Megastar Chiranjeevi officially launched his 158th film, tentatively titled Mega 158, with a grand pooja ceremony in Hyderabad on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The highly anticipated project reunites the actor with director Bobby Kolli (K.S. Ravindra) after their 2023 blockbuster Waltair Veerayya. The launch event became a memorable family affair with the presence of Chiranjeevi’s brothers, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and actor Nagendra Babu.
Pawan Kalyan graces the grand pooja ceremony
Pawan Kalyan attended the launch ceremony at Annapurna Studios as the chief guest and clapped the first shot to mark the official commencement of the film. Chiranjeevi’s daughter, Sushmita Konidela, switched on the camera, while prominent filmmaker VV Vinayak directed the first ceremonial shot.
Other notable industry figures, including veteran directors B. Gopal and A. Kodandarami Reddy, along with Nagendra Babu, formally handed the script to the director and producers, marking a traditional start to the production.
High-profile technical crew and cast additions
The film is bankrolled by Venkat K Narayana under the banner of KVN Productions, representing the prominent production house’s maiden direct venture into Telugu cinema. Ahead of the launch, the makers announced a stellar technical crew to handle key responsibilities.
Celebrated musician S. Thaman has been roped in to compose the songs and background score, while Ruben will serve as the editor. Cinematographer Vijay Karthik Kannan, recognized for his visual work in Jailer, has joined the project as the director of photography. Avinash Kolla will head the production design. On the acting front, Malayalam actress Anaswara Rajan has been cast in a significant role.
Chiranjeevi’s intense physical preparation for the role
Prior to the official launch, Chiranjeevi generated significant buzz on social media by sharing a video of his rigorous training routine in the gym. The veteran actor has been undergoing a strict fitness transformation to prepare for the physically demanding requirements of his character.
The movie is expected to be a high-voltage action drama. A previous promotional poster featured a blood-stained axe with the tagline “The blade that set the bloody benchmark,” suggesting a rugged, intense backdrop for the story. The regular shoot of the film is scheduled to begin shortly in Hyderabad.