Anil Ravipudi Unveils Rayalaseema Backdrop For Venkatesh And Kalyan Ram's First Film Together

Filmmaker Anil Ravipudi has begun work on his next directorial venture, a multistarrer marking the first ever screen pairing of Venkatesh and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, launched with a traditional pooja ceremony in Hyderabad. Currently known by the working titles VenkyAnil5 and NKRAR2 , the film is produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, presented jointly by Suresh Productions, Zee Studios and Smt Archana, and is being targeted for a Sankranthi 2027 release.

The launch event drew several industry veterans, with legendary director K Raghavendra Rao helming the honorary first shot, Allu Aravind sounding the clapboard, and producers Dil Raju and Shirish formally handing the script to Ravipudi and Garapati. Writer KV Vijayendra Prasad and producer Suresh Babu were also present, underscoring the project's scale within the Telugu industry. For Ravipudi, the film also reunites him with Kalyan Ram, who featured in his directorial debut, Pataas.

Ahead of regular shooting, which begins June 22, the makers released a promotional video titled Kathi Lanti Idea featuring the lead cast alongside Ravipudi, offering a glimpse of the film's tone. Speaking about the project, Ravipudi confirmed the story is set in Rayalaseema, a region long associated with faction based action dramas, but said this film would present the backdrop through a lighter, more entertaining lens consistent with his trademark comic style.

Keerthy Suresh has been paired opposite Venkatesh, while Krithi Shetty plays Kalyan Ram's love interest, with music composed by GV Prakash Kumar. The film arrives on the back of Ravipudi's recent box office success with Mana ShankaraVaraprasad Garu, in which Venkatesh appeared in an extended cameo.