Naga Chaitanya has stepped into the adventurous shoes of a treasure hunter for his upcoming film NC24, his 24th film. The film is being pitched as a mystic fantasy thriller. Sporting a brand-new hairstyle for the role, Chaitanya is currently shooting at a grand, specially built set in Hyderabad.
One of the major highlights of NC24 is a massive cave set constructed at Annapurna Studios.
Designed by production designer Sri Nagendra Tangala, the set has been crafted with meticulous detail and impressive scale to bring an authentic, lifelike cave to the screen. To showcase this extraordinary work, the team recently invited members of the media to visit the set—and they were left stunned by its realism.
Created over nearly two months with a significant budget, this cave is the backdrop for several key portions of the film, which is currently progressing at a brisk pace. Directed by Karthik Dandu of ‘Virupaksha’ fame, the film is being produced by BVSN Prasad and Sukumar, with Bapineedu as the presenter.
Speaking about the importance of the set, Karthik Dandu said, “We chose to build a physical set instead of relying on visual effects to bring authenticity to the experience. It helps the actors perform more naturally when they feel the environment around them is real.”
Meenakshi Chaudhary as archaeologist
Meenakshi Chaudhary joins the cast as Daksha, an archaeologist and the love interest of Chaitanya’s character.
Naga Chaitanya shared his excitement: “I was blown away by Karthik Dandu’s narration and even more stunned by the massive cave set. This is the biggest film of my career in terms of scale and budget. I’ve been wanting to do films that offer a complete cinematic experience, and NC24 is definitely a step in that direction.”
While the film might hint at adventure, the makers are clear: NC24 is not an Indiana Jones-style treasure hunt. “It’s not just another action-adventure,” added Karthik Dandu. “It’s something unique, something different.”
Meenakshi Chaudhary added that she got a role that is interlinked to the plot.
With magnum-opus scale and a distinct vision, NC24 is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing projects in Naga Chaitanya’s career.
