January 12 Vidudala Kazakhstan schedule begins with Venkatesh, Kalyan Ram
Synopsis
Anil Ravipudi's big-budget Telugu entertainer 'January 12 Vidudala' has taken its production to Kazakhstan, where Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram are filming a grand action sequence and a song for a Sankranthi 2027 release — signalling the scale at which this two-hero family action film is being mounted.
Key Takeaways
'January 12 Vidudala' starring Venkatesh and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram is currently filming in Kazakhstan .
A power-packed action sequence choreographed by Real Satish and a song by Sekhar Master are being shot on location.
The unit previously completed schedules in Mysuru and Ooty before the international leg.
Colonel Venkat Reddy , a counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation specialist in the Indian Army.
The film is slated for a theatrical release on 12 January 2027 , targeting the Sankranthi holiday window.
Music is by GV Prakash Kumar ; the film is produced by Sahu Garapati under Shine Screens .
The production team behind director Anil Ravipudi's upcoming Telugu family entertainer 'January 12 Vidudala' confirmed on Thursday, 5 November 2026 that the film's latest shooting schedule is now underway in Kazakhstan, with lead stars Venkatesh and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram filming high-octane sequences on location. The announcement was made by production house Shine Screens across its official social media channels.
What Is Being Shot in Kazakhstan
According to Shine Screens, both Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram are currently filming a 'power-packed action sequence' as well as a 'spectacular song' against the backdrop of Kazakhstan's landscapes. The action block is being choreographed by renowned stunt director Real Satish, while the song is being shot under the direction of celebrated choreographer Sekhar Master. Sources close to the unit describe the action sequence as being designed on a grand scale, noting that it is expected to be one of the film's major highlights.
Shooting Trail: From Mysuru to Ooty to Central Asia
The Kazakhstan leg follows an extensive domestic production trail. The unit previously completed schedules in Mysuru, Karnataka, where all four principal cast members — Venkatesh, Kalyan Ram, Keerthy Suresh, and Krithi Shetty — were on set, and a song was filmed. The team then moved to Ooty in Tamil Nadu before relocating to Central Asia for this current international schedule.
Venkatesh's Character and First Look
The makers recently unveiled Venkatesh's first look in the film, revealing him as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy of the Indian Army. The poster, released to coincide with the star completing 40 years in the Telugu film industry, depicted him in an Army camouflage uniform alongside an Army insignia and crossed-swords emblem. His character is described as an officer specialising in counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation.
Cast, Crew and Release Date
Produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner and presented by Suresh Productions Archana and Zee Studios, the film features Keerthy Suresh opposite Venkatesh and Krithi Shetty paired with Kalyan Ram. Music is composed by GV Prakash Kumar, with cinematography by Sameer Reddy, editing by Tammiraju, and production design by AS Prakash. Actor Sriman, also part of the cast, shared his enthusiasm on X about being involved in a song choreographed by dance master Brinda — his first collaboration with her in nearly eight years. The film carries a confirmed theatrical release date of 12 January 2027, targeting the Sankranthi holiday window.
With a marquee Sankranthi release slot locked in and production now spanning multiple countries, all eyes will be on how the film positions itself against rival releases in that competitive festive corridor.
Point of View
Particularly for two-hero actioners targeting the lucrative Sankranthi window. 'January 12 Vidudala' is positioning itself as a mass entertainer with military-action credentials — a template Anil Ravipudi has calibrated carefully across his career. Venkatesh's 40-year milestone and the Army-officer character framing are deliberate brand moves. The real test will be whether the film can hold its own against rival Sankranthi releases that are likely to emerge in the coming weeks.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'January 12 Vidudala' and when does it release?
'January 12 Vidudala' is a Telugu-language family entertainer directed by Anil Ravipudi, starring Venkatesh and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram in the lead roles. It is scheduled for a theatrical release on 12 January 2027, targeting the Sankranthi festive window.
What is being filmed during the Kazakhstan schedule?
The Kazakhstan schedule includes a large-scale action sequence choreographed by stunt director Real Satish and a song choreographed by Sekhar Master, both featuring Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram. Sources describe the action block as one of the film's major highlights.
Who are the lead cast and crew of 'January 12 Vidudala'?
The film stars Venkatesh and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, with Keerthy Suresh paired opposite Venkatesh and Krithi Shetty opposite Kalyan Ram. Music is composed by GV Prakash Kumar, cinematography is by Sameer Reddy, and the film is produced by Sahu Garapati under Shine Screens.
What character does Venkatesh play in the film?
Venkatesh plays Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy, an Indian Army officer specialising in counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation. The character was revealed through his first look poster, which was released to mark his 40 years in the Telugu film industry.
Where else has the film been shot before Kazakhstan?
Prior to the Kazakhstan schedule, the unit completed filming in Mysuru in Karnataka and Ooty in Tamil Nadu. During the Mysuru shoot, all four principal cast members — Venkatesh, Kalyan Ram, Keerthy Suresh, and Krithi Shetty — were present on set.
