Producer Dil Raju, known for backing big-budget films, had earlier announced Jatayu, a fantasy adventure with Vijay Deverakonda in the lead, directed by Mohana Krishna Indraganti. However, before the project could take off, significant changes were made.
The primary reason for the shift was the script. While Indraganti developed the story, Dil Raju reportedly had concerns about its commercial appeal. Fantasy films require a strong mass appeal, and he felt the screenplay wasn’t aligned with that vision. As a result, the team decided to rethink the project with a different lead actor and director.
Another major factor in this decision was the box office failure of Vijay Deverakonda’s Liger. The film’s disastrous performance made it risky to launch another large-scale project with him at this stage, especially under a director with a limited commercial track record like Indraganti.
Now, speculations are rife that Jatayu might be revamped with Prabhas in the lead. Given Prabhas’ global market, the makers believe he would be a better fit for the grand vision of the film. To strengthen the script, new writers have been brought in, and a fresh director is also being considered.
However, with Prabhas already involved in multiple fantasy projects like The Raja Saab, Kalki 2898 AD Part 2, and Brahmarakshas, some industry insiders worry about audience fatigue with back-to-back films in the same genre. The final decision might depend on who helms the project.
It remains to be seen how Jatayu will evolve in its new form, but with a bigger star and a refined script, the film could be a massive game-changer.