Director Puri Jagannadh and ace producer and distributor Dil Raju are teaming up after a long time.

It has been confirmed that the upcoming directorial from Puri Jagannadh, which features his son Akash, has been taken over by Dil Raju. Yes, the distribution rights of Mehbooba have been picked up by Sri Venkateswara Creations. Dil Raju, one of the most successful producers and distributors in the Telugu film industry, is known for picking up the best scripts.

Making the announcement, actor Charmee Kaur, co-founder of Puri Connects, said in a statement: “It gives us immense pride and pleasure to be associated with the successful and well reputed producer Dil Raju garu’s Venkateswara Films, for our film Mehbooba, directed by Puri Jagannadh, starring Akash Puri, a proud Puri Connects venture.”

The shooting for Mehbooba has been wrapped up and it is currently in the post-production mode. According to reports, the film’s release is slated to be on May 11 and its makers are working towards meeting this deadline.

On Mehbooba, which will mark his son Akash’s debut as hero in Tollywood, the director had tweeted much earlier: “After finishing ‘Mehbooba’ script, I realised that I’m doing a highly intense and passionate love story for the first time ever which is completely out of my repertoire of ideas. It is a soulful love story in the backdrop of 1971 Indo-Pak war.”

The film has Mangalore-based Neha Shetty playing the lead opposite Akash. The film has been shot extensively in the northern parts of India, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. Sandeep Chowta has composed music for this venture.

Akash made his debut as a child artiste in Dhoni in 2012 and went on to act in Andhra Pori as well. Dhoni, which was directed by Prakash Raj, was released in Tamil and Telugu. The film starred Prakash Raj, Akash and Radhika Apte in the lead roles. Interestingly, Dhoni’s Telugu version was distributed by Dil Raju’s Sri Venkateswara Creations.

(Content provided by Digital Native)