Budget Trouble Hits Mega 158: Star Hero Cameo Dropped?

The Telugu film industry is going through a difficult financial phase and the pressure is now clearly visible in big star projects as well. A recent discussion around a film starring Chiranjeevi has once again highlighted how tight budgets have become for producers.

Chiranjeevi’s upcoming film tentatively titled Mega 158 is being directed by Bobby Kolli and produced by KVN Productions. The makers had planned something special for this project. They wanted a powerful cameo by a legendary star.

For this special appearance, the team reportedly approached Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. Since both senior actors share mutual respect and have never worked together before, the makers believed Mohanlal might agree to do the role as a goodwill gesture, possibly without charging a fee. However, things did not go as expected.

According to reports, Mohanlal is said to have quoted a remuneration of nearly Rs. 30 crore for the cameo. This amount came as a major shock to the producers. Paying such a huge sum for a short appearance was simply not possible under the current budget conditions. As a result, the idea of casting Mohanlal was dropped, and the team started looking at other options. They are now considering a Telugu star who might be willing to appear without charging a fee.

This situation clearly shows the reality of today’s film business. Telugu producers are struggling to manage rising costs, poor theatrical recoveries, and reduced earnings from OTT and satellite deals. Even paying Rs. 30 crore for a full-length hero has become difficult, so a cameo at that price is unthinkable.

What once depended on friendships and goodwill is now decided purely by financial feasibility. The Mega 158 episode is a strong reminder that even the biggest names are not immune to the ongoing budget crunch in the industry.