Pooja Hegde Out of Dhanush’s D54, Mamitha Baiju Steps In As New Heroine

South Indian star Pooja Hegde faces another major career setback. The makers of actor Dhanush’s upcoming film D54, directed by Por Thozhil fame Vignesh Raja, have removed her from the lead role. In a surprising move, the team signed rising Malayalam actress Mamitha Baiju as the new female lead. This decision highlights how quickly the film industry responds to recent hits and flops.

Dhanush’s D54 Begins With a Fiery Poster

Dhanush has officially started shooting for his new Tamil film, tentatively titled D54, with Vignesh Raja at the helm. The makers launched the project today by releasing a striking poster that created instant buzz. In the poster, Dhanush stands in a burnt cotton field with flames rising around him. His serious look and the fiery background suggest a dark, emotional, action-packed drama.

Dhanush shared the poster on his official social media and wrote, “Sometimes staying dangerous is the only way to stay alive.” This caption hints at a story where survival demands tough and morally grey choices. Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh produces the film under Vels Film International, in association with Think Studios.

Mamitha Baiju Grabs the Role, Pooja Hegde Misses Out

The team initially planned to cast Pooja Hegde opposite Dhanush. However, her recent string of flops, Radhe Shyam, Beast, Acharya, Circus, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, and Retro, has affected her demand in the industry. In Retro, she took a risk by playing a stripped-down character, but it didn’t impress the audience.

This decline in success forced the makers to look for a fresh face. They chose Mamitha Baiju, who gained popularity after her Malayalam hit Premalu. She has already started working with top Tamil stars like Vijay and Suriya. Now, bagging this role alongside Dhanush will boost her profile even further in Tamil cinema.

Pooja Stays in the Race, But Momentum Favors Mamitha

Even though she lost this film, Pooja Hegde continues to work on big projects with Rajinikanth, Vijay, and Raghava Lawrence. However, missing out on D54 shows how quickly the film world shifts focus. Mamitha, on the other hand, gains a golden chance to rise to the next level. For Pooja, one strong role could still flip the script and bring her back to the top.

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.