Ram Charan and Sukumar's RC17 Begins With a Grand Pooja: Chiranjeevi Gives the Mega Clap, Anirudh Replaces DSP and "You Can Imagine" Is the Tagline -

Two and a half years after the announcement, the Rangasthalam duo finally starts rolling, with a rugged new avatar and a big musical twist.

HYDERABAD: Good things come to those who wait, and Ram Charan fans have been waiting a long time. On Sunday, the much-awaited film tentatively titled RC17, a reunion of Ram Charan and director Sukumar, officially began with a grand pooja ceremony in Hyderabad.

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The Launch: A Mega Clap From the Megastar

The event began at around 10:50 am. The makers dropped a video from the ceremony on their official social media handles, showing Ram Charan arriving at the venue, greeting team members and lighting the ceremonial lamp.

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Then came the emotional highlight. Megastar Chiranjeevi performed the auspicious coconut-breaking ritual and gave the first clap for his son’s film. The makers wrote that the journey of #RC17 begins with the “MEGA CLAP” as the megastar sounded the clapboard and blessed the entire team.

A Tollywood Who’s Who Turns Up

The launch was a star-studded affair. Along with Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan and Sukumar, the guest list included directors Harish Shankar, Buchi Babu Sana, Naga Vamsi, Rahul Sankrityan, Gopichand Malineni and Maruthi, alongside producers Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar.

That kind of turnout says a lot. Telugu cinema has always valued these gatherings, and this one doubled as a show of industry support for a project that fans have been demanding for years.

What We Know About the Film

The project carries the intriguing tagline “You Can Imagine,” and Ram Charan is expected to appear in a rugged, never-before-seen avatar. It is bankrolled by Mythri Movie Makers in association with Sukumar Writings and T-Series Films. Shooting is scheduled to begin immediately at Ramoji Film City.

On the technical side, there is a headline-grabbing change. Anirudh Ravichander has been officially confirmed as music composer. That is a major shift, because Sukumar has traditionally worked with Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) on his films. Behind the camera, ace cinematographer Ratnavelu is on board for the visuals, and the rest of the cast and crew will be announced in the coming days.

A Long Road to the Pooja

RC17 has been a long time coming. The film was announced on the occasion of Holi in March 2024, reuniting Ram Charan with the Rangasthalam director. Then came the waiting. Reports suggested the script wasn’t ready, and the launch was expected to be delayed, with speculation that Ram Charan might take up other projects in the meantime. A pooja was also reported to have been postponed at one stage, and fans were left asking where the film stood.

That is why Sunday’s launch feels like a relief as much as a celebration. After months of speculation, the camera is finally about to roll.

The Rangasthalam Factor

The excitement comes from history. Ram Charan and Sukumar previously teamed up for the 2018 village drama Rangasthalam, which also starred Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It was a blockbuster that many consider a career-defining performance for Charan, who played the hearing-impaired Chitti Babu.

Since then, the actor has gone global with RRR, which collected Rs 782.2 crore domestically, according to the figures shared with us. Sukumar, meanwhile, became a pan-India name with Pushpa. A reunion of two men who have both leapt to bigger stages is exactly why the buzz is so intense.

The Chiranjeevi Clap Tradition

There is a fun sentiment attached to the launch. Chiranjeevi has previously given the clap for three of Ram Charan’s films: RRR in 2022, Game Changer in 2025 and Peddi in 2026. Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, reportedly grossed Rs 244.64 crore at the box office. Now he has done it again for RC17, and fans are already calling it a lucky charm.

Why Anirudh Instead of DSP Matters

(This is our analysis, not confirmed fact.)

Sukumar and DSP have given Telugu cinema some of its biggest chartbusters. Replacing him is a bold creative move. Anirudh Ravichander is one of the busiest composers in India, known for high-energy, mass-friendly scores that travel well across languages.

It could signal that RC17 is aimed at a wide, pan-India audience, with a sound that feels fresh for both Charan and Sukumar. It also puts pressure on the album: fans will compare the first single to DSP’s track record, and expectations will be sky-high.

What This Means for Ram Charan

1. A comeback narrative. After the ups and downs of recent releases, a Sukumar film offers Charan a chance to reset with a director known for strong characters and gritty storytelling.

2. A transformation to watch. The promise of a rugged, never-before-seen avatar suggests another body-and-voice overhaul, the kind that gets fans talking.

3. A packed slate. With one film recently released and another beginning, Charan is positioning himself as one of the hardest-working leads in Telugu cinema.

What Happens Next

Cast announcements. The makers have promised to share the remaining cast and crew soon. The female lead is one of the biggest questions, with reports naming several actresses as being considered.
First look and title reveal. A title and first-look poster are likely to follow once shooting is under way.
Rapid shoot schedule. With filming starting immediately at Ramoji Film City, early set photos and leaks are almost guaranteed.
Release buzz. A release date hasn’t been announced, so trade watchers will be watching for any hint of a festival slot.

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The Bottom Line

RC17 has finally crossed the line from rumour to reality. It has a megastar’s clap, a hit director, a new composer, a cinematographer with a strong track record and a tagline that dares audiences to dream big.

For Ram Charan and Sukumar, the next step is simple but massive: turn “You Can Imagine” into something audiences haven’t imagined yet.

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