Pushpa

Initially Sukumar announced this project with Mahesh Babu as SSMB26. Later due to creative differences between the two Mahesh walked out of the film by signing his next Sarileru Neekevvaru under Anil Ravipudi's direction. Later Sukumar announced the project going ahead with Allu Arjun by making minor tweaks to the script.[2][3]

Music sittings for the film happened in September 2019, with music director Devi Sri Prasad who is the usual collabarator of director Sukumar for the music composition.[4] He chose Nani's Gangleader's cinematographer Miroslaw Kuba Brozek as DOP. After a short hiatus he chose Karthika Srinivas who last worked for director's 1: Nenokkadine for editing duties. He chose Mounika & Ramakrishna, the art directors of his last movie Rangasthalam for handling production design. [5]

Sukumar personally went for location scouting across Rayalaseema region for perfect locations in Seshachalam Hills as the movie plot revolves around red sanders smuggling.[6]

The film was formally launched on October 30, 2019 at 9:36 am. Allu Arjun,[7] Sukumar, Devi Sri Prasad, Mirlosaw and producers along with Allu Aravind, Surender Reddy and Koratala Siva graced the event.[8][9]

Vijay Sethupathi entered in talks to play the antagonist in October 2019[10] and was confirmed to be part of the film in January 2020.[11] Rashmika Mandanna was casted as lead actress in April 2019.[12] Jagapathi Babu and Prakash Raj are also cast to play key roles in the film.[13][14]

The regular shooting of the film currently scheduled to begin early November 2019 without Allu Arjun on sets. He will be joining the production in March 2020 after his makeover. On the account of Sukumar birthday, the production house released a video which had the clips of the director interacting with cinematographer and fight choreographer and performing test shoot in Kerala's Athirappilly Falls and wishing him a happy birthday.[15][16][17]