‘KJQ’ Was Meant for Anushka Shetty! Sandeep Reddy Vanga Reveals 12-Year-Old Secret Behind the Film

Just a day before its theatrical release, KJQ (King Jackie Queen) has landed in the spotlight for an unexpected reason. During a promotional interaction hosted by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, fans got to know that the film, now headlined by Dheekshith Shetty, Shashi Odela, and Yukti Thareja, was originally planned with Anushka Shetty in the lead over a decade ago.

Vanga revealed that late filmmaker Kiran Kumar (KK) first came up with the story nearly 12 years ago and wanted to mount it as a big star vehicle featuring Anushka. However, the project never moved beyond the planning stage. Instead of giving up, KK held on to the script, reworked it over the years, and eventually reshaped the central female character. That role is now played by Yukti Thareja, giving the long delayed dream a fresh identity.

The revelation has surprised fans, who are now wondering how different KJQ would have looked had Anushka starred in the film. While the cast changed, the filmmaker's passion for the story remained intact until the very end.

Adding to the emotional weight, KJQ is Kiran Kumar's final directorial venture. The filmmaker passed away before the film's release, making the movie a tribute to his vision and years of dedication. Industry insiders have described the release as a celebration of KK's craft and perseverance.

Set in the 1990s, KJQ is a period crime drama that revolves around three lives caught between love, friendship, betrayal, ambition, and survival. The film promises an intense narrative with a nostalgic backdrop and stylish action.

Produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the SLV Cinemas banner, the film also introduces Shashi Odela, brother of The Paradise director Srikanth Odela, as an actor. The supporting cast includes Prudhviraj and Muralidhar Goud, while Poornachandra Tejaswi has composed the music.

The film has already earned praise for its teaser, which was unveiled by Nani last year. The teaser introduced the three lead characters with the striking dialogue, "A city and a gun are the same. They obey the one in whose hands they are," setting the tone for a gritty gangster drama.