Naga Chaitanya’s upcoming film Vrushakarma has become one of the more anticipated Telugu projects of 2026, particularly because it marks his collaboration with director Karthik Dandu, the filmmaker behind Virupaksha. The project, earlier known as NC24, is being positioned as a large-scale mythical, supernatural and adventure thriller.
The biggest question surrounding the film at present is its theatrical release date. Earlier, Naga Chaitanya indicated that the team was considering an August-to-October 2026 window. However, subsequent reports suggested that the movie could move to December 2026, mainly because of the extensive post-production and visual-effects work involved.
As of the latest reliable reports available, however, the makers have not officially announced a final release date. Therefore, claims that the film has definitely been postponed should be treated as reports rather than confirmed information.
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Vrushakarma: Why Is the Release Date Being Discussed?
The release-date discussion has largely emerged because of the scale of the project.
Unlike a straightforward romantic or family drama, Vrushakarma is being developed as a fantasy-driven thriller with supernatural and mythical elements. Such films generally require considerable work in areas such as visual effects, action design, editing, sound and post-production.
Naga Chaitanya himself previously explained that the movie involves a substantial amount of VFX because the team wants to create a large-scale theatrical experience. He also indicated that the film was around 90% complete at the time of his comments, with the remaining work preventing the team from locking an exact release date.
This is why the release-date uncertainty should not automatically be interpreted as a problem with the film.
Instead, the available information points towards the makers taking additional time to complete the technical work.
What Did Naga Chaitanya Say About the Release?
Naga Chaitanya had earlier revealed that the team was looking at an August-to-October 2026 window for the theatrical release.
However, he also explained that the film was not completely finished and that the remaining work needed to be completed before a specific date could be announced.
Later reports indicated that the makers were considering moving the film towards December 2026.
The important point is that December has been reported as a possible target, but it should not be confused with an officially confirmed release date. Reports from May and June continued to describe the December release as a plan or possibility rather than a formally locked date.
Is Vrushakarma Actually Delayed?
At this stage, it would be more accurate to say that Vrushakarma’s release appears to be under planning rather than officially delayed.
There is a difference between the two.
If a production house officially announces a particular date and later announces another date, that is clearly a postponement. In the case of Vrushakarma, the team had discussed an August-to-October window, but a final theatrical date had not been officially locked in the reports cited above.
Therefore, calling the December possibility a “delay” may be slightly misleading.
The more accurate description is that the movie could be targeting December 2026 after earlier consideration of an August-to-October window.
Karthik Dandu Directs the Film
One of the biggest reasons for interest in Vrushakarma is director Karthik Dandu.
Dandu previously directed Virupaksha, a supernatural thriller that received significant attention for its mystery and horror elements. His collaboration with Naga Chaitanya therefore created curiosity about what kind of world the filmmaker would build for this new project.
The director is attempting something considerably different with Vrushakarma.
The film combines adventure, fantasy, mythology and supernatural thriller elements, giving it a much broader visual canvas than a conventional drama.
The first glimpse released in March 2026 reinforced this expectation by presenting a darker and more mysterious world. Reports described the glimpse as showing supernatural forces and a character connected to sinister energy.
Naga Chaitanya Plays a Treasure Hunter
Naga Chaitanya is reportedly playing a character named Arjun, described by the actor as a treasure hunter.
In an interview, Chaitanya explained that the character and the story have a different feel from his previous projects. He also spoke about the scale of the production and the amount of VFX being used to create the film’s world.
This role could therefore represent a new direction for the actor.
Instead of focusing primarily on romance or family drama, Chaitanya will be seen in an adventure-oriented setting involving mystery, supernatural elements and physical challenges.
That difference has become one of the major attractions of the project.
Meenakshi Chaudhary Joins Naga Chaitanya
The film also features Meenakshi Chaudhary as the female lead.
Chaudhary has been building a presence across South Indian cinema, and her pairing with Naga Chaitanya is another aspect generating interest around the project.
The cast also includes Sparsh Shrivastava, known for Laapataa Ladies, along with Jayaram, Zarina Wahab and Satya, according to reports and available film listings.
Sparsh is expected to have a significant role in the darker side of the narrative, with the first glimpse presenting him in a threatening character associated with supernatural forces.
The Film Was Earlier Called NC24
Before the title Vrushakarma was revealed, the project was popularly identified as NC24.
The title was unveiled in November 2025, with Mahesh Babu sharing the announcement on Naga Chaitanya’s birthday. The title reveal immediately positioned the project as an ambitious collaboration between Chaitanya and Karthik Dandu.
Since then, the movie has steadily built curiosity through posters, production updates and its first glimpse.
The transition from NC24 to Vrushakarma also helped establish the film’s mythology-focused identity.
What Did the First Glimpse Reveal?
