Under the banners of Sri Jaganmatha Renuka Creations and Four Founders, the film “Raja Markandeya” directed by Bunny Ashwanth and jointly produced by Sama Sridhar and Panjala Venkat Goud had its audio launch on January 27 at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad. The film carries the tagline “The Hunt Begins”. Co-producers Gaurisetti Srinivas and Bunny Ashwanth are part of this venture, with music by SK Meeravali, Rayarao Visweshwar Rao, and Satyadeep.

The audio launch event was graced by senior actor Suman, Prathani Ramakrishna Goud, actor Tejas Veeramachineni, actresses Romi, Devika, and Pratyusha, director Bunny Ashwanth, producers Sama Sridhar and Panjala Venkat Goud, and co-producer Gaurisetti Srinivas. Other notable attendees included former Tourism Chairman Srinivas Gupta, High Court advocate Rapolu Bhaskar, comedian Shankar Narayana, social worker-producer Dr. Moosa Ali Khan, Katakam Srinivas Gupta, Insta-famous couple Kaviraj, and social worker Gangapuram Padma Goud, among others.

At the event, the film’s songs were unveiled by the esteemed guests, the teaser was launched by advocate Rapolu Bhaskar, and the trailer was released by actor Suman.

Speaking at the event, actor Suman said, “The songs of Raja Markandeya are excellent. The teaser and trailer indicate that this is a content-driven film. Even though most of the team consists of newcomers, it is evident that the film has a solid story. We must encourage such new talents, as they are the future of good cinema. The song on Lord Shiva is outstanding and is bound to resonate in temples during the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival. I wish the film success and hope it brings profits to the producers and director.”

Music composers SK Meeravali and Rayarao Visweshwar Rao expressed their gratitude, saying, “Under Bunny’s guidance, the Four Founders team gave us the opportunity to compose music for this film. It’s because of them that we could enter the industry. We hope the audio and the film achieve great success.”

Prathani Ramakrishna Goud, speaking at the event, said, “Director Bunny is one of us, and he is very talented. The producers hail from our district, and they have worked hard to make this film. The songs and trailer are excellent, and I am confident the film will be a hit.”

Director Bunny Ashwanth, reflecting on his journey, said, “I have been in the industry for 20 years and faced numerous challenges. Making a film has always been my dream. I thank the producers and my friends for their support. The story revolves around the hardships faced by Markandeya, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and how he overcame them with Shiva’s blessings. SK Meeravali has given us amazing music, and all the artists and technicians have worked incredibly hard. My lifelong goal is to continue giving opportunities to newcomers and make meaningful films. I am confident the audience will love our work.”

Producer Sama Sridhar remarked, “It’s only because of Bunny Ashwanth that we could make this film. We trusted the story and brought it to life. The hero Tejas, heroines Romi, Devika, and Pratyusha, and the entire team worked tirelessly for this project. I extend my special thanks to all of them and to our friends who helped us. The film has turned out well, and I am sure the audience will enjoy it.”

The lead actor and actresses also expressed their gratitude to the producers and director for giving them the opportunity.

Child artist Gagana Geethika who played the role of Payal in “Daku Maharaj”, is receiving immense praise.

The young actress, Gagana Geethika, says, “Getting the opportunity to act in Daku Maharaj itself was a great privilege. Sharing screen space with Balayya (Nandamuri Balakrishna) and receiving his compliments is something I’ll never forget.” Reminding us of the saying, “Small bird… but with a mighty chirp,” this little firecracker first caught the industry’s attention at the tender age of four-and-a-half through TikTok videos. She made her acting debut as a child artist in the film Lawyer Vishwanath. Her second movie was followed by performances in RRR, Narappa, 18 Pages, and Tellavarithe Guruvaram, where she honed her talent by portraying the younger versions of heroines.

Gagana further impressed audiences with her roles in 90’s Middle-Class Biopic, The Great Indian Suicide, and Prema Vimanam. She is currently playing the role of Tamannaah’s younger version in Odela Railway Station-2. While continuing to act in films, Gagana ensures her education is not neglected. She considers her father, Sriteja, as her inspiration. Passionate about cinema, Sriteja entered the industry while supporting his family. To pursue his passion, he ventured into the animation field and worked towards establishing his mark as an actor. Sriteja played the lead role in the movie Hyderabad Dreams and gained recognition with supporting roles as a hero’s friend in various films. He also earned a good reputation with TV serials like Krishnathulasi and Yedaloyalo Indradanussu.

Balancing tradition and modernity, Gagana is learning classical Kuchipudi dance while also practicing western dance styles. She expresses her overwhelming happiness over Daku Maharaj becoming the biggest blockbuster of Balayya’s career, and particularly cherishes her role as Payal, which serves as a key turning point in the story. Grateful to Balayya for his kindness and encouragement, and to director Bobby for giving her this opportunity, Gagana promises to continue growing as a performer. Let’s wish her all the best for a bright future!

Actor Sairam Shankar returns with a bang in the suspense thriller “Oka Pathakam Prakaram”, directed by Vinod Kumar Vijayan and produced under the banners of Vinod Vihaan Films and Vihari Cinema House Pvt. Ltd. The movie is set to release on February 7, across 300+ theaters worldwide, distributed by Sri Lakshmi Films.

