Srikanth Odela is out. Chiranjeevi’s next film, once set to be his directorial reunion with the man who gave us Dasara, will now be helmed by Buchi Babu Sana. The shift comes after The Paradise — Nani’s Telugu actioner, failed to land with audiences, grossing just over ₹100 crore in three days, a figure trade sources dispute but agree was underwhelming for a project of its scale and star power. Industry whispers say the lukewarm response rattled confidence in Odela’s box-office pull, especially after he’d been positioned as Chiranjeevi’s go-to director post-*Dasara*. No official statement has come from either side yet, but sources close to the production confirm the change is underway. Buchi Babu, whose own recent film Peddi drew mixed reactions, now steps into the spotlight with a chance to reclaim momentum. His last major project didn’t quite click with critics or crowds, but this one. Directing the Megastar himself, is a different league entirely. Whether he can deliver on that promise remains to be seen. The announcement could drop any day now. And if it does, it won’t just be about a new film. It’ll be about who gets to shape the next chapter of Telugu cinema’s biggest legacy.