S. S. Rajamouli stands out as the pioneer in the Telugu film industry, having attained nationwide fame, especially in the Hindi belt where his brand is synonymous with success. The resounding triumph of the Hindi version of RRR serves as testament to his unparalleled stature.
Apart from this luminary figure, few filmmakers from Tollywood command such widespread acclaim across the country. While Sandeep Reddy Vanga is a notable director, his style diverges from mainstream cinema. Yet, the question lingers: “Who will follow in Rajamouli’s footsteps?” This article delves into Prashanth Varma, the visionary behind the blockbuster superhero film Hanu-Man, poised to be TFI’s next sensation, perhaps even the next Rajamouli.
Transitioning from short films and commercials, Varma made his mark with Awe (2018), a critically acclaimed psychological cross-genre film starring Kajal Agarwal. Building on this success, he directed Rajasekhar in the investigative thriller Kalki (2019), followed by the action-packed Zombie Reddy (2021), which garnered both critical and commercial acclaim. His latest venture, Hanu-Man, soared to success, earning praise for Varma’s screenwriting, direction, and portrayal of Lord Hanuman. The film’s triumph solidified Varma’s status as a cinematic powerhouse nationwide.
This breakthrough has paved the way for a series of superhero films under the banner of Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), including the eagerly anticipated sequel ‘Jai Hanu-Man’, ‘Adhira’ featuring Kalyan Dasari in his acting debut, and an untitled female superhero film. It remains to be seen how Varma navigates this newfound superstardom at such a young age.
