Riteish Deshmukh is set to make his Telugu cinema debut as the antagonist in #RAPO23, a psychological action thriller that also marks Ram Pothineni’s directorial debut. The makers announced Deshmukh’s casting on October 19, coinciding with the start of a new shooting schedule in Hyderabad. The film brings together two significant career milestones: Ram will play the lead role while directing the project, while Deshmukh will take on a negative role in his first Telugu-language film.
The casting establishes an intriguing dynamic between the two actors. Deshmukh, who has worked extensively across Hindi and Marathi cinema, will share the screen with Ram in a story that combines psychological tension with action. Although the makers have not disclosed the full details of Deshmukh’s character, his antagonist role places him in opposition to the film’s central character. How their conflict unfolds remains under wraps.
The project marks a new chapter beyond acting for Ram Pothineni. He is stepping behind the camera for the first time while continuing to play the lead, taking on responsibilities on both sides of the filmmaking process. The project is being developed as a psychological action thriller, a genre that draws on suspense, atmosphere and complex character dynamics to build tension. The film gives Ram an opportunity to explore a different approach to storytelling while shaping the central performance.
Deshmukh’s casting also adds another notable antagonist role to his filmography. He previously portrayed a memorable negative character in Ek Villain and has appeared in films such as Raid 2 and Raja Shivaji. His career has moved between comedy, drama and darker roles, making his casting in #RAPO23 a notable addition to his body of work. However, the makers have yet to reveal enough about his character to establish how the role compares with his previous performances.
The film brings together a technical team with experience across different aspects of large-scale filmmaking. Samyuktha plays the female lead, while Krishna Pothineni is producing the project under the Rapo Cinematics banner. Cinematographer Thirunavukarasu, also known as Tirru, is handling the visuals, with Sam CS composing the music and AS Prakash serving as production designer. Action choreographers Peter Hein, Vikram Mor and Kevin are also part of the team, contributing to the film’s action sequences.
The latest production update was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes video showing Deshmukh arriving on set and Ram welcoming him. The footage offers a glimpse of the actors coming together for the Hyderabad schedule but does not reveal details about their characters or the storyline. As filming progresses, further updates may provide more information about the film’s setting and the roles played by its principal cast.
The combination of two career firsts gives #RAPO23 a distinct point of interest at this stage. Deshmukh is entering Telugu cinema through an antagonist role, while Ram is making his directorial debut without stepping away from the lead. With its neo-noir setting and psychological thriller elements, the film offers both actors an opportunity to explore new creative territory. The story and release plans remain under wraps as production continues.