Abhishek Varman, the director of 2 States and Kalank, is moving into superhero territory. Industry sources say he will direct Gadadhari Bheem for Dharma Productions, a modern mythological spectacle rooted in Indian lore but set firmly in the contemporary world.
Varman has so far been known for large-canvas studio dramas rather than effects-heavy action, so the pivot is significant. The project is being shaped as a theatrical tentpole: a big-budget studio film designed to anchor a slate and pull audiences into cinemas. Sources described it as an “unapologetic tentpole theatrical spectacle” built around action design and visual effects rather than a period costume drama.
What is locked so far
The writing phase is said to be complete, with Varman having spent time fine-tuning the screenplay. The next task is casting, with the makers looking for a leading A-list actor to play the title role. No name has been confirmed yet.
- Director: Abhishek Varman
- Producer: Dharma Productions, as per industry sources
- Status: Script locked, casting underway
- Lead: A-list star expected, not finalised
- Scale: VFX-heavy theatrical tentpole
Why it matters now
Audiences in late 2026 have shown a strong appetite for visually driven, mythologically infused epics made for premium large formats. Gadadhari Bheem is positioned directly in that space, which makes it a bet on where the theatrical market is heading rather than a standalone experiment.
It also extends Dharma’s interest in homegrown mythic storytelling. The banner is already developing Naagzilla, a project built around shape-shifting serpents from Indian mythology. Two titles in this lane start to look like a slate strategy.
What remains open
Pre-production is moving into active development. The team plans to finalise the primary cast and technical crew in the coming months, after which the shooting timeline will be locked. An official announcement about the lead actor and production partners is expected once paperwork and schedules are in place.
Until then, these details remain unconfirmed. The key reveals to track are the casting, the visual-effects team and the release window.
Source: bollywoodHungama.com
