Key Highlights

  • Glimpse out: The makers of Talcum Powder released its first glimpse, titled "The First Sprinkle".
  • Release date: The Telugu crime dramedy hits screens on November 13.
  • The story: Shiva Kandukuri plays Bunty, a drug peddler chased by both the police and a gang after an unknowing mistake.
  • Father–son project: The film is presented by producer Raj Kandukuri, Shiva's father, known for Pelli Choopulu.
  • Team: Written and directed by Sainath Ponna, with Drishika Chander as the female lead.

The makers of the Telugu film Talcum Powder have released the first glimpse of the film, titled "The First Sprinkle", and announced that it will hit screens on November 13.

Billed as a new-age crime dramedy, the film is written and directed by Sainath Ponna, with Shiva Kandukuri in the lead and Drishika Chander as the female lead.

Who Is Bunty, and Why Is Everyone Chasing Him?

The glimpse sets up a chaotic chase. Everyone is hunting for Bunty, a drug peddler who lands in an unexpected predicament after unknowingly making a mistake. With both the police and a gang of goons on his trail, the situation quickly spirals out of control.

The glimpse leaves viewers with two questions: what exactly has Bunty done, and how will he get out of the mess? Blending crime, comedy and drama, it suggests a fast-paced narrative with a contemporary storytelling style.

A Father Presents His Son, Again

The film is presented by National Award-winning producer Raj Kandukuri, who is also Shiva Kandukuri's father. Raj Kandukuri produced Vijay Deverakonda's Pelli Choopulu (2016), which won a National Award.

This is not the first time father and son have worked together. Shiva made his acting debut in 2020 with Choosi Choodangaane, produced by Raj Kandukuri. The film won him the SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut (Telugu) in 2021.

Why It Matters: A Change in Tone

Raj Kandukuri is best known for backing gentle, wholesome entertainers like Pelli Choopulu, Mental Madhilo and Choosi Choodangaane. Talcum Powder, with its drug-peddler hero and crime-comedy chaos, marks a clear departure from that style.

The shift also fits Shiva's own stated direction. The actor, who has since appeared in films such as Gamanam and Bhoothaddam Bhaskar Narayana, has said he wants to experiment with new-age cinema and play relatable characters. A quirky crime dramedy is a natural next step in that journey.

The Cast and Crew

Along with Shiva Kandukuri and Drishika Chander, the film features Venkatesh Maha, A Jeevan Kumar, Krishna Kamal, Rupa Lakshmi, Sanjay Swarup, Yogi Khatri, Naga Mahesh and Shivani Mahi, among others.

Cinematography is by GV Ajay Kumar, music by Osho V, and editing by Surya Ponnapalli.

What Comes Next

With the glimpse out and the release date set, the makers are expected to roll out more promotional material over the next six weeks, leading up to the November 13 release.

With inputs from IANS.