Highlights from
the Press Meet:

A press meet was held to share the film’s details, attended by lead actor Sairam Shankar, producers Garlapati Ramesh and Vinod Kumar Vijayan, co-producers Jinu Malli and Swathi Kalyani, and distributor Bapiraju.

Unique Challenge:

Sairam Shankar
announced a special offer:

If viewers can guess the villain’s identity before the interval, 50 winners (one per theater from 50 select theaters) will receive a cash prize of ₹10,000 each!

Actor’s Comeback Film:

Sairam Shankar described the movie as a turning point in his career, saying,
“This is definitely my comeback film. I play Siddharth Neelakantha, a public prosecutor, a role that required immense authenticity. I even trained at the National School of Drama for a month to refine my performance.”

He further added that working with director Vinod Kumar Vijayan, a National and Berlin Award-winning filmmaker, was a privilege. The film boasts a technically rich experience, with a team of National Award-winning technicians contributing to its production.

About the Film:

Director Vinod Kumar Vijayan shared his love for Telugu culture and cinema, saying, “Every 3-4 scenes in the movie have a twist. The two songs, sung by Sid Sriram, propel the story forward. The cinematography by Rajeev Rai and Gopi Sundar’s background score are major highlights of the film.”

Producer Garlapati Ramesh and co-producers expressed their excitement to be part of this project.

Cast and Crew:

Lead Cast: Shruti Sodhi, Ashima Narwal, Samuthirakani, Ravi Pachamuthu, Bhanu Shree, Garlapati Kalpalata, Pallavi Gowda

Director: Vinod Kumar Vijayan

Producers: Vinod Kumar Vijayan, Garlapati Ramesh

Co-producers: Jinu Malli, Swathi Kalyani

Music: Rahul Raj (Songs), Gopi Sundar (Background Score)

Cinematography: Rajeev Rai

Editing: Karthik Jogesh

Lyrics: Rahman

Singer: Sid Sriram

PRO: Pulagam Chinnarayana


With twists, engaging performances, and a compelling narrative, Oka Pathakam Prakaram is poised to captivate audiences when it releases
on February 7.

By the time SATYA was rolling to an end , while watching it 2 days back for 1st time after 27 yrs, I started choking with tears rolling down my cheeks and I dint care if anyone would see
The tears were not just for the film, but were more for what happened since

Making a film is like giving birth to a child originating from throes of passion without truly realising what kind of a child I am giving birth to
That’s because a film is made in in bits and pieces without one really knowing what’s being made and when it is ready the concentration is on what others are saying about it and after that ,whether it’s a hit or not, I  move on too obsessed with what’s next to reflect and understand the beauty of what i myself created

Till 2 days back I ignored the countless inspirations it sparked by dismissing it as just another step in my journey towards an objective less destination

Coming back to the hotel after the screening of SATYA, and sitting in the dark i I din’t understand why with all my so called intelligence, I did not  set this film as a benchmark for whatever I should  do in the future
I also realised I didn’t just cry for the tragedy in that film but I also cried in joy for that version of myself  .. And I cried in guilt for my betrayals of all those who trusted me due to SATYA

I became drunk not on alcohol but on my own success and my arrogance though I didn’t know this till 2 days back
When the bright lights of a RANGEELA  or a SATYA blinded me, i lost my vision and that explains my meandering into making films for shock value or for gimmick effect or to make a vulgar display of my technical wizardry or various other things equally meaningless and in that careless process,  forgetting such a simple truth that technique utmost can elevate a given content but it can’t carry it  .

Some of my later films might have been successful but I do not believe that any of them had the same honesty and integrity which is in SATYA

My very unique vision that drove me to create something path breaking in cinema also blinded me to the value of what i myself made and I became a man hurriedly running so fast looking up towards the horizon.  that I forgot to look down at the garden I’d planted beneath my feet , and that explains my various falls from grace

I obviously can’t make any amends now for what I already did , but i promised myself 2 nights back while wiping away my tears , that every film I make from now onwards will be made with a reverence towards why I wanted to become a director in the 1st place

I might not be able to make a film like SATYA ever again , but not even having an intention to do so is an unpardonable crime against Cinema

I don’t mean that I should keep making films like SATYA but irrespective of the genre or the subject matter the least it should have is the sincerity of SATYA

When Francis Coppola was asked by an interviewer about a film he made after GODFATHER, whether it will be as good , I could see him squirming because i could see that it din’t occur to him

No one asked me about any film I was about to make post SATYA whether it will be as good,  but what’s worse is  that I din’t ask myself

I so wish I could go back in time and made this one cardinal rule for myself , that before deciding on any film to make , I should  watch SATYA once again… If I followed that rule I am sure I would not have made 90% of the films I made since then

I truly mean this as a wake up call to every film maker , who just gets carried away in self indulgence due to his own state of mind at any given moment without measuring it against the standards set by either themselves or others

Finally now i took a vow that whatever little of my life is left , I want to spend it sincerely and create something as worthy as SATYA and this truth I swear on SATYA