Director Mansore, who is currently basking in the success of his latest release, ACT-1978, which is in its third week, is set for his next big leap. The National award-winning filmmaker, who has previously helmed Harivu and Nathicharami, will be directing a pan-Indian historical film titled Abbakka.

The director broke the news to Cinema Express and shared the title poster of the film. Captioned 'Abhaya Rani of Arabian Sea', Abbakka will be the story of the fearless queen, Rani Abbakka Chowta, who belonged to the Chowta dynasty and ruled over part of coastal Karnataka. Abbakka was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal. She fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century and is considered one of India's foremost women warriors.

"I was scripting this historical subject over the last year, and currently, we are in talks with two big production houses who are keen to take up this project," says Mansore.

The director aims to make this a pan-Indian film and release it in six languages. "The film will be shot in Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam, and will be dubbed and released in Telugu, Hindi and Tulu as well," says Mansore, adding, "I want to tell the story of Abbakka to the whole universe."

Cinematographer Satya Hegde, music director Ajaneesh B Loknath, sound designer Mahavir Sabannavar, writer Veerdra Mallanna, and story and dialogue writer TK Dayanand will be part of the team, reveals Mansore. "Further details of the production house, as well as cast, will be revealed in January," he says, adding, "If everything goes to plan, we are looking to release the film in 2023."