Malla Reddy — best known as the former Labour & Employment Minister of Telangana and current MLA of Medchal — recently turned down a tempting offer to play the villain in Ustaad Bhagat Singh, a major film starring Pawan Kalyan. The reasons he gave are as bold as the offer itself.
The Offer Was Big, But The Image Mattered More
According to what Malla Reddy shared, director Harish Shankar approached him at his college and waited patiently, hoping to convince him to take on the villainous role. The movie makers offered ₹3 crore — a substantial sum. However, Reddy politely declined. Why? Because playing a negative character just didn’t sit well with him.
Not Just Another Role — It’s About Image, Values, and Legacy
Reddy made it clear: he didn’t want to play a villain. He said he prefers roles where the character holds integrity, rather than ones that revolve around antagonism. In his view, being the villain often means playing a part that might dominate by shouting or doing wrong things before the hero turns things around and defeats them. For him, this kind of character arc wasn’t appealing.
What This Means for His Public Persona
For Malla Reddy, choices like these aren’t just about cinema. They reflect the kind of leader and public figure he wants to be. Accepting a role that involves negativity or villainy could clash with how he wants to be seen — someone who stands for uprightness and ethics, rather than theatrics.
When To Expect Ustaad Bhagat Singh
Though Malla Reddy won’t be there as the villain, that hasn’t slowed the film’s momentum. Promotions are expected to begin around Diwali, and the movie is tipped to hit theaters in summer 2026.
