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The makers of Mahakali released the film's first teaser on August 24. Titled Shukracharya's War Cry', the first glimpse centres on Akshaye Khanna's character, Shukracharya, described in the film as guru of the Asuras, and offers a brief look at Sriya Reddy's Mahakali. The teaser sets up a conflict framed as a battle between Dharma and Adharma.
Directed by Puja Kolluru, Mahakali follows up filmmaker Prasanth Varma's Hanu-Man, which established the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU) with its blend of Indian mythology and large-scale spectacle.
Khanna appears through most of the teaser with a long silver-white beard, matted hair tied in a topknot, and tilak markings on his forehead. The look was shared by the makers ahead of the teaser as well, under the tagline "The End Begins."
Actor Sriya Reddy appears near the end of the teaser as the goddess Mahakali, shown soothing an infant before looking up to face the camera. This is the only appearance by her character in the promo.
The teaser also confirmed the film's release date. Mahakali is scheduled to open in theatres on January 8, 2027, in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. The teaser also confirms that the film will release in IMAX 3D, 4DX, and Screen X.
The film is directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru and written and conceptualised by Prasanth Varma, who created the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU) with Hanu-Man in 2024. Mahakali is being positioned as the next film in that universe. It is presented by RK Duggal and produced by Riwaz Ramesh Duggal under the RKD Studios banner.
Alongside Khanna and Reddy, the film's cast includes Bhoomi Shetty, Rohit Saraf, Samuthirakani, Rakesh Bedi, Rajat Kapoor, Murali Sharma and Nassar. The music of Mahakali is by Smaran Sai, the cinematography is by Suresh Ragutu, and the production design by Sri Nagendra Tangala.
The film's team wrapped a 100-day shooting schedule earlier this year, followed by a final 40-day schedule in Hyderabad. Presented by RK Duggal and produced by Riwaz Ramesh Duggal under the RKD Studios banner,
Mahakali marks Khanna's first Telugu-language film. He previously appeared in Dhurandhar (2025), and in Ikka (2026).