Uday Mahesh: After Chellam sir from The Family Man, I would have become a full-time Hindi actor had I not signed Lucky | EXCLUSIVE
Lucky The Superstar marks Uday Mahesh’s return to direction after two decades. A fantasy drama about a child and a puppy, it premieres directly on OTT this week
Last Updated: 06.42 PM, Feb 18, 2026
Uday Mahesh who first debuted as writer and director and helmed films like Naalai and Chakkara Viyugam, became more popular in the post Covid pandemic era as Chellam sir, all thanks to the Hindi spy thriller series The Family Man. But not giving up on his initial career decision as filmmaker, Uday Mahesh returns to direction after nearly two decades with the upcoming Tamil film Lucky The Superstar. The film has opted for a direct-to-OTT release and will stream this week via OTTplay Premium. Ahead of the premiere, Uday speaks to OTTplay about the film, his return to direction and more.
What is Lucky The Superstar about?
What does he have to say about Lucky? “It was during the Covid time, when I began to write a few scripts to utilise my time. Lucky is one of them. Once the pandemic was over, I got a call from the production to pitch something for the OTT. I had offered two stories and they liked Lucky. Once they connected me to JioHotstar, everything followed,” he answers.
Uday who is returning to direction after a long time, wanted to give something new. “If I have to compete with young directors now, I should offer something new and different. Lucky is a fantasy film and it revolves around the relationship between a child and puppy. GV Prakash will be a bridge between them,” Uday adds.
Lucky marks the OTT debut of GV Prakash as actor, while Anaswara Rajan plays the female lead, who was recently seen in With Love. Uday elaborates, “GV Prakash okayed the script after listening to just until interval. Meanwhile, someone from JioHotstar had referred Anaswara Rajan. While we were to debut her in Tamil, Lucky got delayed due to animation works.”
What does Uday Mahesh have to say about Chellam sir?
Uday who has gained fame playing Chellam sir through Hindi series The Family Man, talks about the difference between the south and north when it comes to making content for OTT. “We are regional content and as stories as per our language and culture are being adapted. But we can have pan-Indian content on OTT too, like Lucky which is a story for all regions. On the other hand, web series,” Udhay Mahesh says.
It is after nearly two decades Uday is wielding the megaphone, as he got busy with acting in the time between. He says, “Acting can make you lazy, it can get you into comfort zone because you need to do what the director says. But writing and direction need more efforts.” In this gap, Uday says that the only difference he sees in making films is the conversion from film to digital, and adds the tastes of people have remained the same. “Ghilli still runs successfully in theatres. Good films win anytime they release. Now, directors are also experimenting with new content, while back then directors were doing safe game with sure shot elements like songs and comedy.”
Uday calls the popularity he earned through Chellam sir ‘unexpected’. “We never thought this character will get so much love and attention. The director used to improvise on spot and Chellam sir created some buzz. It was during that time when I had signed Lucky. I was offered many roles in Hindi back then but couldn’t take it up. Otherwise, I would have become a full-fledged Hindi actor. But even if I am acting now, it is only because of Chellam sir.” Asked if Chellam sir will return for the fourth season of The Family Man, Uday says that the filmmakers are best ones to answer. “I have been so far, and third season is left in a cliffhanger. There will be fourth season but only they can say if my role will continue,” he answers.
Uday plans to write and direct more films in the future, including an army-based script that he is working on now.
Lucky The Superstar FAQs
Q. When is Lucky The Superstar releasing on OTT?
A. Lucky The Superstar will premiere on Feb 20 on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium.
Q. What is Anaswara Rajan's next release?
A. Anaswara Rajan will appear in Lucky The Superstar in her next Tamil outing after With Love.
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