Vijay Deverakonda Said ‘No’ To This, Rejects Cult Classic!

Back in 2017, Malli Raava turned out to be a surprise hit. It starred Akkineni Sumanth and marked the Telugu debut of Akanksha Singh. Directed by Gautham Tinnanuri, the film told a simple, emotional love story that struck a chord. With soothing music by Shravan Bharadwaj, it helped Sumanth bounce back from a series of flops.

But here’s the twist, Sumanth wasn’t the first choice. Director Gautham recently revealed during promotions for his upcoming movie Kingdom that he initially approached Vijay Deverakonda for the role. This happened on the day Pelli Choopulu released. Gautham pitched Malli Raava, but Vijay said no.

That decision changed the course of the film. Sumanth stepped in, and Malli Raava became a clean hit. Fans often say the film could’ve added another gem to Vijay’s early career. But for Sumanth, it became a defining moment.

Now, after nearly seven years, Vijay and Sumanth are finally teaming up. They’ll be seen together in Kingdom, which hits screens on July 31. The missed chance in 2017 is now turning into a full-circle moment.