Actor Varun Tej has officially begun work on his upcoming film Bari, which is being produced by his sister Niharika Konidela under her banner. The film was formally launched on Saturday in the presence of actor and politician Pawan Kalyan, who attended the event as the chief guest.

Niharika, who previously made her debut as a producer with Committee Kurrollu, is currently awaiting the release of her next project Rakshasa, starring Sangeeth Sobhan and Nayan Sarika, scheduled for April 3. Meanwhile, she has moved forward with Bari, marking her first collaboration with her elder brother Varun Tej.

Speaking at the launch event, Niharika expressed her happiness about working with her brother. She recalled how her father had collaborated with his brothers, including Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan, and said she now understands the joy of such partnerships. She also thanked Pawan Kalyan for attending and blessing the project.

The film is being directed by Yadu Vamsi, who gained recognition with Committee Kurrollu. According to the makers, Bari is being planned for a Sankranthi release, a season already packed with major projects. Director Anil Ravipudi is also preparing a film starring Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram for Sankranthi 2027, setting up a potential box-office clash. Additionally, reports suggest that Akkineni Nagarjuna's milestone 101st film may also release during the same festive period.

Interestingly, Bari will feature a sports-based storyline set in a rural backdrop, focusing on volleyball. This adds to the growing trend of sports dramas within the Mega family, as Ram Charan's upcoming film Peddi is also said to revolve around sports themes, including cricket and wrestling.

Varun Tej, who previously appeared in the sports drama Gani based on kickboxing, stated that his decision to take up Bari was driven by his confidence in the stories selected by Niharika. He noted that neither of them had planned a collaboration earlier, but the script convinced him to come on board.