Movies
Dil Raju’s Risky Bollywood Comeback with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar
Dil Raju takes a big gamble in Bollywood with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, adopting a profit-sharing model to offset past failures and financial risks.
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Dumtika Editorial
March 27, 2026 · 1 min read
(Image: Dumtika Editorial)
Dil Raju, the prominent Telugu producer, is gearing up for what might be his riskiest venture yet in Bollywood. Known for his success in Telugu cinema, his earlier Hindi remakes of Jersey and HIT failed to impress at the box office, casting doubts on his ability to replicate his magic in Hindi. Now, he is making a bold return with two high-profile projects involving Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.
The first film, directed by Vamshi Paidipally and starring Salman Khan, is scheduled for an official announcement this April with shooting to begin soon. Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is set to headline the remake of Sankranthiki Vastunnam, under the direction of Anees Bazmee. Both superstars have agreed to work on a profit-sharing model—a strategy Dil Raju championed to mitigate financial pressure amid the declining value of non-theatrical rights.
Dil Raju’s approach includes locking in digital streaming deals well in advance and expediting production schedules to reduce risk. Despite these precautions, the stakes remain high, especially given the lukewarm responses to his earlier Bollywood efforts. As per insiders, the success of these ventures is crucial for Dil Raju’s sustained presence in Hindi cinema. Fans and industry watchers remain cautious but hopeful that these calculated gambles will pay off, potentially opening doors for more cross-industry productions in the future.