The first glimpse of Vrushakarma was released on March 5, 2026.
Rather than presenting the film as a simple treasure-hunting adventure, the glimpse suggested that supernatural and mythical forces would play a central role.
Naga Chaitanya’s character was shown in a rugged and intense avatar, while the footage introduced a darker atmosphere.
This helped change expectations around the movie.
Initially, audiences could have assumed that the project was primarily an adventure story about treasure hunting. The glimpse suggested something much larger — a combination of adventure, mythology, supernatural mystery and thriller elements.
Why Is Post-Production Taking Time?
The visual scale of Vrushakarma appears to be one of the major reasons for the extended production timeline.
Naga Chaitanya has specifically spoken about the amount of VFX involved in the movie. The intention, according to his comments, is to create a large-scale theatrical experience rather than a small-scale thriller.
For a movie with fantasy and supernatural elements, post-production can be especially important.
Visual effects must blend properly with live-action performances. Action sequences, environments and supernatural elements also need to look convincing on the big screen.
This can take additional time.
Therefore, if the makers choose a later release date to finish the work properly, it could ultimately benefit the film.
Rajasthan Schedule Adds to the Film’s Scale
The production has also taken place across different locations.
Reports noted that a crucial schedule was completed in Rajasthan, with the team sharing behind-the-scenes photographs from the shoot.
The Rajasthan schedule is particularly interesting because the location can provide visually distinctive landscapes and historical architecture, which can complement a film built around mythology, adventure and mystery.
The use of multiple locations suggests that the filmmakers are attempting to create a large cinematic world rather than keeping the story restricted to a few sets.
Sukumar’s Association Adds Interest
Another important name connected with the project is filmmaker Sukumar.
The film is produced under Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra and Sukumar Writings, with B.V.S.N. Prasad and Sukumar among the producers. Sukumar is also associated with the film’s story and screenplay-related development.
Sukumar’s involvement naturally adds to the curiosity surrounding the project, particularly among Telugu cinema audiences.
His association with films known for distinctive storytelling has made Vrushakarma an interesting combination of talent behind the camera.
Music and Technical Team
The film’s music is being composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, while cinematography and editing are being handled by experienced technicians.
The technical department is particularly important for Vrushakarma because the movie’s appeal depends heavily on atmosphere, visuals and scale.
A supernatural adventure needs more than performances alone. The cinematography must create mystery, the background score must support tension, and editing must maintain the pace of the adventure.
OTT and Satellite Rights Add Commercial Buzz
The film has also attracted attention in the non-theatrical market.
A June report said that ZEE Telugu had reportedly acquired the satellite rights, although the report also noted that the deal had not been officially announced by the makers.
A later July report indicated that the film’s OTT and satellite rights were reportedly sold for close to ₹50 crore, with ZEE5 mentioned in connection with the digital deal. These figures are based on media reports and should not be treated as officially confirmed unless the producers announce the agreements themselves.
Such reports nevertheless indicate that the industry is showing considerable interest in the project before its theatrical release.
Will Vrushakarma Release in December 2026?
This is currently the biggest question.
Reports have repeatedly mentioned December 2026 as a possible release period. Some film listings have even displayed dates in late December, but the more reliable news reports available have continued to state that an official release date was awaited.
Therefore, audiences should wait for an official announcement from the makers before treating any specific December date as final.
The important update is that the movie is still expected to release in 2026, while December has emerged as the reported target window.
What Can Audiences Expect?
Based on the available glimpse and statements from the team, Vrushakarma is expected to combine several genres.
It has been described as:
- A mythical thriller
- A supernatural adventure
- A fantasy film
- An action-oriented story
- A treasure-hunting adventure
This mixture could give the film a distinctive identity.
The combination of Naga Chaitanya’s new avatar, Karthik Dandu’s supernatural storytelling and Sukumar’s involvement has created strong curiosity around the project.
Final Verdict on the Release-Date Buzz
So, will Vrushakarma get stuck or be delayed?
Based on the available information, there is no clear evidence that the film is stuck. The project has continued to move through production and post-production, and major updates such as the first glimpse and location schedules have already been released.
The uncertainty is primarily about the exact theatrical date.
Naga Chaitanya previously mentioned an August-to-October window, while later reports suggested that the makers were considering December because of the extensive VFX and post-production requirements.
As of the latest reports available, December 2026 appears to be a reported target rather than a formally confirmed release date.
For now, fans can expect the makers to announce the final date once the remaining technical work is completed.
With Naga Chaitanya stepping into a new adventure-driven role and Karthik Dandu attempting another supernatural story after Virupaksha, Vrushakarma remains a project to watch closely. Its eventual release date may have shifted from the earlier window, but the available information suggests that the film’s team is focused on completing the ambitious visual and storytelling elements before bringing it to theatres.
