Manchu Manoj, who plays Mahabir Lama, also known as Black Sword, in the film Mirai, has recently dropped hints about the possible return of his character in future installments of the franchise. Mirai, directed by Karthik Gattamneni, blends Hindu mythology and ancient Indian history with a modern world in need of a savior. The film stars Teja Sajja as Vedha, who is tasked with protecting nine sacred scriptures from Mahabir Lama, who seeks to control them and gain immense power.

Manoj's portrayal of the antagonist Black Sword has been praised for adding weight to the film's conflict. The actor himself has noted the challenging and exhilarating experience of returning to the industry with such a powerful and intriguing character. He embodies the strength and resilience that a hero should possess.

At the end of Mirai, Vedha confronts Mahabir, who has gained control of the nine grandhas, making him incredibly powerful. Just as Vedha is about to sacrifice himself, his weapon transforms into Lord Rama's bow, and he fires an arrow at Mahabir. While a huge blast suggests the villain's defeat, his demise is never explicitly shown.

In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Manoj discussed the ending of Mirai and teased the future of his character. He pointed out that the nine grandhas make Mahabir virtually unbeatable, suggesting that he may have survived the blast. Manoj recounted a conversation with his son, a big fan of Black Sword, who questioned whether Rama killed Black Sword. Manoj responded by asking, "Did you see him die?".

Manoj further hinted at a larger war to come in future installments, referencing the characters of Shriya Saran and Jagapathi Babu, who mention a war that hasn't happened yet. He drew a parallel to Ravana, who also possessed amrit and required a prolonged war to be defeated, implying that Mahabir, with his own protective shield, might also necessitate a war to be truly vanquished.

Mirai was released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. The film is produced by TG Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory. Mirai does not delve deeply into its core ideas, it positions itself as a franchise, open to welcoming new and bigger players.