Vijay Deverakonda’s next with Jersey maker Gowtam Tinnanuri, VD 12, takes off; Sreeleela comes on board

Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for his critically acclaimed and commercially successful films like Malli Raava and Jersey (Hindi and Telugu), is back in the limelight for his upcoming film. The director is joining hands with Arjun Reddy star Vijay Deverakonda for a period drama, tentatively titled VD12. The project formally commenced in Hyderabad today with a pooja ceremony.

The event was held amidst the cast, crew and other dignitaries in the city. Sreeleela, who scored consecutive hits with Pelli SandaD and Dhamaka, is finalised as the leading lady. S Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya are bankrolling the film under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas. Srikara Studios is presenting the prestigious project whose shoot commences this June.

Producer S Radha Krishna of Haarika and Hassine Creations handed over the script to VD12’s team while Paruchuri Mahendra, MD of Pragati Printers, switched on the camera. Chukkapalli Suresh, Honorary Counsel General of South Korea, sounded the clapboard.The period drama will have Vijay Deverakonda turning a cop for the first time in his career.

VD 12 marks the reunion of Gowtam Tinnanuri and star composer Anirudh Ravichander after both the versions of Jersey. Girish Gangadharan is the cinematographer for the film and Navin Nooli (who also worked on Jersey) is the editor. Avinash Kolla has come on board as the art director. Other details about the cast, crew will be shared soon, the makers said.

Before VD12, Gowtam was slated to direct RRR actor Ram Charan’s film for UV Creations though the project couldn’t take off for undisclosed reasons. Sreeleela is doing multiple projects with VD12’s production house Sithara Entertainments already - Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju, SSMB28, Vaisshnav Tej’s next. She is also a part of Ram Pothineni’s pan-Indian film, Nithiin’s upcoming film and Ustaad Bhagat Singh too.