Baahubali producers announce two new Telugu films with Fahadh Faasil

SS Karthikeya has been in news recently for distributing the recent Malayalam rom-com blockbuster Premalu in Telugu. After penning a thank you note on social media, the young producer revealed that he will be announcing a couple of his original productions in the day. On Tuesday afternoon, SS Karthikeya and Shobu Yarlagadda announced two major projects with Malayalam superstar Fahadh Faasil. These Telugu original films will eventually get a pan-India theatrical release. Premalu, incidentally, marks SS Karthikeya’s maiden public collaboration with Fahadh Faasil. The film was produced by Fahadh’s banner Fahadh Faasil and Friends, in association with Bhavana Studios.

It may be noted that Fahadh Faasil made his Telugu debut in 2021 with the Allu Arjun starrer Pushpa: The Rise (2021). The Sukumar directorial featured Fahadh as an antagonist, with his IPS Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat playing nemesis to Allu Arjun’s Pushpa Raj. Fahadh will also be appearing in Pushpa: The Rise’s sequel, Pushpa: The Rule later this year. The second part of the Pushpa duology is scheduled to hit theatres on August 15. 

The two films announced on Tuesday afternoon are, namely, Don’t Trouble The Trouble and Oxygen. The posters of these respective films were also unveiled on Tuesday. Don’t Trouble The Trouble, an iconic catchphrase from the Balakrishna starrer Srimannarayana (2012), features Fahadh on the poster with a young girl atop a police jeep. While the girl is brandishing a magic wand on her hand, Fahadh looks shocked. The official announcement of Don’t Trouble The Trouble reads, “A fantasy that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of fun, thrills and emotions.”

In stark contrast to Don’t Trouble The Trouble’s lighthearted poster is the first look of Oxygen. Featuring Fahadh in a face mask, the political map of North Andhra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh regions are superimposed upon Fahadh’s face, indicating to the viewers that the film might be set against a naxal backdrop. Oxygen is described as “A tale of transformation and friendship…inspired by true events.”

Oxygen and Don’t Trouble The Trouble are also the launch pads of debutant directors Siddhartha Nadella and Shashank Yeleti. Speaking about bankrolling their maiden directorials, producer Shobu Yarlagadda writes in a statement shared on his personal social media, “We are introducing two talented directors Shashank and Siddhartha with these two projects and that brings with it its own responsibilities.”

Speaking about his sophomore collaboration with SS Karthikeya, Shobu continues, writing, “I get to partner with the ambitious and dynamic Karthikeya who I would like to think is my protege and hopefully this is just the beginning of a very long and fruitful journey together.” Shobu and Karthikeya have previously worked on the acclaimed Baahubali franchise, helmed by SS Rajamouli. While Shobu produced the duology under his banner Arka Mediaworks, SS Karthikeya worked as a second unit director on Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017). 

Shobu had previously worked as a producer on the Venkatesh Maha directorial Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya (2020) and Pelli Sandadi (2021). Interestingly, Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya is the official Telugu remake of the Fahadh Faasil film Maheshinte Prathikaram (2016). While Don’t Trouble The Trouble will commence principal production in June 2024, while aiming for a 2025 release, the poster of Oxygen merely mentions, ‘Shoot starts 2024’. Oxygen and Don’t Trouble The Trouble will be presented by SS Rajamouli.

Fahadh Faasil, who has last created waves with his performance in the Mari Selvaraj film Maamannan, has Aavesham up in the pipeline. Directed by Romancham-fame director Jithu Madhavan, Aavesham is scheduled to hit theatres on April 11, 2024. Fahadh is also slated to appear in the Tamil films Maaresan and Vettaiyan. The latter, helmed by Jai Bhim (2019) director TJ Gnanavel, will have the actor share screen space with Rajinikanth.