Sreeleela’s Big Gamble With Kannada Film Junior?

After making waves in Tollywood alongside A-listers like Mahesh Babu, Ravi Teja, and Balakrishna, and recently stepping into Kollywood with Sivakarthikeyan in Parashakti, rising star Sreeleela is now doing a Kannada project titled Junior. What makes this move notable is her choice to pair up with debutant Kireeti Reddy—a decision some in the industry are calling a bold gamble.

“It’s risky,” admits a prominent Telugu producer. “Teaming up with a newcomer might not offer the visibility or momentum she’s earned so far. It could even slow her current upward trajectory.” Still, Junior is far from a low-profile venture. The film boasts a strong lineup of Kannada stars, including veteran Ravichandran, and is being crafted as a multilingual release. The inclusion of hit Telugu music director Devi Sri Prasad also hints at big ambitions, particularly in South India’s cross-industry market.

Kireeti Reddy, notably, is the son of influential businessman and politician Gali Janardhan Reddy, which ensures the project comes with a lavish budget. “She’s likely being paid upwards of ₹3 crore,” the producer estimates. “But whether this film helps her gain solid ground in Sandalwood without a big Kannada co-star is still uncertain.”

Junior has been in the planning stages for over a year, and it's finally moving forward—largely, the insider notes, because Sreeleela’s star power is currently at its peak.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time she’s launched a career by working with a fresh face. Her debut in Pelli SandaD opposite Roshan opened doors to projects with some of Tollywood’s biggest names. She’s also shared the screen with Allu Arjun in a popular item number. “Perhaps she’s using the same strategy in Kannada cinema—start small, build steadily, and eventually rise to the top,” he suggests.