Agadha Is Going To Be Big Theatrical Experience, Tollywood Backs

Expectations surrounding Agadha have received another boost following its pre-release event, where several noted personalities from the Telugu film industry spoke highly about M. S. Raju’s latest directorial venture.

The film, which is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, was praised for its distinctive storytelling, performances, technical execution and larger-than-usual theatrical scope.

The event also became a celebration of M. S. Raju’s long-standing contribution to Telugu cinema. Shyam Prasad Reddy, who produced the iconic Arundhathi, recalled his association with Raju spanning nearly 45 years and described him as someone who has consistently been passionate about filmmaking and ahead of the curve. He felt Agadha goes beyond the boundaries of a routine horror film and singled out its visual presentation and editing. He also drew a striking comparison between Kamakshi Bhaskarla’s screen presence and his first impression of Anushka while working on Arundhathi.

B. Gopal spoke about another important quality of Raju which is his instinct for identifying strong stories. Recalling how Raju had predicted the success of Samarasimha Reddy after hearing its story, he called him a fearless producer who also possesses the instincts of a strong writer. He went on to predict that Agadha could score a bigger success than Devi.

For Lagadapati Sridhar, the occasion was also about seeing a filmmaker he greatly admires return to the director’s chair. Naming Raju and Shyam Prasad Reddy among his favourite producers, he hoped Agadha would become a defining comeback for Raju and eventually earn the status of a cult classic.

Sai Rajesh brought a personal perspective to the event, recalling his days as an assistant director under M. S. Raju, during which he learnt the fundamentals of screenplay writing. After seeing the Origin of Agadha and the trailer, he referred to Raju as a “kingmaker” and conveyed his best wishes for the film’s success.

SKN highlighted the reputation Raju has built across different roles in the industry, saying that irrespective of whether he works as a producer or director, “Raju is Raju.” He observed that the promotional material indicates that Agadha has several dimensions beyond conventional horror. He also appreciated Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Shravan Reddy and the producers for attempting something ambitious and unconventional.

Filmmaker Anil Viswanath, associated with the Polimera franchise, revealed that he had followed Agadha from its writing phase. Having watched the film, he described the climax as surprising, shocking and futuristic. He particularly appreciated Kamakshi Bhaskarla’s extended role, along with Shravan Reddy, Jovika Vijay Kumar, the visual work and Rakesh Venkatapuram’s music.

The film’s lead actors also spoke about their association with Raju. Kamakshi Bhaskarla thanked him for entrusting her with the female lead and the central character, stating that the opportunity has played a foundational role in her career. She added that the entire team approached the project with considerable affection and hoped audiences would respond with the same warmth.

Shravan Reddy recalled that Raju had noticed him in a web series and subsequently offered him a role in Dirty Hari. He said Agadha marks another opportunity given to him by the filmmaker.

Producer Kasi Visalakshi Balusu expressed confidence in the project following the positive response to the teaser and trailer. She spoke about Raju’s commitment throughout the shoot and said witnessing his dedication on the sets strengthened her belief that the film would emerge successfully.

M. S. Raju himself thanked Kasi Visalakshi Balusu, Ajay KR and the entire team for their support. Describing his approach to the film through a cricketing analogy, he said he had made Agadha like a “super over,” rather than waiting for a last-over finish. He expressed the belief that the film would become a blockbuster with the blessings of the Goddess.

Positioned as a supernatural drama rather than a straightforward horror film, Agadha combines divine elements, a good-versus-evil conflict and layered writing with a strong visual and theatrical treatment.

Written and directed by M. S. Raju, the film is produced by Kasi Visalakshi Balusu under Sri Adi Varaha Productions and presented by Ajay KR. NVN Subbaraju is the executive producer.

With prominent industry figures backing the film and its unconventional treatment, Agadha is heading towards its August 14 theatrical release with considerable anticipation.