Vayuputra Animated Film on Lord Hanuman Paused Due to Budget Concerns

The ambitious animated feature film Vayuputra, centered on the story of Lord Hanuman, has been put on hold following reports of significant financial constraints and budget concerns. The project, produced by Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments and directed by Chandoo Mondeti, was announced following the success of Mahavatar Narasimha.

Reports indicate that the production had already entered the pre-production phase with an exciting script in place. The filmmakers intended to mount the project on a grand scale to ensure the final product met global standards of animation. To achieve this, the production planned to incorporate advanced technologies, specifically motion capture, and animatronics.

Technical Ambitions and Budgetary Estimates

The integration of high-end technology became a primary driver of the film’s rising costs. According to reporting from the Deccan Chronicle on April 9, 2026, the cost for the technology alone was estimated at approximately 32 crore. When combined with other production expenses, the total budget was expected to exceed 45 crore.

Other reports provide higher estimates regarding the project’s financial requirements. Gulte reported on April 9, 2026, that the technology costs were estimated at 38 crore on paper. When accounting for music and remunerations, the total cost to complete the film was projected to reach between 50 crore and 55 crore, or potentially more.

OTT Negotiations and Financial Gaps

Sithara Entertainments has maintained a strong track record with the streaming platform Netflix, with several of the production house’s previous films performing well digitally. However, negotiations for the digital rights of Vayuputra reportedly did not yield the necessary funding to cover the project’s scale.

The OTT giant was reportedly willing to offer between 15 crore and 20 crore for the project. This offer created a substantial financial gap when compared to the estimated total budget of 45 crore to 55 crore. The discrepancy meant that the producers would have to rely heavily on theatrical revenue to recover the remaining investment.

Theatrical Market Risks

The decision to pause the film is linked to the current state of the theatrical market. Naga Vamsi is reported to be cautious about assuming a high level of financial risk given the uncertain theatrical market conditions and prevailing challenging conditions currently facing cinema releases.

Because the digital deal with Netflix did not cover a sufficient portion of the production costs, the project’s viability became dependent on a volatile box office. This financial risk led to the decision to put the project on hold rather than proceeding with a budget that the producers felt was not sufficiently secured.

As of April 14, 2026, there has been no official confirmation regarding the status of the film from either producer Naga Vamsi or director Chandoo Mondeti. While some reports suggest the idea may have been dropped, others indicate the project is simply paused while the makers determine their next steps.