No Jawan inspiration to Krishna Ajai Rao’s untitled next, says director, despite uncanny first look similarity

Krishna Ajai Rao, who is basking in the success of his last release, Yuddhakaanda Chapter 2, which, after a 50-day theatrical run has now made its way to OTT, has officially launched his next. The actor is teaming up with director SK Baahubali of Nan Magale Heroine and MRP fame, and is paired with Upadhyaksha and Vidyapati fame Malaika Vasupal.

Ajai’s look copied from Jawan?

Ajai’s look from the as-yet-untitled film was revealed as part of the launch, which features the actor seated in an all-denim outfit, blood trickling down his face, arm resting on a baseball bat that was presumably used in the fight that resulted in one lens of his spectacles missing and the other cracked. The most striking feature of the first look, though, is that Ajai sports a bald head. The image hints at the film being quite action-packed, but Baahubali is unwilling to reveal more at this stage, saying only that he’s presenting a “family thriller”.

Intense as it is, Ajai’s look, which was done achieved the help of prosthetics and a team from Mumbai, it did spark comparisons to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan. Ajai’s pose, for instance, is similar to Shah Rukh with a half mask on his face, and holding a rifle instead of a bat. It’s a mix of two of Shah Rukh’s looks in Jawan, one could say. Baahubali, though, vehemently denies any connection between the films.

The filmmaker adds that the story has universal appeal, but that they’ve not decided whether to take it pan-India eventually or not. It will be shot in Kannada and then dubbed in other languages. The film will be shot across locations in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Pondicherry. Ajai will be seen in three distinct looks in the film, the director said, adding that whether it is different shades of the same character or multiple roles will be revealed at a later stage. Ajai will have to undergo physical transformations for the film, Baahubali stated.