Mahesh Babu Unveils Nagabandham: A Mytho-Action Epic

New Delhi, February 16, 2026: On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu sent shockwaves through the industry by unveiling the highly anticipated teaser for “Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure.” Billed as a “mytho-action” epic, the film marks a grand departure from standard period dramas, weaving together historical events from the 18th century with deep-rooted Indian spiritualism and mythology.

A Visual Glimpse into the Divine

The two-minute-plus teaser, shared by Mahesh Babu on social media with a note calling it “absolutely fascinating,” opens with sweeping, atmospheric shots of the snowy Himalayas. Eschewing heavy dialogue, the teaser relies on a haunting, devotionally charged background score by Junaid Kumar and Abhe to establish its mysterious tone.

The narrative centers on the Nagabandham Temple, a secret shrine hidden deep within the mountains that is believed to guard an ancient cosmic force. The teaser’s central mantra—“Born from Brahma’s Creation, Guarded by Vishnu’s Dharma, Powered by Mahadev’s Fury”—perfectly summarizes the high stakes of the plot: a clash between human greed and divine guardianship.

Where History Meets Myth

What sets Nagabandham apart is its unique historical footing. The story is partly inspired by the mid-1750s Afghan invasions led by Ahmad Shah Abdali. In this cinematic retelling, the historical invasion is reframed as a quest to seize a legendary ancient treasure, forcing a chosen protector to rise against the chaos.

Director Abhishek Nama, whose vision involves grand scale and high-end visual effects, has spared no expense. Reports suggest that a single climax sequence involving a massive sacred door cost nearly 20 crore, with international action choreographer Kecha Khamphakdee (of Jawan and Baahubali fame) overseeing the combat.

Stellar Cast and Production

The film features Virat Karrna in a transformative lead role. His portrayal of a fierce warrior culminates in a stunning, Lord Shiva-inspired manifestation that has already become the teaser’s biggest talking point.

Joining him is an impressive ensemble cast:

• Nabha Natesh and Ishwarya Menon as the female leads.
• Jagapathi Babu, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Murali Sharma in pivotal character roles.
• Rishabh Sawhney, portraying the historical antagonist inspired by Abdali.

Release Details

Produced by Kishore Annapureddy and Nishitha Nagireddy under the banners of NIK Studios and Abhishek Pictures, Nagabandham is being positioned as a major Pan-India release.

Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the full spectacle, as the film is slated for a Summer 2026 theatrical debut. It will be released in six languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and English, ensuring that this blend of Indian heritage and action reaches a global audience.