Abishek Ambareesh a warrior in period film with Mahesh Kumar?

Rockline Venkatesh is as good as family for everyone in the late Rebel Star Ambareesh’s household. He’s been with each one of them, whether it was Ambareesh, Sumalatha or Abishek, every step of the way. So, it did not come as much of a surprise to industry insiders that he would be producing one of Abishek’s next films. Back in May, Abishek’s fourth film was announced to be with Madhagaja-maker S Mahesh Kumar, which fans of the Junior Rebel Star were far from pleased with. Abishek, they felt, needed to choose his projects more wisely, considering that he began his filmi journey with the dud, Amar. Madhagaja was a typical ‘jathre’ film and Mahesh is not equipped to handle a star, was the common refrain back then on social media.

Right now, there’s a lot of hope pinned on his second, Bad Manners, directed by Duniya Soori, who has delivered back-to-back hits like Tagaru and Popcorn Monkey Tiger. Bad Manners is believed to give the young actor the image change he’s been looking for. He plays a cop in the film and is paired with Rachita Ram and Priyanka Kumar. Abishek, we hear, has already begun dubbing for his role in the film, so a release could be imminent.

Up next, he has not one, but two confirmed projects – Kaali with Gajakesari and Pailwaan makers cinematographer-director S Krishna and the unnamed one with Mahesh. Kaali’s first look had been revealed in May on the occasion of the late Ambareesh’s 70th birth anniversary, and now comes that of the next, tentatively titled AA4.

Abishek, it would seem, is playing a warrior in the film, and is sporting armour, which could only suggest that AA4 will be a period film. No other details are forthcoming at the moment, but this could be the film he starts next. Kaali is more likely to begin in November, we are told.

Rockline Venkatesh, meanwhile, is currently in the middle of his next production venture, the much-hyped 56th project of Challenging Star Darshan.