Producer Opens Up on ‘Athadu’ Sequel Plans

Superstar Mahesh Babu’s Athadu is a 2005 action thriller film, written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas and produced by Jayabheri Arts. Trisha plays the leading lady, while the supporting cast includes Sonu Sood, Prakash Raj, Nassar, and others. Over time, Athadu has earned cult status for its sharp writing, stellar performances, and Trivikram’s signature storytelling style.

At the press meet for the film’s grand re-release, producer Murali Mohan revisited its journey and shared interesting behind-the-scenes stories. “Athadu was released on August 10, 2005, and now it is making a comeback on August 9, 2025, coinciding with Mahesh Babu’s birthday. To meet the standards of today’s technology, we’ve upgraded the film with the help of Prasads Group,” he said.

He recalled how Trivikram Srinivas first pitched the story: “Initially, we wanted to produce Trivikram garu’s first directorial project, but since he had already committed to Sravanthi Movies, it didn’t work out. Later, he came to us with Athadu and narrated the story for three hours. Though the lead character had grey shades, Trivikram convinced us it would connect with audiences. We gave him complete creative freedom.”

Murali Mohan also praised Mahesh Babu’s support: “Mahesh Babu provided call sheets whenever needed. We shot the climax for 28 days on a specially erected set using cameras imported from the UK. While its theatrical run was moderate financially, Athadu gained cult status on TV, bringing us immense goodwill and recovery through satellite and other avenues.”

Finally, addressing the much-anticipated sequel, Murali Mohan hinted that it could only happen if Mahesh Babu and Trivikram Srinivas come together again — a statement that has already fueled excitement among fans for a potential Athadu 2.