# Prasanth Varma
**Prasanth Varma** (born 1989) is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema). He is known for genre-spanning films including *Awe!* (2018), *[Kalki](https://www.edgepedia.org/kalki-2019-telugu-film)* (2019), *Zombie Reddy* (2021), and *Hanu-Man* (2024), the last of which launched his shared superhero franchise, the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9514022/bio/) • [2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1989, Andhra Pradesh, India; full name Prasanth Varma Penmetsa[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9514022/bio/) • [3](https://tollywooddesk.com/person/prasanth-varma/) |
| Feature debut | *Awe!* (2018), produced by Nani, winner of the National Award for Best Special Effects[2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf) |
| Breakthrough | *Hanu-Man* (12 January 2024), a mythological superhero film starring Teja Sajja that launched the PVCU[4](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/prasanth-varma/filmography/director/) • [2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf) |
| National Award | *Hanu-Man* won the National Film Award for Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comic); producer Primeshow Entertainment Pvt Ltd[5](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/aug/doc202581598001.pdf) • [21](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2151537&lang=2®=48) |
| Current project | *Jai Hanuman*, the *Hanu-Man* sequel, with Rishab Shetty in the title role, produced by Mythri Movie Makers[6](https://www.telugu360.com/two-years-after-hanuman-what-is-prasanth-varma-doing/) |
| Writing credits | Story or screenplay for *Adbhutham* (2021), *Devaki Nandana Vasudeva* (2024), and the upcoming *Mahakali* and *Adhira*[7](https://filmibeat.com/celebs/prasanth-varma/upcoming-movies.html) |
## Early life and start in filmmaking
Varma was born in [Andhra Pradesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/andhra-pradesh) in 1989[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9514022/bio/). He studied at Sri Saraswathi Sisu Mandir in [Palakollu](https://www.edgepedia.org/palakollu), where an extra subject covering stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatham fed what one profile calls a lifelong love of mythology[3](https://tollywooddesk.com/person/prasanth-varma/). He came to filmmaking from an engineering background without attending film school and without assisting an established director[8](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/awe-is-a-genre-bender-says-director-prasanth-varma-5065541/lite/).
His early work was in shorts: *Deenamma Jeevitham* (2011) is listed as his directorial debut, followed by *A Silent Melody* (2014) and *Dialogue in the Dark* (2017)[9](https://www.valeorine.com/reference/prasanth-varma) • [2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf). He has described himself as a self-confessed movie freak who spends his birthdays at multiplexes watching at least four films in a day[8](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/awe-is-a-genre-bender-says-director-prasanth-varma-5065541/lite/).
## Feature films
**Awe! (2018).** Varma's first feature, an ensemble film with [Kajal Aggarwal](https://www.edgepedia.org/kajal-aggarwal), Nithya Menen, and [Regina Cassandra](https://www.edgepedia.org/regina-cassandra), was billed by the director himself as a genre-bender[8](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/awe-is-a-genre-bender-says-director-prasanth-varma-5065541/lite/). Produced by Nani, it won the National Award for Best Special Effects and brought him major recognition[2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf).
**Kalki (2019) and Zombie Reddy (2021).** *Kalki*, a science-fiction crime film starring Rajasekhar, followed in 2019[10](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9514022/). *Zombie Reddy* (2021) continued his run of varied genres[2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf). In the same period he worked as a writer on other directors' films: *Adbhutham* (2021, directed by Mallik Ram) and *Devaki Nandana Vasudeva* (2024, directed by Arjun Jandyala), whose story is credited to Varma[7](https://filmibeat.com/celebs/prasanth-varma/upcoming-movies.html). He also directed the [Tamannaah Bhatia](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamannaah-bhatia) film *That Is Mahalakshmi* (2022)[10](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9514022/).
