Bhoomi Shetty Cast as Mahakali in Puja Kolluru’s Entry to the Prasanth Varma Universe

Post by : Mina Rahman

Actress Bhoomi Shetty has been announced as the lead for Mahakali, directed by Puja Kolluru. The film is positioned as a major addition to the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), which expanded after the box-office presence of HanuMan.

The production released a first-look of Shetty in the titular avatar, presenting a bold visual that has stirred considerable interest among followers of the PVCU franchise.

A Rising Star from Coastal Karnataka

Hailing from Kundapura, Karnataka, Bhoomi Shetty is the daughter of Bhaskar and Baby Shetty. She speaks Kannada and Tulu and has formal training in Yakshagana, the traditional theatrical art of the region.

She first gained recognition on Kannada television as Mani in the serial Kinnari, before moving to Telugu TV where she played Mrudula in Ninne Pelladatha on Zee Telugu.

In 2019, Bhoomi appeared on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 7, where her calm but assertive presence saw her finish as the fourth runner-up.

Transition to Feature Films

Bhoomi made her Kannada film debut with Ikkat (2021), a comedy co-starring Nagabhushana, which is available on Amazon Prime Video. She later featured briefly in the Telugu serial Attarintlo Akka Chellelu and moved into Telugu cinema with Sharathulu Varthisthai opposite Chaitanya Rao Madadi, earning praise for her emotional range despite mixed reviews for the film.

Most recently, she portrayed Gauri—the spouse of Satyadev’s character—in Kingdom, directed by Gautam Tinnanuri and headlined by Vijay Deverakonda, adding subtle depth to the film’s dramatic material.

Mahakali: Expanding the PVCU

Mahakali is intended to broaden Prasanth Varma’s exploration of mythic themes through contemporary filmmaking. Puja Kolluru directs from a story credited to Prasanth Varma and Vinay Kumar Vakkapatla, with the script reportedly focusing on the divine feminine, transformation, and high-concept action.

The project also brings Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna into the PVCU in a significant role, underscoring the production’s ambition and cross-industry casting strategy.

Implications and Outlook

For Bhoomi Shetty, Mahakali represents a high-profile, potentially career-defining part that highlights a powerful mythological figure. For the PVCU, the film seeks to consolidate its reputation for fusing Indian mythology with large-scale genre filmmaking and may further establish the franchise’s narrative and commercial reach.