Tirru joins Ram Pothineni's #RAPO23 as cinematographer for directorial debut
Synopsis
Ram Pothineni's directorial debut just got a major technical boost — ace cinematographer Tirru is on board #RAPO23, a neo-noir psychological action thriller where Pothineni writes, directs, and plays the lead. With a December 2026 release in sight and regular shoot beginning this June, this is one of Tollywood's most closely watched debuts.
Key Takeaways
Cinematographer Tirru (Thirunavukarasu) has been confirmed as the DOP for #RAPO23 . #RAPO23 marks Ram Pothineni's directorial debut; he also writes the screenplay and plays the lead character Veera .
The film is a psychological action thriller set in a neo-noir world — a rare genre in Telugu cinema.
Produced by Krishna Pothineni under the RAPO Cinematics banner.
Regular shoot begins in June 2025 , with a December 2026 theatrical release targeted.
Ace cinematographer Thirunavukarasu, widely known as Tirru, has been confirmed as the director of photography for #RAPO23, the directorial debut of Telugu star Ram Pothineni. The announcement was made on Saturday by production house RAPO Cinematics via its official X account, adding a major technical name to a project that has already generated considerable buzz in Telugu film circles.
The Official Announcement
In its post on X, RAPO Cinematics described Tirru as 'a master craftsman behind the visual spectacles' and confirmed he is 'ready to enter into the Neo-noir world of #RAPO23.' The production house noted the film stars Ram Pothineni and is written, directed, and produced by Krishna Pothineni under the RAPO Cinematics banner.
What We Know About #RAPO23
#RAPO23 is a psychological action thriller — a genre rarely explored in mainstream Telugu cinema. Ram Pothineni, who both writes and directs the film, will also play the lead character Veera, described as 'the story of a Lone Wolf.' The project was formally announced on the occasion of Ram Pothineni's birthday, when a striking poster was unveiled showing him from behind, clad in a leather jacket with a sharp V-cut hairstyle, set against a dark, crime-infested cityscape dominated by a bold red 'V' — symbolising Veera's sense of rebellion and danger.
The tagline 'The Story of a Lone Wolf' signals a protagonist driven by solitude, instinct, and psychological complexity — a departure from the conventional Telugu action hero archetype.
Ram Pothineni's Expanding Creative Role
This directorial venture marks a significant creative leap for Ram Pothineni, who had already expanded his artistic footprint with his previous film 'Andhra King Taluka' — where he turned lyricist and also lent his vocals for the first time. Sources close to the unit describe #RAPO23 as a 'powerful and groundbreaking narrative' conceived entirely by the actor-director himself, with his transformation into the Veera persona already evident in the announcement poster's styling and mood.
Production Timeline and What's Next
Regular shoot for #RAPO23 is set to commence in June 2025, with the makers targeting a December 2026 release. Additional cast members and further crew details are expected to be revealed in the coming days, according to sources close to the production. With Tirru's visual sensibility now confirmed, the project's neo-noir aesthetic has a strong technical foundation to build on.
Point of View
But rarely one who simultaneously writes, directs, and stars in a psychological neo-noir. Casting Tirru, whose visual grammar leans atmospheric and textured, signals that this isn't a vanity project. The real test will be whether the neo-noir ambition translates on screen or gets diluted into a conventional mass-action template, which is the genre pressure every Tollywood debut faces. December 2026 is a competitive release window, and the film will need more than a striking poster to hold its ground.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the cinematographer of Ram Pothineni's #RAPO23?
Ace cinematographer Tirru (Thirunavukarasu) has been roped in as the director of photography for #RAPO23. The announcement was made by RAPO Cinematics on its official X account on Saturday.
What is #RAPO23 about?
#RAPO23 is a psychological action thriller set in a neo-noir world, written and directed by Ram Pothineni himself. He also plays the lead character Veera, described as 'the story of a Lone Wolf.'
When will #RAPO23 release?
The makers have targeted a December 2026 theatrical release for #RAPO23. Regular shoot is set to begin in June 2025, with further cast and crew announcements expected in the coming days.
Who is producing #RAPO23?
#RAPO23 is produced by Krishna Pothineni under the newly formed RAPO Cinematics banner. It marks Ram Pothineni's directorial debut alongside his role as the film's lead actor and writer.
What makes #RAPO23 significant for Telugu cinema?
The film is notable on multiple fronts — it is Ram Pothineni's directorial debut, a psychological action thriller in a genre rarely explored in mainstream Telugu cinema, and features the actor in a completely new avatar as the character Veera.
