In “23,” we have honestly told a real-life story. The movie will connect with everyone: Director Raj R at the teaser launch event.
Director Raj R, known for his work on Mallesham and 8 A.M. Metro, is back with another intriguing project, 23, which is inspired by real-life events. Produced by Studio 99, the movie stars Teja and Tanmayi in the lead roles, with Venkat Siddareddy as the executive producer. The film is distributed by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media. The makers recently began promotions by releasing the first look poster and today launched the teaser.
The 23 teaser presents a gripping narrative based on three mass murders: the 1991 Sunduru mass killing, the 1993 Chilakaluripet bus burning, and the 1997 Jubilee Hills car bomb explosion. The film explores the emotional toll of these tragic events, the fight for justice, their social impact, and the harsh realities of violence that shaped history.
Raj R’s expertise in both writing and directing is evident, as he skillfully blends the three different stories, each one powerful and emotionally charged. His ability to depict these stories in depth is truly impressive.
The lead actors have delivered strong performances, adding authenticity to their roles. Sunny Kurapati’s exceptional cinematography and Mark K. Robin’s brilliant score enhance the narrative, making it even more impactful. The producers have announced that they will soon reveal the release date of the film.
During the teaser launch event, director Raj Rachakonda said, “It is lucky to find good actors. I found such actors in Mallesham, and they all got great breaks. Ananya, Darshi, and Keshav from Pushpa are all doing wonderful films. In 23, we have found similar great actors. It’s rare to find actors who can perform on par with Malayalam cinema. Pawan and Tanmayi got so busy with the editing, they barely got time to release the film. I will never forget Jhansi’s contribution. She also did a good role in *Mallesham* and will be seen in a very heavy role in this film. Teja has performed a very different role. He did a great job. As shown in the teaser, 23 people died because of these crimes, which is why we named the film 23. The film touches on human rights and stands for those who did not get justice. The purpose of this film is to acknowledge when a mistake has been made. It’s a movie against violence. I’ve shown exactly what happened. Many things that Bina ji said are also shown in this film. Three incidents took place, and many people died. But the question remains: Did the killers get equal punishment? We also show the transformation of people after they are sent to jail. I believe in making stories I connect with. All the stories I’ve worked on till now are like that.”
Bina Ji said, “I don’t know much about films but I can speak about jails. Raj called me and said he’s writing a story about jail and wanted to meet. He called many times. He seriously wrote down all the experiences I shared with him. Jail is another world, a different universe. It’s a place where one can bring change through words. One must speak courageously there. Many people have transformed there. I feel very happy that I’ve brought change in many lives with my words. Raj’s vision is very impactful.”
Actor Jhansi said, “Greetings to everyone. 23 is an incredible concept. Raj is a filmmaker with integrity. I feel honored to be a part of this film. He has honestly portrayed a real-life story. When a story is told with honesty, it carries power. This movie has courage and integrity. I believe the audience will seek out films like this. 23 will be a great film that will stand the test of time in history.”
Actor Teja said, “This is my debut film. Becoming an actor has been a dream since childhood. I’ve given many auditions and tried for almost five years. I thank Raj for giving me this opportunity. I will never forget his support. I’m very happy to be part of such an intense project. Thank you so much to everyone I worked with on this film.”
Actor Ramesh, known for playing a drunkard, said, “Raj is a director who makes films with the intention of conveying something good to society. I’ve done many films, but I did this one with a lot of fear. He made me act very controlled. This film will always remain special to me. You’ll understand why once the film is released. It’s a privilege to be part of a movie like this.”
The event, which was attended by the entire movie unit, was grandly celebrated.
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