Superstar Mahesh Babu’s movie Khaleja, directed by Trivikram Srinivas, was initially a box-office disappointment in 2010. However, over the years, it gained cult status among movie lovers. Many fans now consider it a classic, appreciating its unique concept and dialogues.
Recently, filmmaker Chandoo Mondeti revealed that Khaleja was a major inspiration behind his successful Karthikeya franchise. In an interview, he shared that he had rewatched Khaleja on OTT just two days ago and has seen it multiple times before. He emphasized that praising Trivikram or Mahesh Babu for the film’s brilliance was unnecessary, as their work speaks for itself.
Parallels Between ‘Khaleja’ and ‘Karthikeya’
Chandoo Mondeti pointed out several similarities between the two films:
In Khaleja, there is a prophecy about the hero, similar to Karthikeya.
In Khaleja, the hero’s arrival brings disaster; in Karthikeya, it leads to positive events.
Both movies feature the hero unexpectedly arriving in a mysterious village.
A medical camp plays a key role in both films.
The line “God exists in human form”, spoken by Mahesh Babu in Khaleja, became the core theme of Karthikeya 2.
Chandoo shared an interesting anecdote about his wife’s reaction after watching Khaleja. She jokingly called him a “thief” and asked if he had copied the film. However, he clarified that while he drew inspiration, he did not copy any scenes. Instead, the soul and essence of Khaleja shaped his vision for Karthikeya.
Chandoo Mondeti’s Success and Upcoming Projects
Chandoo recently delivered a blockbuster with Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. The romantic action drama grossed over Rs. 100 crores worldwide. His next projects include a film with Tamil superstar Suriya and Karthikeya 3.
Speaking about the Suriya project, Chandoo said, “It will be a larger-than-life story. I am in constant touch with Suriya Garu. Expect something massive from this project.” He added that only a powerful performer like Suriya could elevate the film’s narrative. Meanwhile, Suriya is currently busy with his films Retro and one with RJ Balaji, along with upcoming projects by Venky Atluri and Vetrimaaran.
Chandoo Mondeti’s acknowledgment of Khaleja as the foundation for his Karthikeya franchise has gone viral on social media, reigniting discussions about Mahesh Babu and Trivikram’s underrated masterpiece.
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