Riding on strong pre-release buzz and growing digital traction, Rakasa is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing Telugu releases this summer. Produced by Niharika Konidela under Pink Elephant Pictures in collaboration with Zee Studios, the film marks the feature directorial debut of Manasa Sharma.
Headlined by Sangeeth Sobhan and Nayan Sarika, Rakasa is positioned as a fantasy adventure comedy rooted in folklore, with stylised visuals designed for a theatrical experience.
In a recent interaction ahead of the trailer launch, director Manasa Sharma spoke about the film’s concept, her journey, and what sets Rakasa apart.
Manasa Sharma, known for her work in the digital space with projects like “Bench Life” and “Oka Chinna Family Story“, describes “Rakasa” as her fourth project and her most ambitious yet. “This is a fantasy adventure comedy. While the teaser may give a hint of horror, that is only a tool within the narrative. The core of the film lies in fantasy, storytelling, and entertainment,” she explains.
At the heart of Rakasa is a concept inspired by Indian folklore. “The film is largely fictional—about 90 percent—but the core idea comes from our folklore. It’s like taking a Chandamama-style story and blending it with stylised technology and comedy. The visuals and narrative are designed primarily for the big screen,” she says, underlining the film’s theatrical focus.
The project took shape organically. Sharma reveals that the initial idea was pitched during a meeting, and actor Sangeeth Sobhan showed immediate interest. “The story was not written for any specific actor initially. But once Sangeeth heard the idea, he connected with it, and we decided to develop it into a theatrical film,” she shares.
On casting, Sharma emphasises suitability over familiarity. “We chose actors based on how well they fit the characters—their performances, mannerisms, and presence. Sangeeth was the best fit for the role, and Nayan Sarika brings significant variation compared to her earlier work. She is a director’s actor,” she notes.
Backed by Pink Elephant Pictures, the film was mounted on a relatively higher budget compared to Sharma’s previous projects. Despite that, she says the team maintained strict control over costs. “We were very conscious about staying within budget, especially since the film involves VFX. Planning and execution were aligned from day one,” she explains.
A significant portion of Rakasa relies on visual effects, particularly in the second half. To streamline the process, the team adopted a strategic shooting schedule. “We shot the VFX-heavy portions first so that post-production could begin early. While that work was ongoing, we completed the rest of the film,” Sharma says, highlighting the efficiency of the workflow.
The film’s visual world was brought to life by production designer Ramanjaneyulu and art director Vishnu Vardhan, working closely with Sharma’s imagination-led narrative. “Since the story is entirely from my imagination, collaboration with the art and VFX teams was crucial. Technology helped translate ideas more clearly onto screen,” she adds.
Sharma credits legendary filmmaker B. Vittalacharya as her biggest inspiration. “I grew up watching his films. He created magical worlds without the kind of technology we have today. That sense of wonder stayed with me,” she says.
Produced by Niharika Konidela, Sharma describes the experience as creatively enabling. “She strikes the right balance between creative involvement and giving directors freedom. The production team ensured we stayed on schedule and maintained quality,” she notes.
With music by Anudeep Dev, Rakasa has already built momentum online. The title glimpse has crossed 1.9 million views, while the teaser has surpassed 3 million views. Songs like “Rapappa,” “Padhe Padhe,” and “Snake Dance” have also crossed the million mark, indicating strong audience interest ahead of release.
Featuring a supporting cast that includes Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, Ashish Vidyarthi and Getup Srinu, Rakasa blends fantasy, humour, and folklore into a visually driven narrative aimed at delivering a theatrical spectacle.
Rakasa is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 3, 2026.
