Rakasa is heading to theatres on April 3. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Movie Makers has acquired the theatrical rights in a high-value agreement for the Telugu States. Atharvana Bhadrakali Pictures plans to release Rakasa across more than 350 international screens.
Pink Elephant Pictures and Z Studios have worked with Sangeeth Shoban and Nayan Sarika. The ensemble lineup includes Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, Pokiri fame Ashish Vidyardhi, and Jabardasth comedian Getup Srinu.
In this interview, director Manasa Sharma talks about the film and why it should be watched on the big screen.
I am a post-graduate from Srikakulam, and Rakasa marks my fourth project and debut feature film. My journey began with the Mad House series on YouTube in 2018, followed by creating and writing Oka Chinna Family Story (for ZEE5) and directing the Bench Life (for SonyLIV) web series. I have always been deeply inspired by the yesteryear director, B. Vittalacharya. Growing up with his films thanks to my grandmother, I was fascinated by how he created such wonder and excitement long before the era of VFX. This passion for folklore is why I chose to pursue a fantasy debut.
Rakasa is a fantasy adventure comedy rooted in Indian folklore, resembling a Chandamama story enhanced by modern technology and style. While the teaser might suggest a horror vibe, that genre is merely a tool within a much larger fictional narrative. The title translates to Devil in English, but the trailer provides the necessary context regarding the specific nature of that entity. This film is designed specifically for the theatrical experience. Original writing and imagination are blended into a fresh screenplay and character drive.
The casting was driven by finding the right fit for the characters rather than writing for specific stars. Sangeeth Sobhan was the best fit due to his performance style and mannerisms; he is a very conscious actor who collaborated well with the team. I chose Nayan Sarika (of AAY and KA fame) because she is a true director’s actress. Her performance in Rakasa is significantly different from her work in Bench Life. She is versatile.
My collaboration with Niharika Konidela and Pink Elephant Pictures has been seamless because of our established history. Niharika is an excellent producer who perfectly balances creative involvement with giving a director their freedom. She was impressed by the story within twenty minutes of narration. While some might hear rumors about external source material, this script is entirely my own creation. Regarding a special screening for Mega Power Star Ram Charan, that decision rests entirely with my producer.
Managing a higher budget and a debut feature brought a greater sense of responsibility compared to OTT. My prior experience with multi-episode series made the production process feel familiar. We remained flexible and conscious of costs. The film was wrapped up within the planned budget. To manage the extensive VFX efficiently, we shot the second-half sequences first. This allowed the VFX team to work while we filmed the first half. That way, we could complete the project in the stipulated one year timeframe.
The technical departments were essential in bringing my imagination to life. Production designer Ramanjaneyulu and art director Vishnu Vardhan used modern technology to execute my vision smoothly. On the visual effects side, Murali and his team provided invaluable input, even keeping a supervisor on set to prevent errors. For the music, I chose Anudeep Dev because I was familiar with his talent and personal work ethic. The composer's work has reflected the confidence we placed in him. Rapappa, Padhe Padhe, and Snake Dance have been successful songs.
