Telugu Zee5 Original ‘Rudravanam PS’ Press Meet

I Absolutely Loved the Photography, Editing and Performances; Shashi Has Done a Wonderful Job, and I’m Sure This Will Be a Hit, Says Harish Shankar, at the grand pre release event of ZEE5’s Seven-Episode Crime Thriller ‘Rudravanam PS’

A disturbing crime can be the beginning of a much larger mystery, where every clue raises new questions and the truth lies buried beneath layers of suspicion. Rudravanam PS, a seven-episode Telugu crime thriller directed by Sasidhar Munnangi and written by Taj Syed, stars Naresh Agastya as SI Sivakumar, an honest police officer drawn into an investigation that reaches beyond the apparent facts of a case. A headless corpse and a missing man set the story in motion, leading towards a web of power, prejudice and long-buried secrets in Rudravanam. The series brings together an ensemble cast and a creative team seeking to build an investigative thriller around the pursuit of truth. The Grand Pre-Release Event brought the cast, crew and prominent industry guests together to discuss the making of the series, their experiences on set and their expectations ahead of its premiere on ZEE5 Telugu on 30 October 2026.

Addressing the gathering, the cast and crew reflected on the opportunities the series offered them, the effort behind its production, the creative possibilities of OTT storytelling and the anticipation surrounding its release.

Reflecting on the opportunity to play a substantial character and acknowledging the encouragement he received from the lead actor and senior performers, actor Narayana Swamy said, Thank you to Harsha for this opportunity, and to our producers, director and the entire direction team, including Poorna, Avinash and Madhu. Most importantly, I want to thank our hero, who encouraged me throughout the process. Though my role in the first two episodes is small, it has turned out very well, and the upcoming episodes will be excellent. Senior actors like Banerjee, Raja Ravindra and Reddy, along with the rest of the team, were incredibly supportive. This is the first time I have been entrusted with such a substantial character, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you all.

Speaking candidly about her first experience addressing a gathering of this kind, actress Sugali Siloni said, Hi everyone. This is my first time speaking like this, so I have a bit of stage fright, but I will do my best. I want to thank our director, Shashi, and co-director Poorna for giving me this opportunity. I am also grateful to my mentor, Vedavyas, and Nataraj sir, who have constantly supported, motivated and guided me. Finally, my thanks to producer Ramesh sir, our hero and everyone involved in the project. Thank you for this opportunity.

Recalling his longstanding friendship with producer Ramesh Puppala and expressing his hope that the project would open new doors for its cast, actor Raja Ravindra said, Ramesh Puppala, the producer of Rudravanam PS, is a very close friend. I worked as an executive producer on his film Mirapakay, directed by Harish Shankar, who is here with us today. It is wonderful to see Puppala producing a film again after such a long time. Vivek Kuchibhotla has also been my friend since before he entered the industry, and this is their first collaboration. I sincerely hope it becomes a super duper hit and brings a great break to all the actors. All the best to our director, Shashi. Thank you.

Speaking about the determination to bring Rudravanam PS to life and his return to the industry after a long gap, producer Ramesh Puppala said, When ZEE invited us to take on Rudravanam PS, we were determined to execute it with immense passion. With the encouragement of Vivek, Madam and everyone at Sri Chakra Films, we worked closely to deliver a strong output. Our director has shot the project wonderfully, and the cinematography and music have also turned out exceptionally well. I thank the ZEE5 management, particularly Anuradha, Harsha and Kiranmayi, and my favourite director, Harish Shankar, for attending. His film was the reason I entered the industry, and I remain grateful to him. My thanks to Raja Ravindra, Banerjee, our hero Naresh Agastya, our heroine and the entire cast. After a long gap, I have returned to the industry, and Vivek Kuchibhotla’s cooperation and support made this possible. Thank you to all my friends in the media.

Reflecting on his association with the producers, the opportunities for creators in the OTT space and the craftsmanship he observed in the series, director Harish Shankar said, Good evening to all my friends in the press. We have been running into each other all week! After a long time, it is wonderful to see Ramesh Puppala at a movie-related event. He gave me my first blockbuster, and we will never forget that. Raja Ravindra was also a great support during that film, helping us bring it to life as we had envisioned. Thank you both. I have known Vivek Kuchibhotla for five or six years; he is like family and helped introduce me to Vishwa Prasad and People Media Factory. I wish this project great success, with Surya from the production side and Shashi from direction—and all the Navagrahas supporting them!

When I was an assistant director, the belief was that you had to work in cinema to learn the craft. Today, aspiring filmmakers can create their own content for YouTube, OTT platforms or satellite television. There are tremendous opportunities. Shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and Money Heist reached audiences across the world without their teams having to promote them in every city. If you have talent, it will reach people regardless of whether you make a film or a web series. Don’t become fixated on the format.

Vivek showed me this content on his laptop. I absolutely loved the photography, editing and performances. The way these elements have come together is a testament to the director’s brilliance; Shashi has done a wonderful job, and his craftsmanship is clearly visible. The cinematography looks as though it belongs on the big screen. I assumed it was shot by a very senior cameraman, but the cinematographer is only 32. The direction team is young, and having Raja Ravindra alongside them is a great strength. The packed venue today also shows how much the industry values Vivek and his work. He is constantly discussing films and web series, and that passion is evident.

