Recent reports have surfaced suggesting that actor Vicky Kaushal and director Amar Kaushik are planning significant lifestyle changes in preparation for their upcoming mythological epic, "Mahavatar". However, other sources indicate that these reports are, at least for now, untrue.

"Mahavatar," produced by Maddock Films, is set to explore the life of Chiranjeevi Parashurama, a revered warrior sage and one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Amar Kaushik, known for directing "Stree" and "Bhediya," characterizes "Mahavatar" as a deeply personal and spiritually significant project, drawing inspiration from his childhood experiences in Arunachal Pradesh. The film is slated for a theatrical release in 2028, with filming expected to commence towards the end of 2026.

According to initial reports, both Vicky Kaushal and Amar Kaushik were said to be committed to taking their dedication to the project to the next level by abstaining from non-vegetarian food and alcohol. The purported reason behind this decision was to maintain complete focus and dedication to the film, ensuring it becomes a "pure spectacle" for audiences. It was also mentioned that they would commence their preparations with a grand pooja ceremony in mid-2026. Reports suggested that Kaushik had already adopted a sattvic lifestyle, while Kaushal was expected to follow suit after completing his work on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Love and War". This change in lifestyle was described as Kaushal's way of showing respect for his role as Lord Parashurama.

However, conflicting information has emerged, with an industry insider telling Etimes that these speculations are "untrue and unverified". According to this source, Vicky Kaushal is currently focused on shooting "Love and War" with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and thus, no such decisions regarding lifestyle changes have been made.

Adding another layer to the narrative, it's worth noting the parallel between Kaushal's supposed preparations and those of his "Love and War" co-star, Ranbir Kapoor. Kapoor has also reportedly decided to quit alcohol and non-vegetarian food for his role as Lord Ram in the upcoming "Ramayana".

Amar Kaushik has described "Mahavatar" as a "huge responsibility" and a story he has wanted to explore for a long time. He expressed his excitement about working with Vicky Kaushal, stating that he sees a lot of purity in him and believes he is the best person to portray the character. Kaushik also mentioned the extensive pre-production work being done on the film, including costume and set design.

Whether or not Vicky Kaushal and Amar Kaushik will indeed quit alcohol and non-vegetarian food for "Mahavatar" remains to be seen. For now, reports of these lifestyle changes should be treated as unconfirmed. What is certain is that "Mahavatar" is an ambitious project that aims to bring a fresh perspective to the story of Parashurama, blending deep spirituality with advanced visual effects.