Riteish Deshmukh joins Ram Pothineni's #RAPO23 for Telugu debut
Synopsis
Bollywood star Riteish Deshmukh is stepping into Telugu cinema for the first time, joining Ram Pothineni's #RAPO23 — a project where Pothineni is pulling double duty as both director and lead. With a secretive role, a one-kilometre night action set, and a neo-noir world, this cross-industry collaboration is shaping up as one of the more ambitious Telugu productions in the pipeline.
Key Takeaways
Riteish Deshmukh has joined the cast of #RAPO23 , marking his debut in Telugu cinema .
The announcement was made on 19 October 2025 by production house RAPO Cinematics on the occasion of Dussehra .
Ram Pothineni is both directing and starring in the film, playing a character named Veera .
The film is a psychological action thriller set in a neo-noir world , produced by Krishna Pothineni under RAPO Cinematics .
A previous schedule shot a night action sequence across a one-kilometre stretch , designed by Kevin Master and lensed by Tirru .
The cast also includes actress Samyuktha , with music by Sam C S and cinematography by Tirru .
Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh has joined the cast of Ram Pothineni's upcoming Telugu film, tentatively titled #RAPO23, marking what will be his debut in Telugu cinema. The announcement was made on Monday, 19 October 2025, as the production house RAPO Cinematics shared the news across its social media channels, coinciding with the start of a new filming schedule.
Official Welcome and BTS Reveal
Production house RAPO Cinematics officially welcomed Deshmukh with a post that read: 'Welcoming the ever-versatile @Riteishd on board for a very EXCITING ROLE. #RAPO23 New Schedule Begins. #HappyDussehra.' Alongside the announcement, the makers released a behind-the-scenes video clip offering a glimpse of the film's set — though Riteish Deshmukh's face was deliberately kept out of frame, building intrigue around his character. The clip captures his arrival on set and his first interactions with Ram Pothineni.
Ram Pothineni as Director and Lead
#RAPO23 is notable for having Ram Pothineni both directing and starring in the film — a dual responsibility that underscores the personal investment the 'Energetic Star' has in the project. Conceived entirely by Ram himself, the film is described as a unique psychological action thriller set in a gripping neo-noir world. Ram plays a character named Veera in what is billed as one of his most ambitious outings to date. The film is produced by Krishna Pothineni under the RAPO Cinematics banner on a reportedly lavish scale.
A High-Octane September Schedule
The unit had previously wrapped a major filming schedule in September 2025, during which a massive night action sequence was canned. According to sources close to the production, the sequence was shot across a one-kilometre stretch, illuminated end-to-end to create what the makers described as a never-before-seen visual spectacle befitting the film's neo-noir aesthetic. Action choreographer Kevin Master designed the sequence, while National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (known professionally as Tirru) captured the visuals.
Rest of the Key Cast and Crew
Actress Samyuktha was recently welcomed on board the film on the occasion of her birthday, with RAPO Cinematics describing her as a 'newest addition' to the world of #RAPO23. Music for the film is being composed by Sam C S, with Tirru serving as director of photography. The crew also includes stunt director Peter Hein and A S Prakash. This comes amid growing anticipation for what is shaping up to be one of the more distinctive Telugu productions of the current cycle, combining a star-director with a cross-industry cast.
Point of View
And a debut in a neo-noir action thriller is an unusual but potentially high-reward pivot for Deshmukh. The more interesting story here, though, is Ram Pothineni's directorial ambition: the one-kilometre night sequence and a self-conceived psychological thriller suggest a star willing to bet his brand on a genre leap. Whether a first-time director-star can deliver on both fronts — and whether Deshmukh's role carries enough weight to justify the cross-industry billing — are the questions this film will ultimately be judged on.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is #RAPO23 Riteish Deshmukh's first Telugu film?
Yes, #RAPO23 will mark Riteish Deshmukh 's debut in Telugu cinema. The Bollywood actor was officially welcomed on board by the production house on 19 October 2025 .
Who else is in the cast and crew of #RAPO23?
The film features Ram Pothineni in the lead role alongside Riteish Deshmukh and actress Samyuktha . Sam C S is composing the music, Tirru (Thirunavukarasu) is the cinematographer, and Peter Hein and Kevin Master are part of the action team.
What happened during #RAPO23's September 2025 schedule?
During the September 2025 schedule, the unit shot a high-intensity night action sequence across a one-kilometre stretch that was entirely illuminated to suit the film's neo-noir aesthetic. The sequence was choreographed by Kevin Master and photographed by Tirru .
When will #RAPO23 release?
An official release date for #RAPO23 has not yet been announced. The film entered a new schedule on 19 October 2025 , and production is reportedly ongoing on a lavish scale.
