Sai Dharam's period movie to cost Rs 40 crore?

The big success of 'Pratiroju Pandage' has pushed the career of young actor Sai Dharam Tej, a few notches up. Similarly, producer Anil Sunkara, who delivered a hit movie 'Sarileru Neekkavaru,' has resolved to loosen his purse strings and is expected to start his movie with Sai Dharam Tej and director Veeru Potla by March-end.

"The estimated budget of the period movie is pegged at Rs 40 crore and producer was asking the director to prune the budget for last few months. But now, he has given the nod to begin the film by March-end since Sai Dharam has expanded his market," says a source, close to the unit.

Writer-turned-director Veeru Potla, who made movies like 'Bindaas' and 'Doosukeltha,' is now all set to direct a movie set in Sri Krishna Devaraya period with a contemporary touch. "It will be semi-periodic movie with loads of action, romance and fun elements too," the source adds.

Whereas, the nephew of Chiranjeevi, who tasted success by essaying underdog roles in movies like 'Chitralahari' will be donning a new avatar in this historical epic.

"The film demands lot of visual effects and a few opulent sets as well and producer is determined to make this path-breaking movie since he has mostly made commercial potboilers like 'Dookudu' and 'Legend' and comedy flicks like 'Krishnagadi Veera Prema Gaadha' and 'Eedo Rakam Aado Rakam' to carve a niche for himself," the source points out.

Earlier, legendary actor NTR and Balakrishna essayed the role of reverred King in films like 'Mahamantri Timmarasu' and 'Aditya 369' respectively.