Vijay Deverakonda could be taking on one of the most unusual roles of his career if the latest industry report turns out to be true. The Arjun Reddy star is reportedly set to play Lord Krishna in the Telugu remake of Gujarati blockbuster Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate, a film that became a remarkable sleeper hit despite having no major star attached to it. The project is said to be backed by producer Dil Raju, although neither the casting nor the remake has been officially announced yet.
The report comes at an interesting point in Vijay’s career. The actor is currently preparing for Raanabali, his upcoming film with Rashmika Mandanna, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026. If he does step into the role of Krishna, the project could give him a very different screen persona from the action-heavy and intense characters audiences have seen him play in recent years.
Vijay Deverakonda in Laalo remake?
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama cited in the supplied source, Dil Raju has acquired the Telugu remake rights to Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate. Ram Charan had previously been discussed in connection with the project, but the latest report says that he is not part of the remake and that Vijay Deverakonda has instead been chosen to play Lord Krishna.
A source quoted in the report said, “It’s indeed true that Laalo’s Telugu remake is in the works. But Ram Charan is not a part of it. It’s Vijay Deverakonda who has bagged the much-sought-after role of Lord Krishna.” The same source also claimed that Vipul D Shah of Optimystix played a role in helping Dil Raju finalise the deal.
There is, however, an important caveat. An official announcement from the makers confirming Vijay’s casting has not been made, so the actor’s involvement should currently be treated as a reported development rather than a confirmed project. The same applies to other details surrounding the remake, including its eventual production schedule and release plans.
If the casting does become official, Vijay playing Krishna would instantly become one of the project’s biggest talking points. The actor has built a strong following through roles that lean toward youthful intensity, romance and action, while the Krishna character would demand a different combination of restraint, spirituality and screen presence.
Why Laalo became a sleeper hit
The original Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate has its own fascinating box-office story, which may explain why the remake has attracted interest. Directed by Ankit Sakhiya, the Gujarati film stars Karan Joshi and Shruhad Goswami in key roles, with Goswami portraying Lord Krishna. It was released on October 10, 2025, during a relatively quiet pre-Diwali period and initially appeared unlikely to become a major theatrical success.
The film earned only around ₹36 lakh in its first week and approximately ₹28 lakh in its second week, according to the figures in the supplied report. Things began changing in the third week when its collection rose to around ₹70 lakh. Then came the dramatic fourth-week jump, when Laalo reportedly collected approximately ₹14 crore and transformed its theatrical prospects almost overnight.
That turnaround is what makes the property particularly interesting. Instead of depending on a star-driven opening, the film gradually found its audience and continued expanding after its initial weeks. It ultimately crossed the ₹100 crore mark, becoming the highest-grossing Gujarati film according to the source material.
The film’s story is also rooted in devotion and faith, centering on the relationship between its characters and Lord Krishna. That combination of a spiritual theme and strong audience word-of-mouth helped Laalo break away from the conventional expectations surrounding a regional film with a small cast and limited initial attention.
Dil Raju sees potential in Telugu audience
The decision to remake Laalo in Telugu also reflects how successful regional stories can attract attention beyond their original market. A film does not necessarily need a huge initial campaign to become a valuable remake property if its underlying concept has demonstrated strong audience appeal. In this case, Laalo’s extraordinary theatrical growth gives the Telugu version an established proof of concept.
Dil Raju is among the major producers associated with Telugu cinema, and his reported involvement adds another layer of interest to the project. The producer has previously backed films across different genres and has frequently worked with prominent Telugu stars. Bringing a performer of Vijay Deverakonda’s profile into a remake of a Gujarati sleeper hit could therefore significantly increase the scale and reach of the original concept.
The reported casting could also create a notable contrast between the two versions. Shruhad Goswami played Krishna in Ankit Sakhiya’s Gujarati film, while Vijay would bring a much more established pan-India profile to the Telugu adaptation if the report is confirmed. That does not necessarily mean the remake will follow the original frame by frame, as the filmmakers could adapt elements of the story and presentation for Telugu-speaking audiences.
There is also a curious connection with another recent sleeper success. Hanuman Ansh, another devotional film with a modest production budget and no conventional superstar at the center, has followed a similarly unusual theatrical trajectory in 2026. After opening quietly, it gradually gained momentum and crossed ₹50 crore, showing again that devotional subjects can find a much wider theatrical audience when viewers connect with the material.
Vijay Deverakonda’s Reported Krishna Role: Q&A
Is Vijay Deverakonda confirmed to play Lord Krishna?
Not officially at this stage. The supplied report says Vijay has bagged the role, but an official announcement from the actor, producer or makers has not yet been mentioned.
Which film is being remade in Telugu?
The project is reportedly the Telugu remake of the Gujarati film Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate. The original was directed by Ankit Sakhiya and became a major sleeper hit.
Who will Vijay Deverakonda play?
According to the report, Vijay will portray Lord Krishna in the Telugu adaptation. This would mark a notably different kind of role for the actor.
Was Ram Charan originally considered for the remake?
Yes. The supplied report says Ram Charan had earlier been discussed for the project, but the latest source specifically states that he is not part of the remake.
Who has acquired the Telugu remake rights?
Producer Dil Raju is reported to have acquired the Telugu remake rights. The report also credits Vipul D Shah of Optimystix with helping finalise the deal.
How successful was the original Laalo film?
The Gujarati original began with very modest collections but gained momentum several weeks after release. It eventually crossed ₹100 crore and is described in the supplied material as the highest-grossing film in the Gujarati industry.
For now, Vijay Deverakonda’s reported Krishna casting remains a development to watch rather than an officially confirmed announcement. But if the deal is eventually made public, the remake could attract considerable attention because it combines one of Telugu cinema’s biggest contemporary stars with a regional sleeper hit whose theatrical journey was anything but ordinary. The bigger question will be whether the Telugu adaptation can preserve the emotional and devotional appeal that helped the original Laalo find its audience.
