond.
The recent track record of pan-India stars after big Rajamouli films offers a useful lesson. NTR explored rural drama with Koratala Shiva, while Ram Charan went with the bigger name Shankar, but neither managed to create the kind of impact fans expected right after their Rajamouli outings. Among all three, only Prabhas's Saaho landed with stronger force and was received well across India. That kind of large-scale action spectacle could suit a pan-world audience, and it may be the template Mahesh should consider rather than playing it safe.
Other Names in the Mix
Separately, there is buzz that Peddi director Buchibabu has narrated a story to Mahesh Babu and is awaiting his response. In the wake of Peddi's mixed reception in Telugu-speaking states and a weaker showing outside them, however, it seems highly unlikely that Mahesh will greenlight Buchibabu for his immediate next project after the Rajamouli film.
Anil Ravipudi's name has also surfaced in the rumour mill. That would be the safe route if Mahesh wants to limit his reach largely to Telugu-speaking states. Ravipudi's monotonic comedy style has worked for senior actors, but his films are becoming increasingly routine and may not suit Mahesh's calibre at this stage of his career. After Varanasi, a safer comedy may feel like a step back rather than a step forward.
A bolder path would be an action spectacle on the scale of Saaho, which Prabhas used to reassert himself on the national stage. That kind of film has the scope to travel beyond Telugu markets and connect with audiences worldwide.