Shaakuntalam

In 2017, director Gunasekhar announced a magnum opus Hiranya Kashyapa with Rana Daggubati as the lead. The film was based on the famous mythological tale of the Asura, Hiranyakashipu. In October 2020, the director announced that the pre-production of Hiranya Kashyapa was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the shooting process of the film will not start in the near future.[17] Later in November, Gunasekher announced the film based on Kalidasa's 4th century play Shakuntala which tells the story of the legendary princess Shakuntala and king Dushyanta.[18]

The cast and crew of Shaakuntalam at the film's launch during March 2021 at Annapurna Studios. The cast and crew being Dil Raju, Hanshitha Reddy, Mani Sharma, Dev Mohan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Allu Aravind, Neelima Guna and Gunasekhar (l-r)

Soon after the announcement, reports suggested that the makers have approached actress Anushka Shetty for the lead role of Shakuntala after the collaboration of the actress and director Gunasekhar in the 2015 historical drama, Rudhramadevi which did not materialize.[19] During December 2020, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu was confirmed to be cast as the lead actress to portray Shakuntala.[2]

Later in the year, Malayalam actor Dev Mohan and Telugu actress Eesha Rebba were approached for the film,[20] with Mohan reportedly playing Dushyant and Eesha Rebba supposed character unknown. In March 2021, media mentioned that Rebba has walked out of the project due to several reason.[3] In March 2021, Samantha has taken her social media to announce that Dev Mohan is officially a part of the project as Dushyant.[21] Veteran actor Mohan Babu was also cast in the film.[4][22] He was reportedly playing the hot-tempered Durvasa Maharishi and Aditi Balan was replacing Rebba in the film.[23]

Reports came around that the director will be approaching Jr NTR's son Abhay Ram or Allu Arjun's son Allu Ayaan to feature in as Shakuntala's son Bharata,[24] but Allu Arjun's daughter Allu Arha is having her maiden debut in this production as said character.[25] Actress Varshini Sounderajan confirmed of being a part in the film through an interview with Deccan Chronicle[14] and actress Madhoo said about the inclusion of the cast through a tweet.[7]

The film is set in the Northern of India in the backdrop of Hastinapur, parts of Kashmir and the banks of Himalaya. Makers have signed art director Ashok Kolarath to handle the set.[26] The team has also hired National Awardee fashion designer Neeta Lulla who has also worked with Gunasekhar in Rudhramadevi.[27] The pooja and the principal photography of Shaakuntalam was kickstarted on March 15 at Annapurna Studios.[28] It was revealed that Sekhar V. Joseph and Bishwadeep Chatterjee was also signed in for the project to handle the cinematography and sound design for the film respectively.[29]

The first schedule of filming was started on late March with Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dev Mohan and Aditi Balan at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad.[30][31] But due to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India, the shooting was halted towards the end of June. During an interview, Gunasekhar has stated that almost 50% of filming has been completed on late June.[32] The shooting will be recommenced during the end of June back at Annapurna Studios, then later in Ramoji Film City.[33] Reportedly, Samantha Ruth Prabhu joined the second schedule of filming along with Dev Mohan and Aditi Balan.[34] Several scenes were shot in Ananthagiri Hills and Vikarabad Forests with actor Dev Mohan. Several scenes were shot in Gandipet Lake in July 2021.[35] The filming was finished on the last week of August 2021 at Annapurna Studios.[36]

The visual and graphics department is handled by industry professional Alagarsamy Maayan, with talents from Canada, Hong Kong and China working on the VFX to get the visualisation right. Director Gunasekhar has confirmed that the post production might be longer than 10 months, considering the vision of the director to be met.[37]