Vijay Deverakonda is currently busy working on his upcoming film ‘Kingdom.’ After that, the next project under the banner of producer Dil Raju will be ‘Rowdy Janardhan.’ The movie is directed by Ravi Kiran Kola, who is famous for the film ‘Raja Varu Rani Garu.’

For the important role of the antagonist, the filmmakers have chosen popular actor Rajasekhar. Recently, Rajasekhar completed a photoshoot for the film, and the production team is very happy with his work. It is also reported that Rajasekhar was offered a good remuneration for this role.

Rajasekhar has been doing well in character and villain roles lately, and this new role is expected to add a fresh combination to his career. Though he has refused many offers recently, this film seems to be an exciting project for him. If he continues to accept such strong and diverse roles along with hero roles, Rajasekhar is likely to regain his form soon.

#VijayDeverakonda #rowdyjanardhan మూవీ లో విలన్ రోల్ కోసం #Rajashekar ను కలిశారు మేకర్స్ pic.twitter.com/AWQ0RzVanZ

— TollywoodHub (@tollywoodhub8) May 14, 2025

‘Rowdy Janardhan’ will be a full-length mass action entertainer. Rashmika Mandanna is expected to play the female lead, which will make the combination even more exciting for fans. If Rashmika joins the cast, this will be the third film where Vijay and Rashmika appear together after ‘Geetha Govindam’ and ‘Dear Comrade.’

This film is highly awaited as it promises strong action sequences and a gripping story. The mix of Vijay Deverakonda’s energy, Rajasekhar’s powerful villainy, and Rashmika’s charm is expected to make ‘Rowdy Janardhan’ a blockbuster.

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In Indian cinema, remake movies are very common. Many actors became stars by acting in the remakes of successful films from other languages. But there are a few stars who never acted in a single remake throughout their careers. Here are eight such superstars.

1. Vijay Deverakonda:
Famous for movies like Arjun Reddy and Geetha Govindam, Vijay Deverakonda has been in the film industry for 14 years. He has never acted in a remake movie.

2. Ranveer Singh:
Ranveer Singh has given hits like Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, and Padmaavat. Even after 15 years in the industry, he has not worked in any remake film.

3. Allu Arjun:
With the huge success of Pushpa 2: The Rule in 2024, Allu Arjun became even more popular. In his 24-year-long career, he has never acted in a remake.

4. Ranbir Kapoor:
Ranbir Kapoor has been entertaining audiences for 18 years with movies like Sanju and Animal. He has always acted in original stories, not remakes.

5. Jr NTR (Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr.):
One of the top actors in Telugu cinema, Jr NTR has never done a remake movie in his 24-year career. He is known for RRR and Devara Part 1.

6. Mahesh Babu:
Superstar Mahesh Babu has been acting for 26 years. He gave many hits like Bharat Ane Nenu and Pokiri, but has stayed away from remakes.

7. Dulquer Salmaan:
The charming Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan, known for Sita Ramam and Lucky Baskhar, has never acted in a remake in his 13-year career.

8. Sivakarthikeyan:
Sivakarthikeyan entered the Tamil film industry in 2012 and acted in movies like Remo and Prince. He too has avoided remakes so far.

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Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda were recently spotted together enjoying lunch in Mumbai on March 30, 2025. Pictures of the duo from their outing quickly surfaced on social media, fueling rumors about their relationship. While both actors have not made any official statements about their connection, their regular appearances together and shared social media posts have left fans curious.

Rashmika, known for her roles in hit films like Geetha Govindam, was previously engaged to Rakshit Shetty, her co-star from Kirik Party, in 2017. However, they called off their engagement a year later. Since then, Rashmika has remained a prominent figure in the industry, gaining attention for her work and personal life.

On the other hand, Vijay Deverakonda has been in the news for both his work and some controversies. Earlier this month, he faced backlash for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling apps on his social media. His team responded quickly, clarifying that he had signed a contract as a brand ambassador for skill-based games, promoting them in areas where they were legally allowed. Vijay’s most recent appearance was in The Family Star, directed by Parasuram Petla.

