There’s something quietly clever about naming a horror-thriller after the humble lemon. Ask any Telugu household about the fruit hanging by a doorway or tossed at a crossroads, and you’ll get a story about warding off evil eye, bad luck, or worse.
That everyday superstition is now the backbone of a new film — Nimmakaya… Neekenduku Bhayam — which had its launch ceremony this week at Sarathi Studios in Hyderabad’s Ameerpet.
A Familiar Fear, A Fresh Telling
The film is helmed by director Roshi Reddy Pandillapalli, who is stepping in after earning goodwill for E Tlu. He describes the project as an attempt to gently unpack the myths people carry about lemons — not by lecturing audiences, but by wrapping the theme inside an entertaining, thought-provoking story, much of it inspired by real incidents he’s encountered.
Leading the cast are newcomers Rajesh Bhupathi and Swapnaraj, alongside Abitha, while veteran performers Suman and Aamani anchor the film in central roles — a pairing that’s already generating curiosity among fans who remember Suman’s popular mythological turn as Kaliyuga Venkateswara Swamy.
Voices From the Launch
The mahurtam ceremony drew a notable industry crowd. PCC General Secretary Uppala Srinivas Gupta clapped the board, cinematographer Lion Venkat switched on the camera, and TFCC Chairman Pratani Ramakrishna took charge of the first shot — a lineup that signals the producers’ ambitions for the project despite its modest banner, BVC Films.
Suman, reflecting on the script, called the horror-thriller elements genuinely engaging and said working alongside Aamani again was a pleasure. He didn’t stop at praising the film, though — he used his moment at the mic to make a broader industry point, urging the government to introduce dedicated subsidies and incentive schemes for small producers, reasoning that a healthier ecosystem for smaller films ultimately protects thousands of livelihoods across the industry.
For debutant Rajesh Bhupathi, the day carried personal weight. He spoke about how deeply lemons remain entangled with superstition in everyday life even now, and expressed hope that the film’s fresh, myth-busting lens would resonate with a wide cross-section of viewers. He thanked the makers for entrusting him with his first lead role.
What’s Next
With its title alone doing the work of sparking curiosity, Nimmakaya… Neekenduku Bhayam is set to begin regular shooting in August. The ensemble cast rounds out with Tanikella Bharani, Ravi Babu, Tarzan, Bengaluru Avinash, Gaddam Naveen, Pushpa Jagadish, Suman Shetty, Jabardasth Rajamouli, Shanti, Hamsa and Satya, among others — a mix of comic and character actors that suggests the tonal balance between horror and dark comedy the makers are aiming for.
Behind the camera: Written and directed by Roshi Reddy Pandillapalli, co-directed by Janaki Ram Tirandas, with music by Varikuppala Yadagiri, cinematography by D. Yadagiri, fight choreography by P. Satish, poster design by Kashi, lyrics by Chintapalli Vijay Kumar, dialogues by Madan, art direction by Vijay Krishna, and PR by Ashok Dayyal.
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