Chiranjeevi Missed Out on Basha Blockbuster Due to Allu Aravind’s Negotiations

Chiranjeevi nearly headlined the blockbuster film Basha, but the opportunity slipped away owing to negotiations led by Allu Aravind. The 1995 film ultimately became a massive success for Rajinikanth, adding another milestone to the superstar’s illustrious career.

Back in 1994, Chiranjeevi was riding high after the success of films like Gang Leader, directed by Bapineedu. During this period, director Suresh Krishna approached Chiranjeevi with the Basha storyline while both Chiranjeevi’s "Big Boss" and Rajinikanth’s "Basha" were being shot simultaneously at the same studio. According to the source, Allu Aravind was present during the narration and was deeply impressed by the script.

Talks began for the remake rights, with producers initially demanding ₹40 crore. Allu Aravind, keen on securing the project, reportedly tried to negotiate the price down to ₹25 crore. However, the deal fell through because of a ₹15 crore difference, as per reports. The film then went ahead with Rajinikanth, starring Nagma and Raghuvaran, and under Suresh Krishna’s direction, Basha became a sensation in both Tamil and Telugu markets.

This behind-the-scenes revelation has sparked renewed discussion among fans about what might have been if Chiranjeevi had led Basha. Even years later, the missed collaboration continues to fascinate movie lovers. Chiranjeevi remains a central figure in Telugu cinema, and fans eagerly await his next big announcement.