Mumbai: Casting chatter around Maddock Films’ ambitious mythological drama Mahavatar has taken a new turn after Deepika Padukone was seen near the studio offices in Mumbai late last week. According to industry sources, Deepika has been approached by Maddock in search of a female lead who can add emotional depth and screen power opposite Vicky Kaushal. It is reported that negotiations are still in the initial phases and no deal has been announced.
Why Deepika Padukone fits, say insiders
A production insider told reporters that the team is searching for an actor who can carry gravitas and complex emotion in a role written to stand alongside the immortal warrior Parashurama. It has been reported that the director Amar Kaushik insists on having a strong arc and equal narrative presence of the heroine, not a decorative presence. That requirement has put Deepika Padukone near the top of the wish list because of her proven ability to deliver layered performances.
Mahavatar remains a high stake mythological epic
Mahavatar was announced in November 2024 as a major leap for Maddock Films into the mythological space. The movie is the story of Chiranjeevi warrior Parashurama and Vicky Kaushal plays the lead role in this film. The project is being directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan, and is being talked about as a visually intense, large scale epic that will begin production in late 2025 ahead of a holiday season release in 2026.
Amar Kaushik wanted Vicky for a very specific reason
Amar Kaushik has explained in interviews why he chose Vicky Kaushal for Parashurama. He said he wanted one who could be pure and angry at the same time one with in depth eyes and a presence that is full of spirituality. That casting logic underlines why the director is being careful about the film’s other major choices, including the female lead.
What the female lead’s role looks like on paper
While Mahavatar’s story is rooted in the Parashurama legend, insiders say the female character is far from marginal. She is written with a clearly defined character arc and emotional stakes that will affect the hero’s journey. Maddock and the director are seeking someone who can not only keep up with the physicality but also the inner life, someone who can perform in mass action with equal strength and also with equal strength carry intimate scenes. Deepika Padukone’s name has surfaced precisely because she has previously shown that range.
Where talks stand and what to expect next
According to reports, conversations are preliminary. Deepika Padukone has been one of the main names that the studio has been involved with but neither the actor nor the studio has made any confirmation. Assuming the deal proceeds, it will be Deepika’s first appearance opposite Vicky Kaushal and a major collaboration between two of Bollywood’s most prominent performers in a director driven, effects heavy scale film.
Makers are expected to finalise casting decisions well before principal photography begins. Watch for an official announcement from Maddock Films once terms are settled.
If Deepika signs on, Mahavatar would gain a marquee female presence that boosts both scale and commercial reach. In the case of Maddock, the high profile actress paired with Vicky Kaushal serves to bring the film not only as a mythological spectacle but as a contemporary, character driven epic in which the hero and heroine can share the story meaningfully.
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