M.S. Raju unveils first look of Agadha , signals bold genre shift

Veteran Telugu producer-turned-director M.S. Raju, celebrated for defining early 2000s romance cinema with hits such as Okkadu, Varsham and Manasantha Nuvve, has unveiled the first look poster of his upcoming directorial venture Agadha , marking a striking shift in tone and genre.

The project, positioned as a pan-India mystical thriller, blends elements of mythology, horror and suspense. According to the makers, filming has been completed over an 85-day schedule on specially constructed sets, with extensive post-production work currently underway, including nearly 45 minutes of visual effects.

The film will be released across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi languages , aiming for a wide national audience. The newly released first look has already sparked buzz among fans, who are noting the filmmaker’s departure from his signature feel-good romantic storytelling.

Raju, who built a strong reputation as a producer before transitioning into direction, is now exploring darker, mythologically rooted narratives. Industry chatter suggests the film is being informally compared to recent visually rich folklore-inspired hits, with early expectations pointing to a summer release.

With Agadha , the filmmaker appears set to reinvent his creative identity, moving from romance-driven blockbusters to a more intense cinematic universe.

The film’s title role and key cast details are still under wraps, but anticipation continues to build as post-production progresses toward completion.