Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure is an upcoming pan-Indian mythological fantasy adventure thriller that has been generating strong buzz. Starring Virat Karna in the lead role and directed by Abhishek Nama, the film is all set to release on July 3, 2026. Ahead of its release, we caught up with Virat Karna for an interaction, where he spoke about landing the project, preparing for his role, working with the team, and his upcoming films.
How did you become a part of Nagabandham?
After the release of Pedha Kapu 1, I learned that Abhishek Nama garu was looking for an actor who would suit the role of Rudra in Nagabandham. I felt I was the right choice for the character, so I approached him and I liked the story. He liked my performance as well, and that’s how I came on board.
What can audiences expect from Nagabandham?
As you’ve already seen in the teaser and trailer, the film is set against the backdrop of ancient Vishnu temples, a mysterious divine ritual, and forgotten legends. It has plenty of thrilling moments, and we’re confident audiences will enjoy the experience. Everyone associated with the film gave their best, and the producers didn’t compromise on the scale. Now, it’s up to the audience to decide the result.
How did you prepare for the role?
I play Rudra in the film, so I underwent physical training, spent a lot of time in the gym, and learned horse riding to make the character look authentic. At the same time, I wanted to prepare mentally as well. I used to wake up early every morning, perform pooja, and listen to Shiva mantras. It gave me positive energy and helped me stay connected with the character throughout the shoot.
Playing the Nagasadhu was physically challenging. During one of the night schedules in December, I had to perform almost half naked in the cold weather with strong winds blowing. It was extremely uncomfortable, but we completed the scene, and it has turned out really well.
Since the characters are rooted in mythology, what were your references?
I attended acting workshops to prepare for both looks. Chiranjeevi garu and Sr. NTR garu were my biggest inspirations because they portrayed mythological characters so convincingly on screen. Bhagyashri also guided me extensively with the accent, character development, and several other aspects of my performance. I’m grateful to her for all the support. I also gained nearly 20 kg for the role of Rudra. For the Nagasadhu look, applying the makeup took around six hours every day, and removing it took another hour.
How was it working with director Abhishek Nama?
Abhishek Nama garu has a clear vision and knows exactly what he wants from every scene. He also took great care of me during the shoot, especially while filming physically demanding sequences. At one point, I was slightly nervous about the way my character was being presented, but he was always confident in his vision. He approaches everything from the audience’s perspective. I sincerely thank him for believing in me. Making a film on a budget of over Rs. 100 crore with an almost newcomer in the lead is a huge responsibility, and we’re confident the film will receive a positive response.
What did you learn from the result of Pedha Kapu 1?
I genuinely believed Pedha Kapu 1 would work because everyone had put in a lot of effort. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way we expected. That experience taught me that an actor’s responsibility is to stay committed to the role and give his best. The final result is never in our hands. As a newcomer, I was naturally disappointed, but the experience made me stronger and gave me more confidence to move forward.
What can we expect from you next?
I have two exciting projects in the pipeline, and I’ll announce them after the release of Nagabandham. One of them is a superhero film, and that’s all I can reveal at this point.