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After the success of Balagam, director and comedian Venu Yeldandi’s next project Yellamma has been quietly generating strong curiosity in the industry. Despite earlier speculation, actors like Nani and Nithiin have reportedly opted out of the film.

The project has taken an interesting turn with reports suggesting that Devi Sri Prasad is making his debut as a lead actor in this film, further adding to the buzz. Alongside this, attention has now shifted to the female lead casting.

The film initially saw a long list of actresses being considered. Prominent names such as Sai Pallavi, Keerthy Suresh, Sreeleela, and Bhagyashree Borse were all reportedly in discussion at different stages. However, fresh buzz indicates that Mrunal Thakur is now likely to be finalized for the role.

While some industry observers feel actresses like Sai Pallavi and Keerthy Suresh bring stronger performance intensity, Mrunal’s consistent screen presence and recent choices appear to have worked in her favour. Her controlled image-building strategy in Telugu cinema, especially after Sita Ramam, is being seen as a key factor behind her growing acceptance among filmmakers.

In Bollywood, however, her journey has been more mixed, with several recent projects underperforming despite strong glam-driven roles. Yet in Telugu cinema, she has maintained a more selective approach, focusing on content-oriented films rather than frequent appearances.

If confirmed, Yellamma could further strengthen her foothold in Tollywood and possibly mark a more permanent shift towards the Telugu film industry. For now, Mrunal Thakur appears to be riding a strong wave of opportunities in South cinema.