I hope Vivek continues making films and Suryakanthi ma’am stays busy with OTT series. Ramesh Puppala, you should not stop with web series; revive Yellow Flowers and make films again. You gave me my entry, and I hope your re-entry is with a film alongside me. Thank you for inviting me.

Commenting on the first two episodes and the way the story, performances, music, cinematography and production values came together, senior actor Banerjee said, We have just watched the first two episodes, and they are absolutely amazing. I congratulate the entire team of Rudravanam. The story, direction, acting, music, cinematography and production values have all fallen perfectly into place. When these elements align so well, a project is bound to go places. I hope this brings immense success to producers Vivek and Ramesh and leads to many more web series. All the very best to the team.

Speaking about the seven-episode format and his ambition to deliver a compelling Telugu crime thriller, director Sasidhar Munnangi said, Thank you to the press and media for attending. Rudravanam is a seven-episode crime thriller, and I believe it will be one of the strongest thrillers produced in Telugu. Every episode, right up to its final beat, is designed to keep viewers hooked. Please support the series when it premieres on ZEE5 on October 30. My gratitude to producers Kranthi, Vivek and Ramesh, and to the ZEE5 team, especially Harsha and Kiranmayi, for helping us meet demanding deadlines. The cast and crew worked tirelessly, and I thank my cinematographer, music director, editor and writer Syed, who could not be here today. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Appreciating ZEE5’s support and the importance of authenticity in shaping her character, actress Shravani Reddy said, Thank you to the media, and congratulations to ZEE5 for backing this project. I am grateful to producers Ramesh sir, Vivek and Suryakanthi ma’am, and to director Shashi for casting me in Rudravanam PS. Though Naresh and I shot together only for a few days, it was a great experience. I also want to thank senior actor Banerjee and our DOP, Ashkar. When I asked him to make me look glamorous, he insisted that my appearance remain authentic to the scene and de-glammed me for the story. I appreciate that commitment. Rudravanam PS is a seven-episode crime thriller premiering on ZEE5 Telugu on October 30. Please watch and support us.

Expressing confidence that the series would keep viewers invested from one episode to the next, producer Dr. Suryakanthi said, Rudravanam PS is a great thriller. You will feel compelled to binge-watch every episode without wanting to pause. I thank the ZEE5 team—Anuradha, Lloyd, Harsha, Kiranmayi and Sandeep—for giving us this opportunity. The cast and crew have been wonderful, and none of this would have been possible without them. My thanks to our guest of honour, Harish Shankar, the fan pages, celebrity friends and media for supporting us. Please continue to support the series. Thank you.

Acknowledging ZEE5’s support, the cast’s commitment and the demanding schedule, producer Vivek Kuchibhotla said, A big thank you to the ZEE5 management—Anuradha, Kiranmayi and Sandeep—and to Harsha and Sai, who worked as part of our own team. I thank our hero and heroine as well. We put you through demanding schedules, with late-night shoots and early call times, yet you performed exceptionally well. We are confident that Rudravanam PS will be a highly successful series. Thank you.

Reflecting on his 12-year association with ZEE, his creative partnership with director Sasidhar Munnangi and the collaborative effort behind the series, Naresh Agastya said, My journey in the industry began with ZEE 12 years ago, when I did a small serial called Pasupu Kumkuma in 2014. Since then, I have worked on Paruvu, Vikatakavi and now Rudravanam PS. Thank you to ZEE and to our producers from Sri Chakra Movies and Yellow Flowers Pictures—Kranthi, Vivek and Ramesh—for choosing me.

Shashi and I have been travelling together creatively for two years, discussing many stories, and I hope we get to make more of them. He and Ashkar worked incredibly hard throughout this production, often without proper sleep. Pawan and our editor also delivered high-quality work in a short time.

I want to mention Shiva. When the trailer came out, I noticed his name appearing in the comments even more than mine. He has worked hard in the background, and I hope this series brings him recognition and better opportunities. Swami kept us relaxed on set, and Siloni performed very naturally despite this being her first time. Surya and Gangadhar are wonderful artists, and I hope to work with them again. Durga is talented too, even though this role gave him limited scope. Banerjee sir inspires me with the simplicity of his life, and I hope we work together again. Sravani also plays an important role: her character’s support helps my character solve the case.

The core idea of the series is captured in my character’s dialogue: ‘Just as much as a criminal wants to hide a crime, he wants to hide the truth behind it. And to uncover that, the police don’t need to use a baton every time.’ That is the essence of the characterization.

I hope you enjoyed the first two episodes. Rudravanam PS premieres on ZEE5 Telugu on October 30, and I request you all to watch it. I must also appreciate the child actor, who worked through demanding morning and night schedules and still gave a wonderful performance. Poorna sir took on so much stress that he looks five years older! And Ramesh sir often says he wants to become the Pankaj Tripathi of Telugu cinema. I hope he achieves that. Thank you, everyone.