Music director-turned-actor Devi Sri Prasad has recorded the title song of his acting debut film Yellamma with 100 traditional folk rhythm artistes drawn from diverse cultures across India, sources close to the production unit said. The film, directed by Venu Yeldandi and produced by Shrish, is set for a worldwide theatrical release on 5 March 2026.

A Hundred Voices, One Song

According to sources, Devi Sri Prasad was intent on capturing the raw, unfiltered power of Indian folk music for the Yellamma title track. To achieve that, the team assembled 100 traditional rhythm players representing multiple regional folk traditions from across the country — an ambitious production choice that underscores the film's cultural ambition. Devi Sri Prasad is also composing the film's full score, playing the dual role of actor and music director on the project.

He plays a character named Parshi in the film, with cinematography handled by Acharya Venu and the project presented by veteran producer Dil Raju.

The Personal Connection Behind the Project

Devi Sri Prasad's decision to accept the film was rooted in a deeply personal relationship with folk traditions. Earlier this year, he shared a video — released through T Series — in which he visited his father's native village, Vedurupaka, and reflected on how childhood visits there had kindled his passion for folk arts. In his own words, he described the annual Ammoru Jaathara celebrations there as 'the reason why I said YES to Yellamma.'

'The village that taught me the beauty of culture, folk arts and divinity. It extremely inspired me. Which is what made me say yes to Yellamma,' he said in the video, offering fans a rare glimpse into the emotional underpinning of his acting debut.

A Debut Eight Years in the Making — Or Eight Hours

Director Venu Yeldandi had earlier revealed that his first meeting with Devi Sri Prasad to discuss the film lasted an extraordinary eight hours. Yeldandi posted a picture of the session, noting simply: 'The first meeting with DSP Sir...it was 8 hours long discussion....' The anecdote has since become part of the film's promotional narrative, signalling the depth of creative alignment between actor and director.

When a glimpse video from the film was released, Devi Sri Prasad penned a lengthy note of gratitude, drawing a parallel between his musical debut — which he attributed to the blessings of the goddess Devi — and this new acting chapter, which he described as beginning 'with the blessings of Yellamma.' He credited producer Dil Raju and director Venu Yeldandi for placing their trust in him, and paid tribute to his late guru, Mandolin U Shrinivas.

The makers, in their own words, positioned the debut with a note: 'Presenting Rockstar DSP who has always rocked your hearts with blockbuster music now in a new avatar.'

What to Watch For

With Yellamma slated for a 5 March 2026 release, the title song recording marks a significant production milestone. The convergence of Devi Sri Prasad's pan-India folk outreach with his personal ancestral ties to the subject gives the project a unique positioning in the Telugu film calendar. How audiences respond to his on-screen presence — after decades of his music defining their cinematic experience — will be one of the more closely watched storylines of early 2026.