Dhanraj, Vamsi Chaganti Suspense Crime Thriller Wraps Shooting

Dhanraj and Vamsi Chaganti lead a new suspense crime thriller that has completed shooting and moved into post-production, the makers have announced. Directed by Skanda and produced by Satyanarayana Nagula, the film is Production No. 1 for PNS Productions. Its title and first look have not been revealed yet, and the makers say both will be released soon.

Cast and Crew

Banner: PNS Productions (Production No. 1)
Director: Skanda
Producer: Satyanarayana Nagula
Executive producer: G. Krishna
Cast: Dhanraj, Vamsi Chaganti, Saki Roy (heroine), Appaji, Dayanand Reddy, Prashanth, Padmarao, Keshavi and others
Cinematography: Rahul Srivastav
Music: Sai Karthik
Editing: Hari
Genre: Suspense crime thriller

What We Know About the Film

Going by its Production No. 1 label, this is the first film from the PNS Productions banner, and the makers say it is now in post-production. At this stage a film is cut together by its editor, scored and mixed, and colour-graded, so the next public milestones are typically a title announcement and a first-look poster, both of which the makers have said are coming soon.

According to the makers, director Skanda is shaping the film to appeal to all sections of the audience, and producer Satyanarayana Nagula is treating it as a prestige project for the banner.

Dhanraj Steps Into a Thriller

For many Telugu viewers, Dhanraj is first a comedian. He began in films with Jai in 2004, became widely recognised as Ram’s sidekick in Jagadam, and built his name further with comic roles in films such as Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu and Pilla Zamindar. He has also worked in television as a team leader on Jabardasth and Adhirindhi and took part in the first season of Bigg Boss Telugu. More recently he turned director with Ramam Raghavam, a father-and-son drama released in February 2025 with Samuthirakani. Profiles of his career note that he has also played characters with negative shades, so a suspense crime film is a change of register for him rather than a complete departure.

Vamsi Chaganti is billed in the makers’ note as being known for Happy Days. The release does not say which roles he and Dhanraj play in the film.

Why a Crime Thriller as a First Film

A compact suspense thriller is a practical first project for a new banner, because it can lean on its script and performances rather than on scale. Whether this film does that is something only the finished product can show, and the makers have not yet released any footage.