Earlier in April 2025, there were reports that Mangalavaaram filmmaker Ajay Bhupathi is planning a sequel to his 2023 hit thriller which starred Payal Rajput in the lead. The filmmaker is now reportedly planning a multi-film franchise.

What makes the development more interesting that Ajay Bhupathi is reportedly in talks with a major Mumbai-based production house for the same. It is not yet clear whether the franchise will continue in Telugu, or be mounted as a pan-India project. In May this year, Ajay had confirmed that he is working on a script for a prequel, with the story set in the 18th century 

Released in November 2023, Mangalavaaram was a mystery thriller set in a small village in the 1990s. Besides Payal Rajput, the film also starred Priyadarshi and Ravindra Vijay in the primary cast.

The film was produced by Mudhra Creative Works and A Creative Works. Made on a modest budget, the film grossed Rs 21.25 crore at the box office worldwide, according to a report from Sacnilk.com. Besides its plot twists and eroticism, the film also garnered a lot of praise for its music by Kantara fame B Ajaneesh Loknath. 

Ajay Bhupathi’s previous directorials include RX 100 and Maha Samudram.