Sudhanshu Pandey, Nidhhi Agerwal and Nabha Natesh roped in for iSmart Shankar 

Bollywood actor Sudhanshu Pandey is the latest attraction to be added to the ensemble star cast of director Puri Jagannadh’s upcoming sci-fi action drama, iSmart Shankar. The actor, who was last seen in Shankar and Rajinikanth’s sci-fi thriller, 2.0, will be playing a villain the Ram starrer.  “Sudhanshu plays a powerful baddie in the film and he will join the sets during mid-summer once the production team starts shooting climax sequences. Contrary to his last outing, he will be seen in a different look sporting a beard in this film,” informs a source. The first schedule of the film commenced on January 24 and the team has been filming an action sequence in the suburbs of Hyderabad.

Nabha Natesh, who made her Telugu debut opposite Sudheer Babu in Nannu Dochukunduvate, has been roped in as the female lead opposite Ram in the film. She will start shooting for her portions in March. “After failed negotiations with Anu Emmanuel, the team has roped in Nabha as the leading lady. She will be seen in a 'mass avatar' and her character speaks Hyderabadi accent. Her scenes with Ram are going to leave the audience in splits,” reveals a source. It is believed that actor Nidhhi Agerwal has been signed on to play the other female lead. “Impressed with her performance in Mr Majnu, the makers have offered Nidhhi the second lead’s role. She plays a doctor in the film and it’s yet another interesting role with strong emotional connect,” the source adds. Produced jointly by Charmme Kaur and Puri Jagannadh, iSmart Shankar also features Satya Dev, Puneet Issar and Ashish Vidyarthi in supporting roles. Music of the film is by Mani Sharma.