RC17 launch: Chiranjeevi strikes the first clap, Ram Charan and Sukumar reunite; peacock-feather poster unveiled

Director Sukumar’s second film with Ram Charan formally got under way on Sunday, 1 November 2026, with a pooja and muhurtham in Hyderabad. Chiranjeevi, the chief guest, struck the clapboard to start the opening shot. Bhushan Kumar, head of T-Series, turned the camera on, and the script was handed to the unit by producers Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers, with Tabitha Sukumar.

It is the pair’s first film since Rangasthalam in 2018, in which Ram Charan played Chitti Babu. It carries the working titles RC17 and #RC2Sukku, and the three banners behind it, Mythri Movie Makers, Sukumar Writings and T-Series, are making it as a pan-India film.

A painted feather

The makers unveiled a concept poster on launch day. Against a white background, brushstrokes of blue, gold and green form a peacock feather, and the face of Ram Charan is worked into the feather itself. The poster came with the line ‘You Can Imagine’, which in full reads ‘You Can Imagine, but beyond everyone’s expectations’.

Ram Charan arrived at the ceremony with long hair and a beard, part of the new look he is taking on for the role.

Music and cast still open

The makers are still to name a music director. When the film was first announced on Holi, 25 March 2024, Devi Sri Prasad, who scored Rangasthalam, was listed as its composer.

The heroine, the other actors and the shooting schedule are also yet to be announced. The makers have said filming will begin soon, with further details to follow.