Ram Pothineni shoots 24 hours straight for directorial debut RaPo23
Synopsis
Ram Pothineni is going all-in on his directorial debut — reportedly shooting 24 hours straight on a nine-day Pondicherry set while simultaneously directing. Unexpected rains have stalled the schedule, but the scale of RaPo23, with National Award-winning cinematographer Thirru and stunt legends Vikram Mor and Peter Hein on board, signals this is no vanity project.
Key Takeaways
Ram Pothineni reportedly shot for 24 hours at a stretch near Pondicherry for his directorial debut RaPo23 .
The Pondicherry schedule ran for nearly nine days on a large-scale production setup.
Unexpected rains disrupted filming; the unit has temporarily returned to Hyderabad .
The film is produced by Krishna Pothineni under the Rapo Cinematics banner on a lavish scale.
Technical crew includes National Award -winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru) , stunt choreographers Vikram Mor and Peter Hein , and production designer A S Prakash .
RaPo23 is a psychological action thriller set in a neo-noir world, with Ram playing a character named Veera .
Telugu actor Ram Pothineni reportedly shot for a gruelling 24 hours at a stretch on the outskirts of Pondicherry for his directorial debut, RaPo23, according to industry sources. What sets the effort apart is that Ram is simultaneously directing the film and playing its lead character, Veera — a dual responsibility that has reportedly pushed him to his limits.
A Massive Nine-Day Pondicherry Schedule
A large-scale production setup was mounted on the outskirts of Pondicherry for a schedule that ran for nearly nine days. Sources indicate that Ram was actively overseeing every aspect of the production as director while also delivering as the lead actor throughout the shoot. The ambition of the setup reflects the lavish scale on which the film is being produced by Krishna Pothineni under the Rapo Cinematics banner.
Rain Disrupts Schedule, Team Returns to Hyderabad
Unexpected rains reportedly disrupted the ongoing Pondicherry schedule, forcing the unit to temporarily halt filming and return to Hyderabad. The team is expected to head back to Pondicherry soon to complete the remaining portions on the same massive setup. Among the key sequences still to be filmed is a visually ambitious song choreographed by popular dance master Brinda.
High-Voltage Action and Technical Firepower
The Pondicherry schedule also includes several high-voltage action sequences designed by stunt choreographer Vikram Mor, whose credits include blockbusters such as 'KGF: Chapter 1', 'Kantara', and 'Karuppu 3'. Acclaimed stunt choreographer Peter Hein is also part of the action department. Behind the camera is National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru), while A S Prakash handles production design.
What RaPo23 Is About
Conceived entirely by Ram Pothineni himself, #RAPO23 is described as a unique psychological action thriller set in a neo-noir world. The film was formally announced on the occasion of Ram's birthday. With a strong technical crew, a distinctive genre premise, and Ram pulling double duty as actor-director, the project is shaping up as one of the more ambitious Telugu productions currently in the works. The next Pondicherry leg of the shoot will be closely watched as a marker of whether the production can stay on track despite weather disruptions.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is the technical assembly: Thirru, Vikram Mor, and Peter Hein together suggest serious production intent, not a vanity project. The real question is whether a debut director can sustain creative control over a lavish, rain-disrupted multi-location shoot without the schedule and budget bleeding out of hand — a challenge that has tripped up far more experienced filmmakers.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Pondicherry shoot of RaPo23 in the news?
Ram Pothineni reportedly shot for 24 continuous hours near Pondicherry while simultaneously directing the film, drawing attention to the demanding dual role he has taken on. The nine-day schedule was also disrupted by unexpected rains, forcing the unit to return to Hyderabad.
Who is part of the technical crew of RaPo23?
The film features National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru) as director of photography, stunt choreographers Vikram Mor and Peter Hein handling action sequences, and A S Prakash as production designer.
When will the Pondicherry shoot resume?
The team is expected to return to Pondicherry soon to complete the remaining portions on the same large-scale setup, including a song choreographed by dance master Brinda and high-voltage action sequences.
What genre is RaPo23 and who conceived it?
RaPo23 is described as a unique psychological action thriller set in a gripping neo-noir world, conceived entirely by Ram Pothineni himself. The film was formally announced on the occasion of his birthday.
