“Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor Would Be Perfect for the Sequel” – Megastar Chiranjeevi Sparks Buzz at the Magical Reunion of Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
35 years after captivating audiences with its enchanting blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (JVAS) is all set to return to the big screen. The timeless Telugu classic, starring Megastar Chiranjeevi and the legendary Sridevi, is making a grand comeback in remastered 4K 2D and 3D formats starting May 9, on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.
Directed by the iconic K. Raghavendra Rao and produced by Ashwini Dutt under the prestigious Vyjayanthi Movies, JVAS remains a milestone in Indian cinema, celebrated for its imaginative storytelling, chartbuster music, and magical visuals. Ahead of its re-release, the film’s core team—Chiranjeevi, Raghavendra Rao, and Ashwini Dutt—came together for a heartwarming interview titled The Magical Reunion, where they took a walk down memory lane.
A Journey Back in Time
Reflecting on the film’s enduring charm, Raghavendra Rao said, “It feels like visiting Indralokam again. This film is close to our hearts.”
Chiranjeevi added, “It’s hard to believe 35 years have passed. Every moment from this movie is still vivid in our memories.”
Ashwini Dutt grew emotional recalling the journey: “Tears fill my eyes thinking about it. I’m forever grateful to Chiranjeevi garu and Raghavendra Rao garu.”
The Origins of a Classic
Interestingly, JVAS was born at a time when Raghavendra Rao was facing a string of flops. Yet, Chiranjeevi and Ashwini Dutt firmly believed he was the only one who could do justice to the vision. “People warned me against choosing Raghavendra Rao garu at that point,” said Chiranjeevi, “but I told them—we’re either making this movie with him, or not at all.”
Musical Magic with Ilaiyaraja
All six songs from the film became instant hits—and were composed in record time! Chiranjeevi recalled: “We gave a basic brief in the morning. By lunch, Ilaiyaraja garu and Veturi garu had a tune and lyrics ready. We approved it on the spot.”
Raghavendra Rao revealed, “We shot ‘Abbani Theeyani Debba’ in just 1.5 days across Bangalore and Ooty.”
A Fever, A Song, and a Hospital Bed
Chiranjeevi stunned fans by revealing he filmed the last song, “Dhinakutta”, while running a 105-degree fever. “I did one shot, rested, and then continued. We didn’t want to delay the release. After the shoot, I was hospitalized and only regained consciousness two days later.”
Low-Tech, High-Impact Visuals
In an era long before VFX dominance, the film’s visuals were pure movie magic. Raghavendra Rao recalled how art director Chalam built a Kashmir-like snow set on the eighth floor of Vijaya Vauhini Studios. Cinematographer Vincent used polythene sheets and Vaseline-smeared lenses to simulate snowy landscapes and glowing effects.
Chiranjeevi highlighted the film’s climax, where Sridevi’s character flies away: “Today, that would take crores and weeks to shoot. Vincent garu pulled it off in less than a day.”
A Legacy That Lives On
The interview was packed with fond anecdotes. Raghavendra Rao said, “This kind of magic can’t be recreated. Even during a cyclone, people rushed to theatres to watch it.”
Chiranjeevi compared the film’s cliffhanger ending to Baahubali: “Just like people wondered why Kattappa killed Baahubali, here too, people still ask what happened to the ring swallowed by the fish!”
A Dream Sequel?
In a moment that lit up the internet, Chiranjeevi said, “I don’t think I can play the hero in a sequel anymore,” laughing, “but Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor would be a perfect pair for it.” He suggested a dream team: “Ashwini Dutt garu’s daughters should produce it, and his son-in-law Nag Ashwin should direct—with Raghavendra Rao garu’s guidance. That would be iconic.”
Ram Charan Joins the Conversation
In a surprise appearance, Ram Charan shared his memories of the film: “This is a dream team—Ashwini Dutt garu, Raghavendra Rao garu, Ilaiyaraja garu, Vincent garu, Paruchuri Brothers. I might’ve become a Hanuman devotee after hearing ‘Jai Chiranjeeva Jagadeka Veera’ as a child.”
Teasing fans further, Charan said, “We still want to know what happened to the ring and that fish. Only one man can give us the answer—Nag Ashwin! We’re not just asking, we’re demanding it!”
The Magic Returns on May 9
Fans across generations are now excited to relive the wonder of Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari with their families. With its 4K remaster and theatrical re-release, the team hopes that today’s kids will feel the same thrill and awe their parents did three decades ago.
