After a long gap, Sobhita Dhulipala returns to Telugu cinema with Cheekatilo, an emotionally charged crime-suspense drama that will stream directly on Amazon Prime Video. The makers unveiled the trailer, offering a glimpse into a dark and compelling story set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving Hyderabad.
The narrative follows Sandhya, a true-crime podcaster played by Sobhita Dhulipala, who uses her platform to unravel two-decade-old secrets linked to a long-dormant serial killer. As she digs deeper, her investigation pulls her into a dangerous world where the past refuses to stay buried. The film is directed by Sharan Kopishetty and produced by D Suresh Babu under the Suresh Productions banner, with the story penned by Chandra Pemmaraju and Sharan Kopishetty.
Cheekatilo stars Sobhita Dhulipala and Viswadev Rachakonda in the lead roles, with Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani, and Vadlamani Srinivas playing pivotal characters. The film will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on January 23.
The trailer offers a gripping peek into Hyderabad’s underbelly, where Sandhya, a criminology graduate and podcaster, finds herself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse. A shocking murder exposes a chain of unresolved crimes, triggering a tense pursuit of truth and justice. Using her podcast as an investigative weapon, Sandhya attempts to provoke and expose a cold-blooded killer. As the tension mounts, the narrative builds toward a chilling revelation. The question remains — will the truth surface, or will Sandhya become the killer’s next victim?
Sharing his thoughts, director Sharan Kopishetty said, “Directing Cheekatilo has been a deeply rewarding journey. It pushed me to explore the darker, more human layers beneath what appears to be a straightforward crime story. At its core, the film is not just a crime thriller but a reflection on resilience, the fight against silence and power, and the courage required to bring justice to light.”
Sobhita Dhulipala, speaking about her role, said, “Playing Sandhya has been a wonderful experience. She is a front-footed young woman — an independent thinker who stands firmly by her beliefs despite resistance. Her decisions are driven by a unique stubbornness rooted in her past. Portraying a character grounded in the by-lanes of Hyderabad and Telugu localities, and sharing a similar cultural background, made the transition between the character and my own expression seamless and truly enjoyable.”