Actor Ram Pothineni a versatile and kinetic movie star has dipped his toes into directing territory with his upcoming 23rd film called #RAPO23. The announcement, on his birthday, has created a buzz in the Telugu film industry, launching him behind the camera as a filmmaker.
Previously surprising fans by writing the lyrics for his film Andhra King Taluka, Ram is venturing direction-wise through a stylish psychological action thriller. This project will show not just his acting skills but also his storytelling.
The creators published an eye-catching birthday special poster fleshing out Ram’s persona, Veera, set expectations already soaring in audiences’ hearts and minds.
The usual shoot on #RAPO23 is due to start in June, with the team looking ahead to a December 2026 release. Produced by Krishna Pothineni under newly established Rapo Cinematics banner the movie is planned to be a major turning point in Ram’s career blending high-octane action with a hint of psychology.
Additional details about the cast and technical crew will come in next few days, adding extra excitement to those things. Remarkably, Ram has joined the elite group of celebrities who will move into direction. Previous film stars such as Sr NTR, Krishna or Pawan Kalyan have acted as the director in the past and have left an indelible mark on Telugu cinema.
Ram’s path with Raj and others demonstrates his desire to broaden his creativity and add value to the world in a new form. “#RAPO23 is not just another film,” as fan’s see it, Ram Pothineni, Pothineni’s director, wrote in the message to me later. The evolution he went through has transformed him from actor to lyricist to director.
This shows his readiness to experiment and create new and different things. The film held the promise of being one of the most-talked-about films of 2026, one which is packed with promise for a gripping psychological action thriller.
Now the final production countdown has begun and we are set to see Ram Pothineni make his directorial debut from now on. Perhaps, if he was successful in the past, #RAPO23 could completely reinvent his career and open up Telugu cinema’s storytelling map.
