Tamil music directors like Vijay Antony and G. V. Prakash Kumar successfully built acting careers while continuing their music work. However, the Telugu industry has rarely seen composers make a successful transition into lead roles, apart from a few failed attempts like RP Patnaik.
Now, Devi Sri Prasad is preparing for his acting debut with Yellamma. The film is being directed by Balagam fame Venu Yeldandi, while Dil Raju is producing it under his banner. The announcement video created a good impression, and Dil Raju is treating the project as a prestigious venture.
Since the role demands strong emotional depth, Devi Sri Prasad is taking the challenge very seriously. He has reportedly undergone a noticeable physical transformation and is fully focused on preparing for the character. In fact, sources claim he has temporarily stopped accepting new music assignments to concentrate on the film.
Initially, the team reportedly planned to balance his acting and music schedules by allocating only part of the month for shooting. But now, insiders say DSP wants to dedicate his complete attention to Yellamma until the shoot wraps up.
Despite the preparations, the film has not officially gone on floors yet. Reports suggest the biggest delay is the search for the female lead. Reportedly, Mrunal Thakur was approached recently, and industry buzz indicates she responded positively, though nothing has been confirmed officially.
Since the role reportedly requires a strong emotional performance, the team appears hesitant to cast a newcomer. At the same time, delays in finalizing the heroine have slowed down production plans further. First, the makers struggled to find the right hero. Now, the choice of heroine is turning into a headache.
A few years ago, another ambitious project from Dil Raju’s camp, Seenayya, which was supposed to introduce director VV Vinayak as a hero was eventually shelved despite posters being released. Because of that bitter experience, this time Dil Raju seems to ensure every major aspect is locked before starting production.
Meanwhile, Devi Sri Prasad is still completing some of his earlier music commitments. He is currently working on Sing Geetham, directed by veteran filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The film features a massive twelve-song album and is targeting a release next month.
With casting still incomplete and several preparations underway, Yellamma may take more time before regular shooting officially begins.
