Sukumar Gives Thumbs-Up to Rao Bahadur, Boosts Pre-Release Buzz

Rao Bahadur has received a major pre-release boost after National Award-winning filmmaker Sukumar watched the film at a special screening and appreciated the team, further raising expectations for the much-awaited psychological drama. The endorsement from the director of the blockbuster Pushpa franchise comes just days before the film's worldwide theatrical release on July 3 , adding significant momentum to its promotional campaign.

The buzz began when the official Rao Bahadur X (formerly Twitter) handle shared a candid photograph of Sukumar and lead actor Satyadev exchanging a warm fist bump. The makers accompanied the image with the cryptic caption: "MAVERICK meets MADNESS. Guess who's seated for #RaoBahadur. Waiting for his response." The post instantly sparked speculation among fans before it was confirmed that Sukumar had attended a private screening and conveyed his appreciation to the cast and crew.

Directed by Venkatesh Maha , the filmmaker behind critically acclaimed films C/o Kancharapalem and Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya , Rao Bahadur marks his most ambitious project to date. Set against the backdrop of a fading aristocracy , the film explores the destructive power of doubt, reflected in its intriguing tagline, "Doubt is a Deadly Demon." The film blends psychological drama, suspense, dark comedy, and magical realism , offering audiences a fresh cinematic experience.

Lead actor Satyadev reportedly underwent an extensive physical transformation for the role, spending nearly five hours a day in prosthetic makeup . The film was shot at authentic heritage locations, including a historic fort in Odisha , while the production retained original architecture and period aesthetics to preserve authenticity.

Adding to the film's growing credibility, Mahesh Babu , who is presenting the project under GMB Entertainment , recently described Rao Bahadur as "strange, beautiful and intensely dramatic" , calling it "a film that gets under your skin." He praised Venkatesh Maha's vision, Satyadev's performance, Deepa Thomas , and the technical team for delivering a distinctive cinematic experience.

Produced by A+S Movies in association with SriChakraas Entertainments and presented by GMB Entertainment , Rao Bahadur is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Telugu releases of the year. With appreciation now coming from both Mahesh Babu and Sukumar , the film has generated strong positive momentum ahead of its theatrical debut on July 3 .