Meanwhile, Rashmika recently starred alongside Salman Khan in Sikandar, which sparked a discussion about the age gap between the two actors. In response to comments about their 31-year age difference, Salman Khan humorously said that as long as the heroine and her family are comfortable, there should be no issue. He added that when Rashmika’s daughter grows up and becomes a star, he would happily work with her too.

Actress Rashmika Mandanna recently found herself at the center of a controversy after stating that she is “from Hyderabad” during a promotional event for her film Chhaava. This statement angered several pro-Kannada groups, who accused her of disregarding her roots despite starting her career in the Kannada film industry.

Karnataka Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga alleged that Rashmika had refused an invitation from the Karnataka government to attend an International Film Festival in Bengaluru. He claimed that the actress had ignored her connection to Karnataka, despite being born in Coorg and making her debut in the Kannada film Kirik Party. The MLA went further, stating that Rashmika “should be taught a lesson” for her behavior.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticized the Congress MLA’s remarks. BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Congress of attempting to intimidate Rashmika and reminded them that every citizen has the right to express their opinions. He stated that Rashmika, like any other individual, has the freedom to choose where she resides and works.

Congress MLA threatens actor #RashmikaMandanna says, ‘will teach Rashmika a lesson’

One of the MLAs went to her (Rashmika) house & invited her multiple times, but she didn’t turn up… Should we teach her a lesson or not: Ravikumar, Cong MLA.@dpkBopanna joins @Swatij14 with… pic.twitter.com/0pTJc6hQe4

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 3, 2025

Several Kannada activists launched an online campaign against Rashmika, expressing disappointment over her statement. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President T.A. Narayan Gowda also weighed in, warning the actress about the backlash she might face from Kannada audiences.

Rashmika Mandanna who hails from Coorg began her acting career with Kannada films but gained wider recognition through Telugu cinema. She made her debut with Kirik Party in 2016 and later starred in successful Kannada films like Chamak. However, she became a household name after appearing in Telugu films such as Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade and Sarileru Neekevvaru.

Despite her strong Kannada roots, Rashmika has often faced criticism for allegedly distancing herself from the Kannada film industry. Many Kannada fans believe she prioritizes Telugu and Hindi cinema over her home industry which has led to periodic backlash.

This is not the first time Rashmika has faced criticism for her statements. Social media users pointed out that she has previously made similar remarks about Hyderabad, reinforcing the perception that she prefers Telugu cinema over Kannada.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, movie budgets have increased significantly. Even mid-range heroes who once made films for ₹30 crores are now working on projects with ₹100 crore budgets. While star heroes usually guarantee a ₹100 crore share at the box office, mid-range heroes face a huge risk. Despite this, producers continue investing heavily in their films. Let’s look at some actors making 100 crore budget films without a 100 crore share movie.

Pawan Kalyan
Power Star Pawan Kalyan returned to films to fund his political party. His recent movies, Vakeel Saab, Bheemla Nayak, and Bro, did not reach the 100 crore share mark. However, his upcoming films, OG, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, and Ustaad Bhagat Singh, are being made with massive budgets. If these movies get a positive response, they might achieve the 100 crore share.

Balakrishna
Balakrishna’s Daaku Maharaaj collected around ₹80 crores in share, but his next film, Akhanda 2, has a whopping ₹180 crore budget. The success of Akhanda has raised expectations for its sequel.

Manchu Vishnu
Manchu Vishnu has never had a ₹100 crore share film, but his upcoming movie Kannappa has a budget of over ₹100 crores. The presence of stars like Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar has boosted the investment.

Nani
Despite multiple hits, Nani hasn’t crossed the ₹100 crore share mark. However, his upcoming films Paradise and another project with Cibi Chakravarthi are being made with massive budgets.

