Ram Pothineni's #RAPO23 shoots 15-day Pondicherry schedule
Synopsis
Ram Pothineni is pulling double duty as lead actor and director on #RAPO23, a neo-noir psychological thriller, and the team is now deep into a 15-day Pondicherry schedule filming songs and high-octane action. With a National Award-winning cinematographer and the stunt duo behind KGF and Kantara on board, this is shaping up as one of Telugu cinema's most ambitious directorial debuts.
Key Takeaways
Ram Pothineni has begun a 15-day shooting schedule in Pondicherry for his directorial debut #RAPO23 .
The schedule includes a song choreographed by dance master Brinda and action sequences by stunt choreographer Vikram Mor . #RAPO23 is a psychological action thriller set in a neo-noir world; Ram plays a character named Veera .
The film is produced by Krishna Pothineni under the Rapo Cinematics banner.
National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru) and stunt choreographer Peter Hein are part of the core creative team.
Telugu star Ram Pothineni has kicked off a 15-day shooting schedule in Pondicherry for his directorial debut, tentatively titled #RAPO23, sources close to the production have disclosed. The film, a psychological action thriller set in a neo-noir world, is progressing at a brisk pace with the coastal union territory providing the backdrop for key sequences.
What Is Being Shot in Pondicherry
During this schedule, the team is filming a visually ambitious song choreographed by popular dance master Brinda. The unit is also shooting several high-voltage action episodes designed by stunt choreographer Vikram Mor, whose credits include blockbusters such as KGF: Chapter 1, Kantara, and Karuppu. The scenic locations of Pondicherry are reportedly being used to enhance the film's gritty visual identity.
Ram Pothineni's Dual Role
According to sources, Ram Pothineni is simultaneously handling responsibilities as both the film's lead actor and its director — a demanding dual role that he himself conceived. #RAPO23 was formally announced on the occasion of the actor's birthday, when the makers unveiled a striking poster introducing his character, Veera.
The birthday poster generated considerable excitement among fans. It depicted Ram from behind, dressed in a leather jacket with a sharp V-cut hairstyle, against a backdrop dominated by a bold red 'V' — symbolising Veera and evoking themes of rebellion and danger. Faint outlines of skyscrapers reinforced the film's cold, crime-infested urban world. The tagline 'The Story of a Lone Wolf' further underscored the protagonist's solitary, psychologically complex character.
The Creative Team Behind #RAPO23
#RAPO23 is being produced by Krishna Pothineni under the Rapo Cinematics banner on a lavish scale. National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru) is behind the camera. Alongside Vikram Mor, renowned stunt choreographer Peter Hein is co-designing the action sequences, while production designer AS Prakash is crafting the sets to amplify the film's scale and visual appeal.
What to Watch
With the Pondicherry schedule underway and key creative talent assembled, #RAPO23 is shaping up as one of Telugu cinema's more ambitious directorial debuts in recent years. No official release date has been announced yet, but the brisk production pace suggests the makers are targeting a significant theatrical window.
Point of View
Rather than a conventional mass entertainer, signals genuine creative ambition. The assembly of Thirru, Peter Hein, and Vikram Mor suggests the production is investing seriously in craft. Whether Pothineni can translate that ambition into box-office results will be the real test when #RAPO23 eventually arrives in cinemas.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is #RAPO23 currently being filmed?
The team is currently filming a 15-day schedule in Pondicherry, shooting a song choreographed by Brinda and high-voltage action sequences designed by Vikram Mor and Peter Hein.
Who is producing #RAPO23?
#RAPO23 is being produced by Krishna Pothineni under the Rapo Cinematics banner. The film is described as a lavish-scale production.
Who are the key technicians on #RAPO23?
National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru) is the director of photography. Stunt choreographers Vikram Mor and Peter Hein are designing the action, while AS Prakash is handling production design.
What is the tone and genre of #RAPO23?
#RAPO23 is described as a psychological action thriller set in a gripping neo-noir world, conceived by Ram Pothineni himself. The birthday poster and its tagline 'The Story of a Lone Wolf' hint at a dark, intense protagonist with a complex psychological arc.
