Karthik Subbaraj Says He Narrated a Script to Chiranjeevi; No Deal Is Final

Tamil director Karthik Subbaraj has said he narrated a script to the Telugu star Chiranjeevi, according to a Pinkvilla report dated 17 October. The remarks were made on the podcast Permit Room.

Deccan Chronicle and The Hans India reported the talks on 8 October, with the Hans India report citing unnamed sources. None of the reports includes a response from Chiranjeevi, and no official announcement has been made.

What Subbaraj Said on the Podcast

In the Pinkvilla report, Subbaraj says he is hopeful of working with Chiranjeevi, and that nothing is finalised as of now. Pinkvilla says reports suggest the two may collaborate on an upcoming project, which would be their first work together.

Pinkvilla's report came nine days after the first reports on 8 October. Those earlier reports described a script being narrated to Chiranjeevi; the 17 October report adds Subbaraj's own words.

Subbaraj's most recent film is Dorothy, which he wrote and directed. Pinkvilla says the film is set in the 1980s, with Keerthy Suresh as co-lead alongside Sananth and Rishikanth, and music by Ilaiyaraaja. Deccan Chronicle refers to its success and notes that Subbaraj has directed Rajinikanth before, in Pettai.

Earlier Reports of a Script Pitch

Deccan Chronicle reported that Subbaraj is said to have presented a script to Chiranjeevi in a sitting of more than two hours, with the actor expected to decide soon. The same report says Chiranjeevi is talking with several young directors but has not approved one for his next project.

Hans India, citing unnamed sources, said Subbaraj had narrated the full story and was waiting for Chiranjeevi's approval. Hans India also says some reports put a project Chiranjeevi announced on social media with Srikanth Odela, known for The Paradise, on hold. Nani was reportedly set to produce it.

Deccan Chronicle says nothing is final yet, while Hans India calls Subbaraj a Kollywood director. Neither report quotes Chiranjeevi.

Chiranjeevi's Current Film, Kaaka

Chiranjeevi is working on Kaaka, directed by Bobby Kolli and produced under KVN Productions. Pinkvilla spells the title Kaaka, while Hans India spells it Kaka. Both outlets give 13 January 2027 as the theatrical date, during the Sankranti or Pongal season.

Pinkvilla describes the reported plot as an action thriller about a family man with a younger, more stylish, action-driven alter ego. Hans India says a title glimpse released on Chiranjeevi's birthday shows him as Supervisor Satyam, a working-class employee at an aquaculture company who becomes Kaka after office hours, and highlights his bond with his daughter, Ammulu. Telangana Today places the character as a supervisor at Ammaji Aqua Industries in Ravulapalem, according to the title teaser, and describes the protagonist's arc as a key attraction. Telangana Today also reports that Chiranjeevi named the character Kadiri Kalidas at a recent event.

Telangana Today, citing IANS on 26 September, says the cast has begun dubbing and that the first-half edit is nearing completion. The unit began its latest schedule on 7 September, and an interval fight sequence was shot recently.

Telangana Today names Anaswara Rajan and Nivetha Pethuraj alongside Chiranjeevi, while Pinkvilla gives Anaswara Rajan a pivotal role and Hans India names Sunil, Priyamani and Anurag Kashyap in the cast. Hans India reports that shooting is moving quickly. Deccan Chronicle lists Vishwambara as a film of Chiranjeevi's that is ready for release, with no date given.

No official announcement has been made by Chiranjeevi, Subbaraj or their teams.

Where the Project Stands

No official announcement has been made by Chiranjeevi, Subbaraj or their teams. In these reports, Subbaraj's remarks on the podcast are the only attributed comment about the possible project.

The possible project has no announced producer, cast or release date. Each report treats the collaboration as unconfirmed, and none includes a response from Chiranjeevi. None of the reports gives the possible film a title. Kaaka, by contrast, has an announced release date of 13 January 2027.

Pinkvilla's report is the most recent of the reports cited here, and it carries Subbaraj's own words.