**Hanu-Man (2024).** Released on 12 January 2024, *Hanu-Man* blended [Hindu mythology](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindu-mythology) with a modern superhero story and starred [Teja Sajja](https://www.edgepedia.org/teja-sajja)[4](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/prasanth-varma/filmography/director/) • [2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf). It competed with [Mahesh Babu](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahesh-babu)'s *Guntur Kaaram* during the Sankranthi season and outperformed it, and Telugu360 describes it as one of the biggest hits among small films in Telugu cinema[6](https://www.telugu360.com/two-years-after-hanuman-what-is-prasanth-varma-doing/). The film won the National Film Award for Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comic), with Primeshow Entertainment Pvt Ltd as producer and Jetty Venkat Kumar as animator and VFX supervisor[5](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/aug/doc202581598001.pdf) • [21](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2151537&lang=2®=48). Varma said he spent more time on this film than on all his previous films put together, to raise quality and meet audience expectations[11](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2023/epaper/april/hyderabad-english-edition-2023-04-18.pdf). After its release, the team met Home Minister Amit Shah in Hyderabad, who praised the film for highlighting India's spiritual traditions[12](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2024/epaper/march/hyderabad-english-edition-2024-03-14.pdf).
## The Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe
*Hanu-Man* launched the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), a planned slate of superhero films rooted in Indian mythology[2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf). Announced projects have included the direct sequel *Jai HanuMan*, *Adhira*, which marks the acting debut of Kalyan Dasari, and an untitled female superhero film[13](https://tracktollywood.com/prashanth-varma-the-next-rajamouli). In what the press called a move unprecedented in Telugu cinema, he extended an open invitation to talented individuals to join the PVCU[14](https://pynr.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/03-VJA-12-PAGES-PDF.compressed.pdf).
**Jai Hanuman.** Two years after *Hanu-Man*, Varma had not yet started his next project, with several announced films shelved or delayed, before the sequel finally took shape[6](https://www.telugu360.com/two-years-after-hanuman-what-is-prasanth-varma-doing/). *Jai Hanuman* will star the Kannada actor [Rishab Shetty](https://www.edgepedia.org/rishab-shetty) in the title role, with [Mythri Movie Makers](https://www.edgepedia.org/mythri-movie-makers) producing, shooting expected to begin in February, and a planned Sankranthi 2027 release; the technicians from *Hanu-Man* are expected to return[6](https://www.telugu360.com/two-years-after-hanuman-what-is-prasanth-varma-doing/). A report in October 2026 said Mamitha Baiju would make her Telugu debut in the film[15](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Prasanth-Varma/news).
## Disputes and shelved projects
Varma's habit of announcing many projects at once has produced friction. In 2024 a mythological project with Bollywood star [Ranveer Singh](https://www.edgepedia.org/ranveer-singh) was officially announced after Singh was impressed by *Hanu-Man*'s pan-Indian appeal[16](https://www.epaperpenpower.in/media/2025-12/pen-power_24.12.2025.pdf); the film was later shelved, and Varma attributed the split to creative differences while saying the two remain on good terms and hopeful for future collaboration[15](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Prasanth-Varma/news).
In 2025, producer K Niranjan Reddy of Primeshow Entertainment reportedly demanded 2 billion rupees (200 crore rupees) in compensation, complaining that Varma had agreed to collaborate on *Adhira*, *Mahakali*, *Jai Hanuman*, and *Brahma Rakshas* as part of the PVCU but failed to follow through[17](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-responds-as-producer-demands-rs-200-cr-compensation-for-not-delivering-multiple-films-10343369/lite/). Varma responded publicly to the demand[17](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-responds-as-producer-demands-rs-200-cr-compensation-for-not-delivering-multiple-films-10343369/lite/). Separately, DVV Entertainment refuted rumors that it had signed any deal with Varma or paid him advances[18](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Oct/31/dvv-entertainment-refutes-rumours-of-signing-any-deal-with-prasanth-varma).
