Varalaxmi Sarathkumar turns a cop for Johaar director Teja Marni’s next; here’s the first look

Director Teja Marni, the maker behind the critically acclaimed political drama Johaar and the action thriller Arjuna Phalguna, is coming up with another drama with the leading production house GA2 Pictures (a division of Allu Aravind’s Geetha Arts). The film brings together a bevvy of stars including Srikanth, Shivani Rajashekar, Rahul Vijay and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in lead roles.

Commemorating Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s birthday, the makers of the untitled film launched her first look as a cop Razia Ali. “Wishing the Incredibly Versatile Actor..@VaruSarath5 a Very Happy Birthday🎉She is Ready to Stun everyone with the role of Razia Ali🔥#HBDVaralaxmiSarathkumar,” the tweet of the production house read. The backdrop of the burning forest in the background contributes to the intrigue. This is the actress’ first role as a cop in a Telugu film.

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar starred in two successful Telugu films recently - Samantha’s action thriller Yashoda and Balakrishna starrer Veera Simha Reddy as well. Ever since her appearance in Ravi Teja’s Krack, the actress has been a terrific run in Telugu cinema, where she’s being offered author-backed roles consistently. A glimpse of her film as a lead, Sabari, was also launched earlier today.

Given Teja Marni’s penchant for drama, one can expect another solid role for the actress in the yet-to-be-titled GA2 Pictures project (tentatively named Production No. 8) as well. Both the films of the director, Johaar and Arjuna Phalguna, are streaming on aha (and the former on Amazon Prime Video as well). The banner GA2 Pictures scored a hit earlier this month with the Kiran Abbavaram starrer Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnu Katha.

Jagadeesh Cheekati cranks the camera for the film which has music by popular Malayalam composer Midhun Mukundan. Gandhi Nadikudikar is the art director for the project and Apoorva Reddy Yanamala is the costume designer. Bunny Vas is the producer. The movie is expected to hit screens in the second half of this year.