Bhoomi Shetty Cast as Mahakali in Puja Kolluru’s New Film

Bhoomi Shetty will portray the title role in Mahakali, a mythic action drama directed by Puja Kolluru. The picture is shaping up as a significant addition to Prasanth Varma's Cinematic Universe (PVCU), following the success of Teja Sajja’s HanuMan.

The team recently released Bhoomi’s first look as Mahakali — a striking, powerful image that captures the film’s blend of divinity and force, and has already sparked excitement among PVCU fans.

From Coastal Roots to the Screen

Born in Kundapura, Karnataka, Bhoomi Shetty is the daughter of Bhaskar and Baby Shetty. She is fluent in Kannada and Tulu and trained in Yakshagana, the theatrical tradition native to Karnataka’s coast.

Her acting journey began on Kannada television with the series Kinnari, where she played the lead role of Mani. In 2018 she moved to Telugu television with Zee Telugu's Ninne Pelladatha, taking on the role of Mrudula.

In 2019 Bhoomi reached a wider audience as a contestant on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 7, hosted by Kichcha Sudeepa; her poised performance earned her a spot as the fourth runner-up.

Transitioning to Films

She made her Kannada film debut in Ikkat (2021), a comedy directed by Haseen Khan and Esham Khan and co-starring Nagabhushana; the film is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

That year she also had a brief role in the Telugu serial Attarintlo Akka Chellelu before stepping into Telugu cinema with Sharathulu Varthisthai opposite Chaitanya Rao Madadi. While reviews for the film were mixed, critics noted Bhoomi’s compelling screen presence and emotional range.

More recently, she played Gauri, the wife of Satyadev’s character, in Kingdom — the Vijay Deverakonda-starrer directed by Gautam Tinnanuri — where her nuanced performance added depth to the film’s emotional core.

Mahakali and the Expanding PVCU

Mahakali extends Prasanth Varma’s effort to reinterpret Indian mythology through contemporary genre cinema. Directed by Puja Kolluru from a story by Prasanth Varma and Vinay Kumar Vakkapatla, the film reportedly focuses on divine feminine power, transformation, and kinetic, myth-infused action.

Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna has been confirmed in a pivotal role, bringing a new dimension to the PVCU ensemble and raising expectations for the project’s scale and performances.

What This Means for Bhoomi

Assuming the role of Mahakali presents Bhoomi Shetty with a landmark opportunity that could redefine her screen image. The film looks set to combine mythic themes with cinematic spectacle, helping to further establish the PVCU’s modern take on Indian folklore for today’s audiences.