Tollywood
RAPO23: Is Srinidhi Shetty Joining Ram Pothineni's Directorial Debut?
BY CHRISTA LINCY
Ram Pothineni is set to embark on the most ambitious phase of his career with his upcoming project, tentatively titled #RAPO23. In a significant move that has caught the industry's attention, the actor is taking full creative control by serving as both the writer and director for the first time. This transition places him in an elite category of Tollywood stars like Sr NTR, Krishna, and Pawan Kalyan, who have successfully balanced acting and directing their own visions. On the casting front, the project has reached a major milestone with Srinidhi Shetty being finalized as the female lead. The actress, who gained massive popularity through the KGF franchise, will be making her first collaboration with Ram in this psychological action thriller. While the female lead is locked, the hunt for a powerful antagonist is currently the subject of much discussion within trade circles. Reports indicate that the team is currently in talks with SJ Suryah to play the antagonist. Interestingly, the role was initially offered to Fahadh Faasil, but discussions did not move forward due to remuneration-related issues. If the deal with SJ Suryah is finalized, the film will feature a high-intensity face-off between him and Ram, adding significant weight to the film's Lone Wolf narrative. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film, titled Veera, is being described as a stylish psychological action thriller, a genre that remains relatively rare in mainstream Telugu cinema. The first-look poster has already hinted at a dark and gritty aesthetic, featuring Ram in a leather jacket with a distinct V-shaped haircut. The Lone Wolf tag suggests a character-driven story with intense psychological depth, moving away from standard commercial tropes. Production for Veera is being handled by Ram's brother, Krishna Pothineni, under the newly launched Rapo Cinematics banner. This homegrown production approach ensures that the project remains a close-knit family venture as Ram steps into his new role behind the camera. The team is currently busy with pre-production work and finalizing the rest of the supporting cast and technical crew. As per the current schedule, regular shooting for #RAPO23 is set to begin in June 2026. The makers are aiming for a swift production cycle to ensure the film is ready for a theatrical release in December 2026. Given the unique genre and Rams directorial debut, the film is expected to be one of the most anticipated releases in the second half of the year.
