Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas Unveils Kishkindhapuri: A New Horror Era Begins in Telugu Cinema

Tollywood fans are buzzing with excitement as Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas dropped a chilling surprise on X this morning, announcing his 11th film, previously known as BSS11, now officially titled Kishkindhapuri. The first-look poster, shared at 5:55 AM IST, promises a spine-tingling horror experience, with a glimpse set to release on April 29, 2025. Teaming up once again with Anupama Parameswaran, Sreenivas is diving into uncharted territory with this eerie project, and the industry is taking notice.

The poster sets a haunting tone: Sreenivas and Anupama stand in a foggy forest, holding flashlights, with a shadowy building labeled “Suvarnamaya” looming in the background. The title Kishkindhapuri, written in bold Telugu script, hints at a mythological connection—Kishkindha being the monkey kingdom from the Ramayana, ruled by Sugriva. Could this be a horror story steeped in ancient lore? Fans on X are already speculating, with one user, @bunnyannacult22, commenting, “Interesting ga vundabotundi aythe e sari #KishkindhapuriFirstGlimpse,” reflecting the anticipation building online.

Sreenivas and Anupama are no strangers to working together. Their 2019 thriller Rakshasudu, a Telugu remake of the Tamil hit Ratsasan, was a box-office success, grossing over ₹30 crore. That film showcased their chemistry in a crime-thriller setting, but Kishkindhapuri marks a bold shift to horror—a genre that’s been gaining traction in South Indian cinema. Just last year, the Tamil film Conjuring Kannappan blended horror and comedy to earn ₹45 crore, proving there’s an appetite for spooky stories. Telugu cinema, however, has often struggled to balance regional flavors with broader appeal in this genre, as seen with the 2022 film Viruman, which faltered outside Andhra Pradesh.

Directed by Koushik Pegallapati, who previously helmed the 2022 psychological thriller 10th Class Diaries, Kishkindhapuri is backed by Shine Screens, a production house known for experimental projects like the 2023 sci-fi drama Hi Nanna. Pegallapati’s earlier work received mixed reviews for its pacing, but fans are hopeful he’ll bring a fresh perspective to horror. The music, composed by Sam CS and Chaitan Bharadwaj, is another highlight—Sam CS scored the original Ratsasan, and his knack for intense background scores could elevate the film’s atmosphere. Junglee Music South, handling the audio rights, previously delivered a hit soundtrack for Shine Screens’ Premadesam in 2023, raising expectations for Kishkindhapuri’s score.

Sreenivas, known for his action-packed roles in films like Alludu Seenu—which earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut in 2014—has a fanbase that loves his high-energy performances. Trained in martial arts in Vietnam, he might bring some action flair to this horror flick, a potential draw for his loyal followers. Anupama, fresh off the 2024 blockbuster Tillu Square, which raked in ₹135 crore, is expected to shine in emotionally charged scenes, a strength she displayed in her breakout Malayalam film Premam back in 2016.

The timing of the announcement is strategic, though not without challenges. April 2025 is a crowded month for Telugu cinema, with big releases like Pawan Kalyan’s historical drama Hari Hara Veera Mallu on the horizon. However, the involvement of publicist Vamsi Shekar, who recently handled promotions for the pan-Indian hit Kalki 2898 AD, suggests a robust marketing push for Kishkindhapuri across South India. The film’s forest setting, a trend popularized by the 2023 Malayalam horror Bhoothakaalam, adds a layer of visual intrigue, tapping into the region’s growing fascination with supernatural tales, as seen in the 2024 Kannada hit Shakhahaari.

With Sreenivas’s father, producer Bellamkonda Suresh, and his actor brother Ganesh Bellamkonda also making waves in the industry, the family’s legacy adds extra buzz to the project. As the first glimpse nears, Kishkindhapuri is shaping up to be a bold step into horror for Sreenivas and Anupama, potentially ushering in a new era for Telugu cinema. Will it deliver the chills fans are craving? We’ll find out on April 29.