Exclusive! Will Fahadh Faasil be part of Sriimurali's Bagheera? Here's what the film's DoP has to say...

One of the many exciting projects in Hombale Films' upcoming slate is the Sriimurali - Rukmini Vasanth starrer Bagheera. The Ugramm & Madhagaja actor will be seen in a gritty cop avatar in Bagheera and another highlight of the film is KGF 2 director Prashanth Neel penning its story. Dr. Suri, who previously directed the 2013 film Lucky, starring Rocking Star Yash and Ramya, will be directing the film.

Alongside, Malayalam superstar and famed actor Fahadh Faasil is likely to star in the film in a crucial role and make his Kannada debut as a result. Faasil, should he come on board, is expected to join the sets of Bagheera once the film's production resumes. The shoot of Bagheera came to a sudden halt recently after Sriimurali sustained an injury in his left knee while performing a stunt for an action sequence. He would later be admitted to a hospital to undergo surgery for his damaged ligament. 

However, it would seem that Bagheera is all set to hit strides as the film's Director of Photography, AJ Shetty, informs us that the shooting will most likely be resumed in the month of March. Stating that Sriimurali is doing quite well in his recovery phase and will join the sets at the earliest, AJ Shetty shared a few key details about the project.

"Sriimurali sir is recovering well and we are looking at restarting things in mid-March. We have already shot about 50% of the film and since a vast majority of the film includes him, the injury caused a delay but we are set to resume. We have already shot Rukmini Vasanth's portions," shares AJ Shetty.

And with the film boasting a unique storyline and a larger-than-life setting that uses the crime world as its backdrop, the young cinematographer says that conceiving the visual palette of the film has been an exciting exercise for him. "There is a certain superhero-like quality to the visuals of Bagheera - the palette is dark and grim, yes, but there is a character to it that one generally associates with Hollywood films The Batman. Even the first-look poster, featuring Sriimurali sir, reveals that gritty side of the protagonist and that's been our approach with respect to the visual aesthetic of Bagheera," he adds.

And when is the Malik actor Fahadh Faasil expected to join team Bagheera? "His involvement is not completely clear yet. As far as I know, all the discussions with him have been carried but we aren't sure when he will be part of the production," shares AJ Shetty.

Fahadh Faasil has already collaborated with Hombale Films on the Pawan Kumar-led Malayalam film, Dhoomam (also starring Aparna Balamurali). The film, which will be dubbed and released in Kannada & other Indian languages, is currently in the post-production stage.