“Rakasa Is a Folklore-Driven Visual Spectacle: Manasa Sharma”
Riding high on impressive digital traction and mounting pre-release buzz, Rakasa is shaping up to be a distinctive, genre-driven entertainer. Headlined by Sangeeth Sobhan and Nayan Sarika, the film is produced by Niharika Konidela under Pink Elephant Pictures in association with Zee Studios. Marking the feature directorial debut of Manasa Sharma, Rakasa promises a unique blend of fantasy adventure, folklore, stylised visuals, and humor.
Ahead of the trailer launch, director Manasa Sharma interacted with the media, offering insights into the film’s concept, creative process, and her journey.
On Her Journey & Background
Rakasa marks Manasa Sharma’s debut feature film. She previously created and wrote Oka Chinna Family Story and directed web projects like Bench Life and Mad House (2018). A postgraduate from Srikakulam, Manasa has steadily built credibility in the OTT space before transitioning to the big screen.
On the Film’s Genre & Concept
Manasa clarifies that Rakasa is primarily a fantasy adventure comedy, with horror serving only as a supporting element.
“THE FILM IS LARGELY FANTASY-DRIVEN. HORROR IS JUST A TOOL—WE’VE BLENDED IT WITH COMEDY TO TELL AN ENGAGING STORY.”
The title Rakasa translates to “devil,” though the director hints that the true context will unfold with the trailer.
From Idea to Big Screen
Interestingly, the idea originated during a pitch at Netflix. While discussing genre-based concepts, Manasa shared the core idea, which caught Sangeeth Sobhan’s attention. What began as a concept eventually evolved into a theatrical project.
Manasa reveals that it was the story that won over Niharika Konidela.
“WITHIN 15–20 MINUTES OF NARRATION, WE WERE ALIGNED. HER TRUST AND SUPPORT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.”
She also praises Pink Elephant Pictures for maintaining a perfect balance between creative freedom and production discipline.
Casting Choices
Manasa describes Nayan Sarika as a “director’s actress,” highlighting her versatility and performance range.
Similarly, Sangeeth Sobhan was chosen not just for his previous work but for how well his personality and mannerisms suited the character.
Handling Budget & Scale
Despite being a debutant, Manasa managed a relatively larger budget efficiently.
“WE WERE VERY CONSCIOUS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF VFX. STAYING WITHIN BUDGET WAS A PRIORITY THROUGHOUT.”
The team’s prior OTT success gave them confidence in managing both creative and financial aspects.
A True Theatrical Experience
Manasa emphasizes that Rakasa is designed primarily for theatres.
“THIS IS A THEATRICAL FILM. THE VISUALS AND SCALE DEMAND A BIG-SCREEN EXPERIENCE.”
She describes the film as:
“LIKE CHANDAMAMA KATHA BLENDED WITH STYLISED TECHNOLOGY AND COMEDY.”
While 90% of the story is fictional, its core is rooted in Indian folklore, giving it a familiar yet fresh appeal.
VFX & Technical Execution
The film features significant VFX work, especially in the second half. To streamline production, the team shot VFX-heavy portions first, allowing parallel post-production.
With support from experienced VFX artists and an on-set supervisor, the team ensured quality output without budget overruns.
Art & World-Building
The film’s imaginative world is brought to life by production designer Ramanjaneyulu and art director Vishnu Vardhan.
“SINCE THE STORY IS ENTIRELY FROM MY IMAGINATION, TECHNOLOGY HELPED ME CLEARLY COMMUNICATE MY VISION TO THE TEAM.”
Musical & Technical Crew
Music is composed by Anudeep Dev, whose work reinforced the director’s confidence. The film also features cinematography by Raju Edurolu and editing by Anwar Ali.
Inspiration & Creative Vision
Manasa credits legendary filmmaker B. Vittalacharya as her biggest inspiration.
“HIS FILMS SPARKED MY CURIOSITY. HE CREATED MAGIC WITHOUT VFX—THAT INSPIRED ME DEEPLY.”
A Promising New Experience
While rooted in familiar folklore, Manasa assures that the narrative style, screenplay, and character arcs offer something new to audiences.
Strong Pre-Release Buzz
The film’s promotional content has generated significant traction:
Alongside the lead pair, Rakasa features a strong supporting cast including Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Getup Srinu.
Release Date
Blending fantasy, folklore, humor, and cutting-edge visuals, Rakasa is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on April 3, 2026.
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