Mar 26, 2026 6:17pm IST
Swayambhu: Nikhil Siddhartha Recalls His Death-defying Horse Riding Incident That Shook Him Up (EXCLUSIVE)
It has been two long years since Telugu star Nikhil Siddhartha had a release. "Appudo Ippudo Eppudo," marked his previous outing, and since then, Nikhil has been busy with his most prestigious project, "Swayambhu." The big-budget period drama, directed by Bharat Krishnamachari, has wrapped up its shoot and is currently in post-production.
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Nikhil, who has mostly done romantic dramas in his career, says "Swayambhu" is his first proper action drama mounted on a huge budget. Nikhil tells us that he worked extensively on his transformation. “I went to Vietnam to learn action and trained for six months. It was the most difficult phase of preparation. The schedules and physical stress were intense, but it helped me shoot rigorous sequences with ease. As the action sequence took a long time to shoot, the shoot also got delayed.”
The trailer has already caught attention for its visuals and grandeur. Cinematographer K. K. Senthil Kumar, known for "Baahubali" and "RRR," is behind the lens. Nikhil calls him a perfectionist and credits him for the film’s grand look. "'Swayambhu' has close to 3,500 CG shots, and the VFX team is working round the clock, with only a few shots left. Senthil is taking care of this aspect, and we trust him completely. Having worked closely with S. S. Rajamouli, he is ensuring a top-notch experience,” adds Nikhil.
In the making for nearly two years, "Swayambhu" is eyeing a summer release. “It’s a project close to my heart. We’ve seen a few rushes and are confident that both fans and general audiences will be taken aback,” Nikhil says. "Swayambhu" also stars Nabha Natesh and Samyuktha, with music by Ravi Basrur, best known for KGF. The makers will soon announce the release date at a special event in Hyderabad.
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