Draft:Gaanja Shankar

Gaanja Shankar is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language action thriller film written and directed by Sampath Nandi, and produced by Naga Vamsi S and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas. It stars Sai Dharam Tej in lead role.

The film was officially announced on 14 October 2023 under the tentative title SDT17, as it is Tej's 17th film as a lead actor, and the title of the film was announced a day later. The film has music composed by Bheems Ceciroleo, and cinematography handled by Rishi Punjabi.

Gaanja Shankar is scheduled to be released in theatres worldwide in 2024.

Cast

 * Sai Dharam Tej

Production
After the success of Seetimaarr in late 2021, it was reported that Samapath Nandi visited Tej and narrated a script which impressed him. The project was produced by Naga Vamsi S and Sai Soujanya under the bannera Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas. The makers made a public announcement on 14 October 2023, confirming the project, under the tentative title SDT17, as it is Tej's 17th film as a lead actor. The film's official title Gaanja Shankar was revealed on 15 October 2023, on Tej's birthday.

On 9 October 2023, the team shot the promotional video for the film at Aluminium factory, Hyderabad. The film has music composed by Bheems Ceciroleo, and cinematography handled by Rishi Punjabi.

Casting
Sai Dharam Tej would play the titular character Gaanja Shankar, a Cannabis dealer, and sported a bearded look for his role in the film.

Music
The soundtrack is composed by Bheems Ceciroleo, in his fourth collaboration with Nandi after Galipatam (2014), Bengal Tiger (2015) and Paper Boy (2018).

Release
Gaanja Shankar is scheduled to be released in theatres worldwide in 2024.