Telugu star Ram Pothineni, a multi-faceted and versatile performer, is officially stepping into direction with his upcoming film, tentatively being referred to as Rapo23. The psychological action thriller was announced on the occasion of the actor’s birthday, creating massive excitement among fans.
It may be recalled that Ram Pothineni had surprised audiences by turning a lyricist with his previous film Andhra King Taluka, and lending his vocals for the first time. Now, the actor has donned the director’s hat, marking his debut as a filmmaker.
Ram Pothineni shares first poster from Rapo23
Ram unveiled a striking birthday special poster that introduced his character Veera.
The poster radiates a dark, intense, and gritty tone featuring Ram from behind, clad in a leather jacket. His sharp, V-cut hairstyle amplifies the raw attitude of the character. Dominating the backdrop is a bold red “V”, symbolizing both Veera and a sense of rebellion, danger, and dominance. The faint outlines of towering skyscrapers on either side evoke a cold, crime-infested cityscape.
An exciting journey begins with all your love & blessings. 🖤
Introducing “𝙑𝙀𝙀𝙍𝘼” in #RAPO23 🔥
-the story of a Lone Wolf. 🐺Genre: Psychological Action Thriller.
Written & Directed by #𝙍𝘼𝙋𝙊
Produced by Krishna Pothineni
A @RAPO_Cinematics Production.December 2026… pic.twitter.com/m9dkC0XMb7
— RAm POthineni (@ramsayz) May 15, 2026
Taking to his X timeline to make the announcement, Ram wrote, “An exciting journey begins with all your love & blessings. Introducing “Veera” in RAPO23 -the story of a Lone Wolf. Genre: Psychological Action Thriller. Written & Directed by RAPO. Produced by Krishna Pothineni. A RAPO_Cinematics Production. December 2026 Release.”
Adding to the mystery, the tagline “The Story of a Lone Wolf” hints at a protagonist driven by solitude, instinct, and a complex psychological landscape.
More about Rapo23
The project is set to be a stylish psychological action thriller – a genre rarely explored in Telugu cinema.
Sources close to the unit say Rapo23 was a powerful and groundbreaking narrative conceived by Ram Pothineni himself for his directorial debut. He is set to portray Veera in a completely new, never-before-seen avatar, and the transformation was already evident in the announcement poster’s styling and mood.
The film’s regular shoot is set to begin in June, with the makers eyeing a December release this year. Further details about the cast and technical crew will be revealed in the coming days, the sources added.
RAPO23 will be produced by Krishna Pothineni under the newly formed Rapo Cinematics banner.
Interestingly, with this move, Ram joins the elite league of stars-turned-directors such as Sr. NTR, Krishna, and Pawan Kalyan.
