Right after the release of 1 Nenokkadine, Mahesh Babu promised Sukumar that he will do another film with him. After delivering the blockbuster Rangasthalam, Sukumar approached Mahesh Babu with a story in the backdrop of red sandalwood smuggling. Later, Mahesh called off the project and Sukumar approached Bunny.

There is an opinion in the film industry that Sukumar has approached Allu Arjun with the story that he already narrated to Mahesh Babu. With Pushpa's release, everyone has mixed opinions on the same. In a recent media interaction, Sukumar gave clarity to the same.

Sukumar has apparently told that he can not completely admit that he pitched the same story to both the heroes. He partially agreed that it is the story he wanted to do with Mahesh but finally did with Allu Arjun.