Not Ram Charan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali To Collab With Dhanush For A Mytho Jungle Drama

In a major crossover moment between Bollywood and South Indian cinema, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is joining forces with   for an ambitious new project set against a mythological jungle backdrop.

According to Variety India, the film is envisioned as a large-scale saga rooted in mythology, with Bhansali backing it under his banner  Productions. Interestingly, the film will be directed by Tamil filmmaker P. S. Mithran, known for Irumbu Thirai, Hero, and Sardar.

This project will mark Mithran’s debut in Hindi cinema, as well as his first collaboration with Dhanush.

Initially, Mithran was developing   with Bhansali Productions, but when that film failed to take off, the duo began exploring fresh ideas. That process eventually led to this jungle-set mythological story, which underwent multiple revisions before being finalised a few months ago.

The casting journey also saw a shift. Telugu star Ram Charan was reportedly in early discussions for the lead role, but things didn’t work out. This ultimately opened the door for Dhanush to step in and headline what is shaping up to be a visually grand and narratively distinct cinematic venture.

For Dhanush, the yet-untitled jungle mythological film backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali is shaping up to be his most ambitious Hindi outing so far. The project follows his successful collaborations with Aanand L. Rai on Raanjhanaa, Atrangi Re, and the upcoming Tere Ishk Mein. With its scale and mythological setting, the film is expected to present Dhanush in a completely new on-screen avatar, pushing him into unexplored creative territory. Shooting is likely to begin in early 2027.

Before stepping into this project, Dhanush has a packed schedule in the South. He is currently filming D55 with Rajkumar Periyasamy, followed by a project with Mari Selvaraj, and then films with Pachaimuthu Thamizharasan and Vada Chennai 2. A proposed biopic on A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is also in discussion with Om Raut, though its status remains uncertain. His next theatrical release is Kara, a period action thriller directed by Vignesh Raja, hitting cinemas this Friday.

At the same time, Bhansali is busy directing Love & War, a period romance starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. The film is nearing completion, with a major song sequence scheduled to be shot over a 15–20 day stretch in early May. It is currently slated for a Republic Day weekend release in 2027.