Mahesh Babu and Anil Ravipudi May Reunite After Varanasi for a Sankranti 2028 Release

Mahesh Babu’s post-Varanasi plans are already becoming a talking point among Telugu cinema fans. According to a report cited by Pinkvilla, the superstar could reunite with filmmaker Anil Ravipudi for his next project, with the film being considered for a Sankranti 2028 theatrical release. However, the project has not yet received an official announcement from the makers, so the details currently remain at the discussion stage.

A Possible Second Collaboration

Mahesh Babu and Anil Ravipudi previously joined forces for Sarileru Neekevvaru, an action-comedy that arrived in theatres in 2020. The collaboration brought together Mahesh Babu in the lead with Rashmika Mandanna, Vijayashanti, Prakash Raj and Rajendra Prasad among the prominent cast members.

The film followed Major Ajay Krishna, who travels to Kurnool after learning about the death of a fellow soldier. What begins as a personal mission eventually develops into a larger confrontation involving a powerful antagonist and a family facing serious problems.

Their earlier association was commercially successful, and a second film from the actor-director combination could therefore attract considerable attention if it moves forward.

What Is Being Reported About the New Film?

The latest report suggests that Mahesh Babu is interested in taking up a relatively quick project after completing Varanasi. The actor is reportedly considering giving dates for the film even before Varanasi reaches theatres.

The proposed schedule would also allow the new project to target the Sankranti 2028 festival period, one of the most important release windows for Telugu cinema. A festival release can provide filmmakers with an opportunity to reach large family audiences and benefit from the holiday season.

At present, however, there is no confirmed title, cast announcement, production schedule or official release date for the proposed Mahesh Babu-Anil Ravipudi film. The reported Sankranti 2028 target should therefore be treated as an industry update rather than a confirmed release plan.

Mahesh Babu First Has Varanasi on His Plate

Before moving to any new project, Mahesh Babu’s immediate focus remains Varanasi, his ambitious collaboration with director SS Rajamouli. The film is scheduled to arrive in theatres on April 7, 2027, and is being mounted on a large international scale.

Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, an archaeologist and explorer caught up in a dangerous mission connected to an impending global catastrophe. The reported storyline takes the character through multiple international locations, including Africa, Antarctica and parts of Europe, while a threat linked to the mythical history of Varanasi forms a major part of the narrative.

The film also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in important roles. Prithviraj plays the antagonist Kumbha, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas is part of the central cast.

The production has already completed substantial portions of its large-scale action work, with Rajamouli previously indicating that the film was moving toward completion.

Why a Quick Follow-Up Could Be Significant

If the reported collaboration with Anil Ravipudi becomes official, it would represent an interesting change of pace for Mahesh Babu. Varanasi is an expansive action-adventure project that has involved an international production scale and extensive visual elements. Following such a film with a more streamlined project could give the actor an opportunity to explore a different style of storytelling.

Anil Ravipudi, meanwhile, is known for combining commercial entertainment with comedy, action and family-oriented elements. His previous film with Mahesh Babu demonstrated that the two can work together within a mainstream Telugu cinema format.

A reunion would also carry the advantage of an already established actor-director working relationship.

Official Confirmation Still Awaited

For now, fans will have to wait for clarity from Mahesh Babu, Anil Ravipudi or the production team. The reported discussions indicate that a collaboration is being considered, but the project has yet to be formally announced.

If the plans eventually materialize and the Sankranti 2028 window remains intact, the film could become one of the major Telugu releases lined up for that festival season.

Until then, Mahesh Babu’s next confirmed major milestone remains Varanasi, which is scheduled for theatrical release in April 2027. The possibility of an Anil Ravipudi reunion gives fans another project to watch, but further details will depend on an official announcement.