Actor Mahesh Babu is set to voice Mufasa in the Telugu version of the upcoming Disney film Mufasa: The Lion King, Walt Disney Studios India announced on Wednesday.

“Bringing the supreme king of the jungle to life. Excited to present Superstar @urstrulyMahesh as the voice of Mufasa in Telugu. Watch Telugu trailer releasing on Monday,” they wrote on X alongside a Telugu poster of the film and a picture of Mahesh.

A prequel to the 1994 animated classic The Lion King, Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origin story of Simba’s father Mufasa, depicting his journey from a young orphaned lion cub to a wise and benevolent leader.

Helmed by Barry Jenkins, the animated film will show the early life of Mufasa, following his upbringing alongside his brother Scar, who eventually becomes his foe. Actors Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. have lent their voices to the younger versions of Mufasa and Scar. With Lin-Manuel Miranda composing the background score, the film’s voice actors also include John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon and Donald Glover as Simba.

Previously, a teaser of the film was dropped by the makers. “This story begins far beyond the mountains and the shadows….A lion was born without a drop of nobility in his blood,” says the mandrill Rafiki in the video, teasing the start of Mufasa’s journey.

Mahesh was last seen in Trivikram Srinivas’s Guntur Kaaram alongside Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary and Prakash Raj. Marking the actor’s 28th film, Guntur Kaaram featured soundtracks by Thaman S and cinematography handled by Manoj Paramahamsa.

The official trailer of Mufasa: The Lion King is slated to drop on August 26. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on December 20.