Actor Krishna Ajai Rao, who was last seen in the commercially acclaimed Yuddhakaanda, is currently awaiting the release of Sarala Subbarao. He is all set to begin work on his next film, directed by SK Baahubali of Nan Magale Heroine and MRP fame.

A family thriller, the film was officially launched yesterday, and ahead of the event, the team has revealed a striking first-look poster of the actor. In a surprising transformation, Ajai Rao sports a bald head, half-rimmed glasses, and an intense, moody look. He is paired with Malaika Vasupal in their first on-screen collaboration, and the poster presents the two in a romantic pose — hinting at multiple layers to their relationship.

“This is a family thriller unlike anything seen before,” says director SK Baahubali, adding, “I had Ajai in mind while writing the script. When he heard the second half during narration, he immediately said yes.” The actor, known for his boy-next-door charm, will be seen in four different shades, undergoing significant physical transformations. “I was committed to this while working on Yuddhakaanda. I greenlit the project purely for its content,” says Ajai. The film will also feature Achyuth Kumar, Sudha Belawadi, Ugramm Manju, and more. It is being produced by Kiran under the PK Productions banner, with music by Arjun Janya and cinematography by Sujith. Filming begins on July 10, with a 60-day schedule planned across Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Pondicherry. The project is currently being made in Kannada.

Ajai Rao’s Yuddhakaanda is currently streaming on OTT. Ajai Rao’s Yuddhakaanda, which performed well at the box office, is now streaming on Prime Video in all South Indian languages. The actor has also dubbed for the Hindi version, which is part of the digital release — a first in his career. Yuddhakaanda is produced by Ajai Rao under the Shree Krishna Arts banner, with direction by Pavan Bhat. Ajai has also written the screenplay for the film.