Director: K. S. Ravindra
Producer: Pawan Kalyan, Sharrath Marar, Sunil Lulla
Story: Pawan Kalyan
Star: Pawan Kalyan, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharad Kelkar
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Genre: Action
Release date: 8 April 2016
Country: India
Language: Telugu
Story: Sardaar Gabbar Singh is an upcoming Telugu action film directed by K. S. Ravindra. Produced by Pawan Kalyan and Sharath Marar jointly under their banners Pawan Kalyan Creative Works and Northstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. in association with Eros International, the film is the sequel of the 2012 Telugu film Gabbar Singh. Besides penning the film's story and screenplay, Kalyan plays the protagonist of the film. Kajal Aggarwal plays the female lead and Sharad Kelkar plays the antagonist, marking his Telugu debut. Devi Sri Prasad composed the score and Arthur A. Wilson was its cinematographer. Initially titled Gabbar Singh 2, the film's production began on 21 February 2014 in Hyderabad with Sampath Nandi directing the film. He was later replaced by Ravindra after which the principal photography began on 29 May 2015 at Malshej Ghat in Maharashtra. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on 8 April 2016. Kalyan sported a long hair and thick beard for a few important sequences in the film and a clean shaven look for the rest of the film. The makers considered to sign a new actress after considering Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Pranitha Subhash and Anushka Sharma for the same. Shruti Haasan and Asin were approached to play the female lead in the film. Navneet Kaur Dhillon was reported to be signed as the female lead in late May 2014. Akshara Haasan was approached for the same later who declined the offer gently saying that it would raise expectations on her next films and so responsibilities. Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha, Parineeti Chopra and Katrina Kaif were approached for the female lead role who turned down the offer citing unavailability of bulk dates. Anisha Ambrose, who made a cameo appearance in Gopala Gopala, was chosen by Kalyan as the female lead. Ambrose was trained in the nuances of acting, perfecting dancing and several other aspects in the workshop sessions conducted by Ravindra in April 2015 before joining the film's sets. She was dropped after two days and both Rakul Preet Singh and Rashi Khanna refused to replace her due to their existing commitments. During the shoot of the first schedule, the makers saw Sharad Kelkar's performance in a soap opera and approached him to play the antagonist. Kelkar's inclusion in the cast was confirmed in June 2015. Charandeep, known for his work in the films Jilla (2014) and Pataas (2015), was signed as one of the antagonists in the film. Kajal Aggarwal, who initially declined to be a part of the film two years ago due to scheduling conflicts, was approached again in August 2015 for the female lead role. She met the film's unit and gave her consent, marking her first collaboration with Kalyan. Kabir Duhan Singh confirmed his inclusion in the film's cast after completing a schedule and said that he would be seen as the one who handles all the activities of Kelkar in the film. During the scripting stage, there was a shorter role for a second, parallel female lead which was developed by the creative team on par with the first female lead after the shooting began. A source from the film's unit called it a "very energetic and active character". Trisha Krishnan was approached for the same in mid April 2015. Raai Laxmi's inclusion in the film's cast was confirmed on 2 September 2015. She was reported to play a crucial role in the film and to be appeared in a special song along with Kalyan. Speaking about her role, Laxmi said that her role is a crucial one and shall stay till the end of the film, adding that it "starts off as something in the beginning, it transitions into something else altogether as the movie unfolds". Sanjjanaa was signed to play the role of a Gujarati princess in the film who subserviently follows her husband. She called it an important character with a "traditional and royal persona", adding that it is not "one of those blink-and-miss roles" and will be seen right from the start to the end. The film's unit revealed that her wardrobe consists largely of nine-yard sarees and heavy jewellery.
