We had earlier reported that Pooja Hegde plays an important role opposite Ram Charan in Acharya. According to a source, she plays a tribal woman named Neelambari, who works closely with a Naxalite group led by Ram Charan's character in the socio-political entertainer starring Chiranjeevi in the lead.

For the first time, the Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo actor has gone for a makeover and will be seen in a saree-clad avatar for the part. "For this tribal look, Pooja will be seen wearing a saree and a tribal beaded necklace. She also sports a dewy make-up with four spots on her chin and small arrow-like tattoos on her forearms and neck. She has aced this look to perfection," says a source.

Pooja has two songs with Charan in the film, adds the source. "A montage song called Neelambari was recently shot with Charan and Pooja in Rampachodavaram forests and the other song will be filmed from April 9 onwards in a Dharmasthali village set."

It is notable that Neelambari is the name of the brooding villainous character essayed by Ramya Krishnan in Narasimha (1999). It was role that got equal prominence to that of Rajinikanth in the KS Ravikumar directorial.

Directed by Koratala Siva, Acharya has music by Mani Sharma. The film is slated for release in the second half of 2021.