Nagabandham: Fighter's Rishabh Sawhney turns Ahmad Shah Abdali for fantasy-thriller
Rishabh Sawhney will make his Telugu debut in Nagabandham as Ahmad Shah Abdali and his modern reincarnation. The role places him in a two-timeline fantasy thriller ahead of the film's planned summer 2026 release.
Actor Rishabh Sawhney is set to make his Telugu cinema debut with Nagabandham, a fantasy adventure drama scheduled for release in July 3, 2026. The actor, who drew attention for his performance as Azhar Akhtar in Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan, will be seen in a vastly different role in the upcoming film.
The makers released the trailer of Nagabandham on June 19, offering a glimpse of Sawhney as Ahmad Shah Abdali, one of the film's main antagonists. According to reports, the actor has undergone extensive preparation for the role, including training in sword fighting and learning Pashto to accurately portray the historical figure.
What makes his character even more intriguing is that Sawhney is reportedly playing a dual role in the film. Besides portraying Ahmad Shah Abdali, he will also appear as the character's modern-day reincarnation, with the story unfolding across two timelines.
About Nagabandham
Set against a backdrop of mythology, history and fantasy, Nagabandham revolves around a mystical treasure believed to be connected to Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy. Hidden deep within the Himalayas, the sacred treasure becomes the target of a powerful antagonist driven by greed. As dark forces seek to claim it, a chosen guardian must rise to protect the treasure and preserve the balance between good and evil.
The trailer also showcases lead actor Virat Karrna in multiple avatars, including a striking look inspired by Lord Shiva. The trailer has crossed 10 million views on YouTube.
Apart from Sawhney and Virat Karrna, the film features Iswarya Menon, Nabha Natesh, Murali Sharma, Jaya Prakash, BS Avinash and Anasuya Bharadwaj in key roles.
Backed by NIK Studios and Abhishek Pictures, Nagabandham is planned as a multilingual release and is expected to hit theatres in summer 2026.
For Sawhney, the film marks a significant milestone in his career. After making an impression in Hindi cinema with Fighter, the actor is now set to expand his reach with his Telugu debut that combines historical drama, action and fantasy on an ambitious scale.
Actor Rishabh Sawhney is set to make his Telugu cinema debut with Nagabandham, a fantasy adventure drama scheduled for release in July 3, 2026. The actor, who drew attention for his performance as Azhar Akhtar in Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan, will be seen in a vastly different role in the upcoming film.
The makers released the trailer of Nagabandham on June 19, offering a glimpse of Sawhney as Ahmad Shah Abdali, one of the film's main antagonists. According to reports, the actor has undergone extensive preparation for the role, including training in sword fighting and learning Pashto to accurately portray the historical figure.
What makes his character even more intriguing is that Sawhney is reportedly playing a dual role in the film. Besides portraying Ahmad Shah Abdali, he will also appear as the character's modern-day reincarnation, with the story unfolding across two timelines.
About Nagabandham
Set against a backdrop of mythology, history and fantasy, Nagabandham revolves around a mystical treasure believed to be connected to Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy. Hidden deep within the Himalayas, the sacred treasure becomes the target of a powerful antagonist driven by greed. As dark forces seek to claim it, a chosen guardian must rise to protect the treasure and preserve the balance between good and evil.
The trailer also showcases lead actor Virat Karrna in multiple avatars, including a striking look inspired by Lord Shiva. The trailer has crossed 10 million views on YouTube.
Apart from Sawhney and Virat Karrna, the film features Iswarya Menon, Nabha Natesh, Murali Sharma, Jaya Prakash, BS Avinash and Anasuya Bharadwaj in key roles.
Backed by NIK Studios and Abhishek Pictures, Nagabandham is planned as a multilingual release and is expected to hit theatres in summer 2026.
For Sawhney, the film marks a significant milestone in his career. After making an impression in Hindi cinema with Fighter, the actor is now set to expand his reach with his Telugu debut that combines historical drama, action and fantasy on an ambitious scale.
