Manchu Manoj Joins Balakrishna’s Dada as a Ruthless Cop in Gopichand Malineni’s Action Drama

Manchu Manoj is set to deliver a new dimension to his acting career by portraying a ruthless cop in the upcoming Telugu film Dada, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna. The film, directed by Gopichand Malineni and produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru, is scheduled for theatrical release on December 24, 2026. Manoj’s casting as the antagonist marks only the second time he has taken on a full-fledged negative role, following his earlier turn in Mirai.

Director Gopichand Malineni shared insights into Manoj’s role, stating, “We have roped in Manchu Manoj for a negative role in the film. His appearance will be quite striking, unlike what audiences saw him till date. When I approached him, he was really excited to get this opportunity opposite Balakrishna and his portions of shoot are already underway. We all know how much importance or visibility is given to villains opposite Balakrishna garu, and Manoj will bring a lot of darkness and ruthless needed for the film.”

Dada brings Balakrishna and Malineni together once again after their successful collaboration on Veera Simha Reddy, a pairing that has generated significant anticipation among Telugu cinema fans. The recent release of the film’s title glimpse video sparked considerable buzz on social media, with audiences eager to see Manoj’s transformation and Balakrishna’s return to action-driven storytelling.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Balakrishna and Malineni were teaming up for a project then titled NBK111, following the success of their previous venture. With Dada, the team appears to be raising expectations by introducing Manoj in a role that promises to challenge both the hero and the audience’s perceptions.