Vijay Deverakonda to Shake a Leg With Ananya Panday?

Vijay Deverakonda's upcoming action entertainer Rowdy Janardhan is once again in the spotlight, with fresh industry buzz suggesting that Bollywood actress Ananya Panday is being considered for a special dance number in the film.

Directed by Ravi Kiran Kola and produced by Dil Raju, Rowdy Janardhan is regarded as one of the most crucial films in Vijay Deverakonda's career. The latest speculation revolves around a special song, with Ananya Panday reportedly emerging as the frontrunner to feature alongside Vijay. If the pairing materialises, it will mark their reunion after Liger, a film that failed both critically and commercially. The Vijay-Ananya pairing in Liger received mixed to negative reactions, with many viewers criticising their on-screen chemistry and the romantic track.

Despite that, filmmakers continue to rope in Bollywood actresses for special songs to enhance a film's pan-India appeal.

"Bollywood actresses certainly add visibility to Telugu films in the Hindi market. With mounting production costs, pan-India recognition has become important for recovering investments. However, repeating a pairing always carries a risk. Ultimately, what matters is whether the pair looks convincing and entertaining on screen," says a producer.

Special dance numbers featuring popular actresses have become a successful trend in Telugu cinema. Shruti Haasan recently appeared in a special song in Peddi, while Samantha's Oo Antava in Pushpa: The Rise and Sreeleela's special number in Pushpa 2: The Rule generated tremendous buzz. Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri has also featured in a special song in the Telugu film Nenu Ready, while Nora Fatehi has showcased her dancing skills in films such as Matka." he adds

If the reports prove true, the Vijay Deverakonda-Ananya Panday reunion is likely to generate considerable curiosity, although whether audiences embrace the pairing this time remains to be seen.