By Marina Collins – Entertainment Editor
The Telugu film industry is preparing for the worldwide theatrical release of ‘Itlu Arjuna’ on November 13, 2026, according to Samayam Telugu. The film brings together a unique combination of romance, thrilling action, and a crime background, operating under the What Next Entertainments banner.
Directed by newcomer Mahesh Uppala, the production is helmed by director Venky Kudumula in his debut as a producer, while veteran star Akkineni Nagarjuna acts as the film’s presenter.
The project marks the acting debut of newcomer Aniesh, who plays a mute protagonist, starring alongside Malayalam actress Anaswara Rajan, who portrays a character named Keerthi. The cast also features Vennela Kishore, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmanandam, Getup Srinu, and Raghu Babu in supporting roles. Music for the feature is composed by S. Thaman, and the Censor Board has awarded the film a U/A certificate.
Itlu Arjuna: Aniesh Plays a Mute Lover in Nagarjuna-Presented Debut Film Newcomer Aniesh takes on the challenging role of a mute young man in love in Itlu Arjuna, presented by Nagarjuna and produced by Venky Kudumula. The film is now set to release on November 13 after a brief…
Industry reports connect this level of promotional backing to existing business and personal relationships. Aniesh is the younger son of Mahesh Reddy, head of the Hyderabad-based AMR Group real estate and construction firm.
Mahesh Reddy previously produced Nagarjuna’s devotional films ‘Shirdi Sai’ and ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya’, establishing ties that led Nagarjuna to oversee and present the current project. Familial connections with the Nandamuri and Mega families also contributed to the involvement of Junior NTR and Ram Charan.
Speaking about his preparation, Aniesh shared that he underwent a six-month workshop focusing on body language, reactions, and expressions for his character, who communicates without spoken dialogue. Playing a mute character is very challenging, producer Venky Kudumula noted during a press interaction, highlighting the physical demands of the role. The actor trained in acting under Satyanand in Visakhapatnam and spent a year studying the craft in the United States.
Director Venky Kudumula said that he chose to produce the script after hearing it from Mahesh Uppala, citing a desire to enter production with a compelling narrative. The promotional rollout has also featured chart-buster tracks by S. Thaman, whose work on the film has drawn comparisons to his earlier score for ‘Tholi Prema’.
As the film prepares for its global theatrical launch, it enters a crowded box office period alongside several other releases, backed by a reported budget of 40 crore rupees and extensive industry promotion.
More on Itlu Arjuna
Here's the trailer of #ItluArjuna.https://t.co/jIdCrKujTb@anieshforyou, your debut speaks without a single word and that takes real guts. Choosing a role like this for your very first film shows how much you believe in the story over everything else. Wishing you a wonderful…
NTR unveils the trailer of Aniesh and Anaswara Rajan's "Itlu Arjuna", presented by Nagarjuna.#ItlluArjuna Trailer https://t.co/8de4YoQKOY
