Mahakali: Prasanth Varma expands HanuMan universe with a female superhero

    Prasanth Varma promises that Mahakali will "break the mold" and redefine what it means to be a superhero in Indian cinema.

    Mahakali poster

    Mahakali poster

    Filmmaker Prasanth Varma, the director behind HanuMan, has announced his next ambitious project—a female superhero movie inspired by the legend of Goddess Mahakali. The film will be an extension of the cinematic universe he started with HanuMan, known as the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU).

    "On this auspicious occasion of Navratri, I’m thrilled to share something very special. Together with @RKDStudios, we proudly present the tale of an invincible warrior, the protector of the righteous, and the ultimate destroyer of evil," Prasanth tweeted, while unveiling an eye-catching teaser video introducing the title of the film.

    The director further shared his vision for the project, stating that Mahakali will "break the mold and redefine what a superhero can be," hinting at a fresh, powerful take on female superheroes within the Indian cinematic landscape.

    Prasanth Varma has been vocal about his long-term commitment to building this movieverse, dedicating over a decade to exploring superhero narratives rooted in Indian mythology. Mahakali is the latest addition to the PVCU, which already includes two more upcoming superhero films based on mythological figures.

    Prasanth’s previous film HanuMan struck gold at the box office, despite its modest budget and the absence of A-list stars. Released alongside big-budget movies in the Telugu states, HanuMan defied the odds with glowing reviews and emerged as the biggest hit of last year’s Sankranti festival. The film earned over Rs 350 crore from worldwide ticket sales and gained significant traction in Hindi-speaking regions as well.

    With the success of HanuMan, Prasanth has cemented his place as a rising force in Indian cinema. He's also working on Jai Hanuman, which is a sequal to HanuMan.