The producers of an untitled Chiranjeevi starrer helmed by Bobby had expected Mohanlal to feature in a cameo as a goodwill gesture. According to reports, the film would have a vital cameo built for a huge actor, similar to Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic performance in Rajinikanth’s Andha Kanoon.
Director Bobby requested Mohanlal for this role, betting on the two luminaries’ friendly real-life friendship, despite the fact that they had never shared screen space. The idea was that Mohanlal would do the role without compensation. However, the plan was thwarted when Mohanlal reportedly stunned the producers by offering a fee of Rs. 30 crore for the cameo.
According to a person familiar with the situation, “Telugu producers cannot afford to pay Rs. 30 crore to any leading man for a full-fledged role, let alone a cameo.” The episode vividly depicts the financial strains now affecting the Telugu cinema industry, where even blockbuster partnerships are being reconsidered in the face of growing costs and tighter budgets.
