Rashmika Mandanna’s recovery from a serious hip injury is now affecting the schedule of one of Indian cinema’s biggest upcoming productions. The actress’ portions in Allu Arjun and Atlee’s Raaka have been pushed back by nearly 45 days after she suffered a tendon detachment in her right hip while filming a dance sequence for Mysaa. The production is now expected to resume her portions only after she is medically cleared to return.
According to a source from the film, director Atlee has chosen not to rush Mandanna back onto the set because her work in Raaka involves physically demanding portions. “Rashmika’s health is the priority,” the source said, adding that the team has been instructed to remain supportive while she completes her recovery. The actress could potentially return to filming toward the end of September or during the first week of October, depending on her recovery.
Mandanna herself previously confirmed the seriousness of the injury, revealing that one of the tendons on the right side of her hip had completely detached during the Mysaa shoot. She was advised to take six weeks of rest and undergo a structured rehabilitation programme before returning to professional commitments.
Why Raaka Is Being Pushed Back
The delay is particularly significant because Raaka is being mounted on an unusually large scale, with Mandanna sharing the screen with Allu Arjun in their second major collaboration after the Pushpa films. Atlee is directing the project after Jawan, while Sun Pictures is producing the film. Reports have placed the production budget at around ₹700 crore, although the makers have not officially confirmed that figure.
With a production of this size, schedules are usually built around multiple actors, locations, action blocks and technical requirements. That makes Mandanna’s absence more complicated than simply moving a few individual scenes to a later date. If her portions are connected to major action or ensemble sequences, waiting for her recovery can be the more practical option than attempting to rearrange an entire block of production.
Atlee’s decision also signals that the filmmakers are taking the physical demands of Mandanna’s role seriously. Rather than asking her to return while she is still recovering, the team appears prepared to absorb the scheduling impact and wait until she is fit enough to perform the required material. For a film attempting to operate on this scale, protecting the lead performer’s recovery may ultimately be less disruptive than risking another setback.
Mandanna’s injury has already forced her to step away from several professional commitments. She described it as her third injury in a row and acknowledged that she needed to rethink how she treated her body after pushing herself through demanding work.
Allu Arjun’s Big-Screen Reunion With Rashmika
The delay comes at an interesting stage for Raaka, which has generated considerable attention because of its cast and ambitious production design. Allu Arjun and Mandanna are reuniting after their hugely successful Pushpa franchise, but this project puts them inside a completely different cinematic world under Atlee’s direction.
Deepika Padukone is also part of the ensemble, while reports have linked Mrunal Thakur and Janhvi Kapoor to prominent roles. The project was previously known by its working title AA22xA6 before the Raaka title and first look were unveiled earlier this year.
The film is expected to be much more than a conventional star-driven action movie. Reports have described a large-scale fantasy or science-fiction setting, while speculation around Allu Arjun’s characters has added another layer of curiosity around the story. Because the filmmakers have revealed relatively little about the plot, the eventual first major footage will likely determine just how far Atlee is taking the concept.
For Mandanna, Raaka is also another major project in an already packed period of her career. Her other upcoming film Ranabaali reunites her with Vijay Deverakonda and is directed by Rahul Sankrityan, while Mysaa places her in a story connected to the Gond tribal community under debutant director Rawindra Pulle.
Recovery Comes Before The Cameras
The immediate priority for Mandanna is getting back to full fitness rather than meeting a previously planned production date. Reports following her injury said doctors had advised six weeks of complete rest, and her own comments made clear that the recovery has forced her to slow down after a particularly intense period of work.
That makes the reported September-end or early-October window for Raaka only a potential target rather than a guaranteed return date. A tendon injury can require rehabilitation beyond the initial rest period, particularly when an actor’s job involves dancing, action choreography and repeated physical movements. The final decision will therefore depend on her medical recovery and whether she can safely handle the demands of her scenes.
For Raaka, the 45-day shift is inconvenient but unlikely to change the film’s larger ambition. A project of this scale has to accommodate unexpected production challenges, and Mandanna’s health is one factor that the team cannot afford to treat as a race against the calendar.
The bigger question now is how the delay will affect the film’s overall shooting plan. If Mandanna returns around the targeted window, the production can potentially absorb the postponed portions within its broader schedule. For now, however, the message from the team is straightforward: Raaka can wait, but Rashmika Mandanna’s recovery comes first.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Raaka Delay: 6 Questions
Why has Rashmika Mandanna’s Raaka schedule been delayed?
Mandanna suffered a tendon detachment in her right hip while filming a dance sequence for Mysaa. Her recovery has prevented her from returning to physically demanding film shoots, affecting her portions in Raaka.
How long has the Raaka shoot reportedly been pushed?
The schedule has reportedly been delayed by nearly 45 days. Her portions are expected to resume once she is considered fit to return.
When could Rashmika return to the Raaka set?
The current expectation is that she could resume filming toward the end of September or in the first week of October. That timeline remains dependent on her recovery and medical clearance.
What happened to Rashmika Mandanna during the Mysaa shoot?
Mandanna confirmed that one of the tendons on the right side of her hip completely detached during a dance sequence. She was subsequently advised to rest and follow a structured rehabilitation programme.
Who stars in Atlee’s Raaka?
Allu Arjun leads the film, with Rashmika Mandanna and Deepika Padukone among the prominent cast members. Reports have also linked Mrunal Thakur and Janhvi Kapoor to the project.
How much does Raaka reportedly cost?
Industry reports have placed the film’s budget at around ₹700 crore, although that figure has not been officially confirmed by the makers.