## Style and reputation
Varma works across science fiction, crime, horror, and mythology, and is described as deliberately avoiding repetition in favor of fresh, high-concept narratives[2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf). He has named [Christopher Nolan](https://www.edgepedia.org/christopher-nolan) and [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao](https://www.edgepedia.org/singeetam-srinivasa-rao) as influences and is noted for delivering culturally rooted, VFX-driven films on constrained budgets[2](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf). In interviews he has described his own process as a very "disorganised" way of filmmaking[19](https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-followed-a-very-disorganised-way-of-filmmaking). He has said he would quit filmmaking for his first love, writing stories, and continues to write for other directors, including the upcoming *Mahakali* (directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru) and *Adhira* (directed by Sharan Koppishetty)[20](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-would-quit-filmmaking-for-his-first-love-2636409-2024-11-20) • [7](https://filmibeat.com/celebs/prasanth-varma/upcoming-movies.html).
## References
1. [Prasanth Varma Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9514022/bio/)
2. [Special Guest: Prasanth Varma, 3rd I-Film Festival UAE Brochure (2026)](https://ifilmfestivaluae.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3rd-IFF-Brochure-24.03.2026.pdf)
3. [Prasanth Varma Movies List, Tollywood Desk](https://tollywooddesk.com/person/prasanth-varma/)
4. [Prasanth Varma Filmography, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/prasanth-varma/filmography/director/)
5. [National Film Awards document, Press Information Bureau](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/aug/doc202581598001.pdf)
6. [Two years after Hanuman, what is Prasanth Varma Doing?, Telugu360](https://www.telugu360.com/two-years-after-hanuman-what-is-prasanth-varma-doing/)
7. [Prasanth Varma Upcoming Movies, FilmiBeat](https://filmibeat.com/celebs/prasanth-varma/upcoming-movies.html)
8. [Awe is a genre-bender, says director Prasanth Varma, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/awe-is-a-genre-bender-says-director-prasanth-varma-5065541/lite/)
9. [Prasanth Varma, VALÉORINE Encyclopedia](https://www.valeorine.com/reference/prasanth-varma)
10. [Prasanth Varma, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9514022/)
11. [The Pioneer, Hyderabad edition, 18 April 2023](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2023/epaper/april/hyderabad-english-edition-2023-04-18.pdf)
12. [The Pioneer, Hyderabad edition, 14 March 2024](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2024/epaper/march/hyderabad-english-edition-2024-03-14.pdf)
13. [Prashanth Varma: The Next Rajamouli?, TrackTollywood](https://tracktollywood.com/prashanth-varma-the-next-rajamouli)
14. [The Pioneer, Vijayawada edition, May 2024](https://pynr.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/03-VJA-12-PAGES-PDF.compressed.pdf)
15. [Prasanth Varma News, Times of India Entertainment](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Prasanth-Varma/news)
16. [Pen Power e-paper, 24 December 2025](https://www.epaperpenpower.in/media/2025-12/pen-power_24.12.2025.pdf)
17. [HanuMan director Prasanth Varma responds as producer demands Rs 200 cr compensation, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-responds-as-producer-demands-rs-200-cr-compensation-for-not-delivering-multiple-films-10343369/lite/)
18. [DVV Entertainment refutes rumours of signing any deal with Prasanth Varma, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Oct/31/dvv-entertainment-refutes-rumours-of-signing-any-deal-with-prasanth-varma)
19. [HanuMan Director Prasanth Varma Says He Followed A Very 'Disorganised' Way Of Filmmaking, Republic World](https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-followed-a-very-disorganised-way-of-filmmaking)
20. [HanuMan director Prasanth Varma says he would quit filmmaking for his first love, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-would-quit-filmmaking-for-his-first-love-2636409-2024-11-20)
21. [71st National Film Awards for the year 2023 announced](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2151537&lang=2®=48)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Directors, producers, and screenwriters › Indian and South Asian film directors › Telugu cinema directors*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 20, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 20, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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