Mega158: Vijay Karthik Kannan named DOP for Chiranjeevi-Bobby Kolli film
Synopsis
Chiranjeevi's much-anticipated #Mega158 added a key creative piece on 19 May — cinematographer Vijay Karthik Kannan, fresh off 'Jailer' and 'Daaku Maharaj', is on board as DOP. With the film officially launching on 21 May and Chiranjeevi already deep in gym prep, the Bobby Kolli-directed project is shaping up as one of Tollywood's most-watched productions of the year.
Key Takeaways
Vijay Karthik Kannan confirmed as Director of Photography for #Mega158 on 19 May , his birthday.
Kannan is known for films including 'Jailer' , 'Daaku Maharaj' , and the upcoming 'Jailer 2' .
Chiranjeevi shared a gym workout video on X , signalling intense physical prep for his role.
The film is directed by Bobby Kolli and produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions .
Formal shoot launch is scheduled for 21 May in Hyderabad ; this is the second collaboration between Chiranjeevi and Bobby Kolli after 'Waltair Veerayya' .
Cinematographer Vijay Karthik Kannan has been officially named the Director of Photography for #Mega158, the upcoming action entertainer featuring Megastar Chiranjeevi in the lead, directed by Bobby Kolli. The announcement was made on 19 May, coinciding with Vijay Karthik Kannan's birthday, as the production gears up for its formal launch on 21 May in Hyderabad.
About the Cinematographer
Vijay Karthik Kannan is widely recognised for his visually striking work on films such as 'Jailer' and 'Daaku Maharaj', with the highly anticipated 'Jailer 2' also in his pipeline. Notably, this is not his first collaboration with director Bobby Kolli, making the pairing a reunion of familiar creative partners on a marquee project.
Chiranjeevi's Intense Prep
Just a day before the DOP announcement, Megastar Chiranjeevi shared a gym workout video on his X timeline, offering fans a glimpse of the physical transformation he is undertaking for the role. In his post, Chiranjeevi wrote: 'Every day is another opportunity to push beyond limits… Charged up and excited for another memorable journey with my dear @dirbobby for #Mega158. Opening Ceremony on May 21st.'
The footage depicted a structured training regimen focused on explosive power, functional strength, and stamina — signals of the high-octane action sequences reportedly planned for the film.
Project Background
#Mega158 was first announced on Chiranjeevi's birthday last year, generating immediate buzz. The film is backed by the prestigious KVN Productions and produced by Venkat K Narayana. The project's debut poster — featuring an axe splitting a wall open with traces of blood in the cracks — carried the striking tagline: 'The blade that set the bloody benchmark.'
A Familiar Director-Star Pairing
This marks the second time Bobby Kolli and Chiranjeevi are joining forces, having previously delivered the action entertainer 'Waltair Veerayya' together. The reunion, combined with a high-profile technical crew, has amplified expectations around #Mega158 ahead of its official shoot commencement on 21 May.
Point of View
Kinetic frames that suited a mass entertainer, and that sensibility aligns with what Bobby Kolli appears to be building for Chiranjeevi. What stands out is the deliberate pacing of announcements: DOP revealed on the cameraman's birthday, launch set for May 21, gym video dropped the day before. This is a marketing rollout, not just a production update. The real question is whether #Mega158 can outperform 'Waltair Veerayya' — a film that did well but divided critics — and whether Chiranjeevi's physical transformation signals a genuine action pivot or is primarily promotional optics.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the cinematographer of Chiranjeevi's #Mega158?
Vijay Karthik Kannan has been named the Director of Photography for #Mega158. He is known for his work on 'Jailer', 'Daaku Maharaj', and the upcoming 'Jailer 2'.
When does #Mega158 officially go on floors?
The film is scheduled to formally launch and begin shooting on 21 May in Hyderabad, as confirmed by the producers.
Who is directing and producing #Mega158?
#Mega158 is directed by Bobby Kolli and produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions. It is Chiranjeevi and Bobby Kolli's second collaboration after 'Waltair Veerayya'.
What did Chiranjeevi say about #Mega158 on social media?
Chiranjeevi posted a gym workout video on X, writing: 'Every day is another opportunity to push beyond limits… Charged up and excited for another memorable journey with my dear @dirbobby for #Mega158. Opening Ceremony on May 21st.'
When was #Mega158 first announced?
#Mega158 was first announced on Chiranjeevi's birthday last year. The project's debut poster featured an axe splitting a wall with the tagline 'The blade that set the bloody benchmark.'