Sai Dharam Tej
Sai Dharam Tej’s only major box office hits are Virupaksha and Bro. His next film, Sambarala Yeti Gattu, has a ₹140 crore budget, making it his costliest project yet.

Vijay Deverakonda
Vijay Deverakonda’s Geetha Govindam was a huge success, but he hasn’t had a ₹100 crore share film. His upcoming movie Kingdom is being made on a ₹150 crore budget and will be released in two parts.

Naga Chaitanya
Naga Chaitanya’s highest-budget movie so far is Thandel (₹90 crores). His next project with Virupaksha director Karthik Varma Dandu will have a budget of over ₹100 crores.

Nikhil
Nikhil’s highest-grossing movie is Karthikeya 2, but he hasn’t had a ₹100 crore share film. His next project, Swayambhu, is being made with a ₹100 crore+ budget.

Akhil Akkineni
Akhil’s only hit is Most Eligible Bachelor, which earned a ₹25 crore share. Despite this, his upcoming movie with UV Productions has a ₹100 crore+ budget.

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Rashmika Mandanna, born on April 5, 1996, is an Indian actress known for her work in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films. Before entering the film industry, she had a brief modeling career. Her acting debut was in the Kannada romantic comedy “Kirik Party” in 2016 which was a commercial success.

 

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A post shared by Sai Pallavi (@saipallavi.senthamarai)

In 2018, Rashmika starred in the Telugu film “Geetha Govindam” alongside Vijay Deverakonda. This romantic comedy became a major hit and significantly boosted her popularity. Interestingly, the role of the female lead in “Geetha Govindam” was initially offered to other actresses. Director Parasuram revealed that Rashmika was not the first choice for the film. Actress Rakul Preet Singh mentioned in an interview that she had declined the role due to scheduling conflicts with another project. Also, Sai Pallavi reportedly declined the role. Despite these initial choices, Rashmika’s portrayal of the character received widespread acclaim and established her as a leading actress in the Telugu film industry.

 

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Following the success of “Geetha Govindam,” Rashmika’s career continued to flourish. She appeared in several successful films, including “Devadas” (2018), “Sarileru Neekevvaru” (2020), and “Bheeshma” (2020). Her role in the pan-India film “Pushpa: The Rise” (2021) further expanded her recognition across the country. In addition to her film career, Rashmika has a significant presence on social media with millions of followers, and has been featured in Forbes India’s “30 Under 30” list in 2024.

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Sai Pallavi and Rashmika Mandanna are two of the most popular actresses in South Indian cinema. Both have huge fan bases and successful careers in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films. Fans often debate about who is the No.1 heroine. Let’s compare their careers, popularity, and box office success.

Career Growth

Sai Pallavi started her career with Premam (2015), which made her an overnight star. Her natural acting and dance skills won hearts. She continued to choose strong roles in films like Fidaa, Gargi, and Love Story.

Rashmika Mandanna made her debut with Kirik Party (2016) in Kannada. She quickly became famous in Telugu and Hindi films. Hits like Geetha Govindam, Pushpa, and Animal made her a pan-India star.

Popularity & Fan Following

Sai Pallavi has a strong fan base for her acting skills and simplicity. She is known for her realistic performances and avoids glamour roles. Rashmika on the other hand has a huge following on social media and is called the National Crush. Her Bollywood entry has increased her reach.

Box Office Performance

Rashmika has acted in several blockbuster movies, including Pushpa: The Rise and Animal which were huge hits in Bollywood. Her upcoming film Pushpa 2 is also highly anticipated.

Sai Pallavi focuses on content-driven films. Though she may not have pan-India blockbusters like Rashmika, her movies receive critical acclaim and good collections.

Who is No.1?

If we consider Bollywood success and box office numbers, Rashmika currently has the edge. However, if acting skills and script selection are considered, Sai Pallavi stands out. The competition remains strong, and both actresses continue to shine in their own way.