666 Operation Dream Theatre: Hemanth M Rao presents retro Daali in Dhananjaya’s first look

Sapta Sagaradaache Ello maker Hemanth M Rao has just revealed the first look of Daali Dhananjaya from their maiden collaboration, 666 Operation Dream Theatre, and netizens can’t get over the 80s retro vibe the actor exudes. Captioned ‘License to Shine’, the first look has Dhananjaya almost clean-shaven, with the slightest stubble, a fuller head of hair, wearing a polka-dot shirt, with a reel of film faded out in the foreground.

Thumbs up from netizens for Dhananjaya's new avatar

“Wow, hosa avatara”, “Are we back in the 80s?”, “Retro Daali”, “Retro style film by the masterclass director”, “Daali Anna, Annavrna nenap madbitri”, were among the early comments that the first look received, given that it dropped a little before 8 am. Hemanth has been guarded about the subject of the film, but during a recent X space he had revealed that there is a retro angle to the story, which is a mix of genres, but predominantly, a suspense thriller.

666 Operation Dream Theatre is a film that Hemanth has taken up as an interim project before he can go on floors with Bhairavana Kone Paata, with Shivarajkumar in the lead. Bhairavana Kone Paata had to be put on hold following Shivarajkumar’s battle with cancer of the bladder and subsequent recuperation. Hemanth’s film is quite action intense, so, he does not want to get started before his leading man is back to good health and fitness.

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Shivarajkumar has a pivotal role in 666 Operation Dream Theatre as well and his first look will be revealed on July 12, 2025, on the occasion of his birthday. It had earlier been rumoured that the film focuses on an NRI’s efforts to save a movie theatre in his home town, but after the title reveal, netizens have been speculating if it is a spy thriller that will pay homage to Dr Rajkumar’s Operation Diamond Racket.