Aug 25, 2026 11:08am IST
Sriya Reddy Undergoes Extensive Kalaripayattu Training for ‘Mahakali’ Role (EXCLUSIVE)
The release of the first “Mahakali” teaser introduced key characters of the story. Among them, Sriya Reddy was revealed as the fierce Mahakali. Having debuted in 2002 with “Samurai,” she previously starred as Radha Rama Mannar in “Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire,” and is also known for her roles in “Kanchivaram” and “They Call Him OG”.
A source close to the production speaks to Variety India about Reddy's character. “After ‘Salaar’ and ‘OG,’ audiences know the intensity Sriya Reddy brings to every role. But ‘Mahakali’ is something else altogether. While Akshaye Khanna’s Shukracharya is intriguing, Sriya as Mahakali has truly nailed her performance.“
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The source further adds, “She has been training extensively in Kalaripayattu for over a year for her fight sequences. Shriya never fails to surprise, and ‘Mahakali’ may just take that to another level.” It has been revealed that the actor underwent coaching for over a year to do justice to her character. With martial artist Akshay Sekhar joining in as the trainer, the long prep took place in Reddy's hometown of Chennai.
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Jitin Gulati is also part of the mythological film and has worked closely with Khanna, who plays the demon teacher (Asuraguru). Rohit Saraf and Bhoomi Shetty also play key characters in the film. It is the next release in the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU) with Puja Aparna Kolluru as the director and Prasanth Varma as the writer. It was announced on August 24 that “Mahakali” will release on January 8, 2027.
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