Skip to content
Poster of Karthik Subbaraj's upcoming Netflix film featuring silhouettes of Upendra, Prabhu Deva and AtharvaPhoto via 123telugu.com

Karthik Subbaraj Announces Netflix Film Starring Upendra, Prabhu Deva

The director revealed the project, adapted from a novel about the folk art Puliyattam, is already partially filmed and will head straight to Netflix after Dorothy’s Telugu debut.

By Autoplay2 min read

In this story

Current hype level70

Live site hype

around 6 reading right now · 282 today

Karthik Subbaraj isn’t waiting for the buzz around Dorothy to die down. While the Tamil thriller is gearing up for its Telugu launch on October 2, the filmmaker slipped a fresh teaser about his upcoming Netflix venture.

He told reporters that the new project will bypass theatres entirely, heading straight to the streaming giant. The cast list reads like a who’s‑who of South Indian cinema: Kannada legend Upendra, choreography king Prabhu Deva and fresh face Atharva are confirmed to play pivotal roles.

What makes the film intriguing isn’t just the star power. Subbaraj disclosed that the story springs from a novel that revolves around Puliyattam – a traditional folk dance that mimics the movements of a tiger. The premise promises a visual feast, especially with Deva’s dance credentials in the mix.

Production, according to the director, is already humming along. A segment of the shoot has been wrapped, meaning the team is further ahead than most of his previous ventures at this stage. No official title has been revealed yet, but the working title is being kept under wraps until the promotional cycle kicks in.

Industry insiders are already speculating on how the Puliyattam angle will translate on screen. If Subbaraj’s track record is any guide – from the kinetic energy of "Pizza" to the gritty realism of "Mahaan" – the blend of folklore and contemporary storytelling could be a fresh addition to Netflix’s Indian catalog.

Fans of the director have taken to social media, flooding timelines with excitement over the pairing of Upendra’s intense screen presence with Deva’s rhythmic flair. The inclusion of Atharva, a relative newcomer, has also sparked curiosity about the kind of character he’ll portray alongside the veterans.

While the exact release window remains unannounced, the fact that the film is already in the can suggests a 2027 debut is plausible. Subbaraj’s pattern of dropping projects close to major festival seasons could mean a strategic launch during a holiday period to maximise viewership.

For now, the only concrete detail is the Netflix flag. As the streaming platform continues to invest heavily in regional content, Subbaraj’s next move could cement his status as a cross‑language auteur who can deliver both theatrical hits and binge‑worthy series.

Keep an eye on Subbaraj’s official channels – more cast names, crew credits and a teaser are expected in the coming weeks.

Reported from

This article was written by the CutMirchi desk from the reporting above. Facts are attributed to their original publishers.

What did you make of it?

Be the first to comment

Join the argument. No password, just your email or a passkey.

    Read next