Chiranjeevi Channels Drill Master Energy in Mega157 with Nayanthara and Venkatesh

New look, iconic cast, and festival timing — Chiru’s Mega157 starts rolling in Mussoorie under Anil Ravipudi’s direction

Saumya S. June 22, 2025Last Updated: June 22, 2025

41,358 3 minutes read

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Reviewed & Published by HH Entertaintment Desk

Mussoorie, June 22: Somewhere between the misty pines of Mussoorie and the social media timelines of Telugu fans, Chiranjeevi just pressed play on a new chapter. His next big outing, currently dubbed Mega157, is officially in production — and it’s already giving off serious festival blockbuster energy. Think: old-school megastar charisma, a massy director, Nayanthara looking ethereal in winter coats, and a mysterious whistle floating over a drill master’s playground.

Drill Master Chiru? Yes, And It’s Already A Meme

Let’s start with the visual that broke Telugu Twitter: Chiru in full-on school drill master mode, moustache and all, stomping across a foggy Mussoorie ground like he’s about to lead a parade or bust a corruption racket — maybe both. It’s a vibe.

Director Anil Ravipudi, best known for squeezing slapstick into sentiment in films like F2 and Sarileru Neekevvaru, is clearly playing with tone here. This isn’t your usual swashbuckling mass intro. Instead, it feels grounded, quirky, almost meta — like a megastar poking fun at his own mythology while still owning it. Nayanthara is on board as the female lead, and she’s overdue for a big Telugu canvas again. Their pairing feels fresh, and honestly? We’re curious.

Venkatesh Joins The Party: 2000s Flashback Unlocked

Just when you thought the film was banking only on offbeat Chiru charm, in walks Venkatesh. Yep, Victory Venkatesh is making a special appearance, bringing serious throwback energy to the project. It’s a move that’s tailor-made for theatre whistles — and for fans who still miss the days when multi-starrers meant something.

As per Moneycontrol, the film is eyeing Sankranti 2026, which is basically Telugu cinema’s Super Bowl. That slot isn’t just about release dates — it’s about bragging rights, dominance, and who gets the loudest first-day-first-show roar. With Chiru and Venky on the same poster again? Yeah, it’s on.

Offscreen, A Birthday Note And A Pen That Broke The Internet

Beyond the lens, the Megastar turned 69 this month, and younger brother Pawan Kalyan marked it with a short but pointed message: “My wholehearted birthday … Happy birthday Chiranjeevi.” Fans read between the dots, parsing every ellipsis for signs of political truce, sibling shade, or just good old birthday love. The two have had their share of public and private distances — but birthday posts? They always stir the pot.

Meanwhile, Chiru turned full ‘industry uncle’ (in the best way) with a gift to Sekhar Kammula, who just clocked 25 years in the business. A custom pen, inscribed with “Love you My boy – All the very best,” had fans softening instantly. In an industry where legacy often gets reduced to hashtags, this felt real — like a genuine passing of the torch, from megastar to middle-gen director, with ink and affection.

That Time In 1993 When He (Literally) Walked Away From A Plane Crash

Then there’s the throwback that no one saw coming. In the wake of a tragic Air India crash, fans dug up a 1993 miracle: a flight near Tirupati carrying Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, and Balakrishna crash-landed — and somehow, everyone survived.

Telangana Today did the deep dive, and the timing was uncanny. As the internet mourned one aviation tragedy, it remembered another that, by sheer luck or divine scheduling, didn’t take away some of its biggest stars. For fans, it wasn’t just nostalgia — it was a reminder of how close things have come, and how the icons we still cheer for have had their brush with real danger.

What’s Next? A Film That Might Be More Than Just A Film

So here’s the pitch: Mega157 isn’t just Chiranjeevi’s next movie. It’s a pivot, a flex, and maybe even a love letter — to fans, to legacy, to the next generation that’s still learning how to balance reverence with reinvention.

Whether it’s the drill master look, the unexpected casting, or just the quiet power of a birthday message, Chiru still knows how to keep an audience hooked. He’s not trying to prove he’s timeless. He just…is.

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Author Profile

Saumya S.

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Saumya Srivastava is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, focusing daily on captivating stories from the entertainment industry and evolving lifestyle segments. Currently pursuing her studies at BHU, Varanasi, Saumya combines her academic background with a passion for understanding and showcasing the diverse facets of modern living. Her daily articles aim to inform and inspire readers on everything from popular culture to personal well-being.