Sobhita Dhulipala is making waves with her upcoming Telugu crime thriller, Cheekatilo, set to release on Amazon Prime Video on January 23, 2026. The film has already garnered attention, with the trailer receiving praise from industry figures like Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya.
Directed by Sharan Kopishetty, who also co-wrote it with Chandra Pemmaraju, Cheekatilo delves into the dark underbelly of Hyderabad. Dhulipala plays Sandhya, a criminology graduate and true crime podcaster who becomes embroiled in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with a cold-blooded serial killer. Using her podcast as an investigative tool, Sandhya attempts to expose the killer and bring justice to light. The film promises to be a twisted crime thriller with high stakes. Other cast members include Viswadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani, and Vadlamani Srinivas.
Dhulipala shared that her cultural background and the character's Hyderabadi roots allowed for a seamless integration between herself and Sandhya. She describes Sandhya as a "front-footed young woman who is an independent thinker, deeply committed to standing by her belief system no matter the resistance". Sandhya's choices are shaped by a unique stubbornness rooted in her past. Dhulipala found playing Sandhya a "superb experience".
Kopishetty added that Cheekatilo is more than just a crime suspense film; it's a reflection on resilience, the fight against silence and power, and the courage required to deliver justice. He said everyone in the cast and crew "brought their heart to the set every single day".
Dhulipala sees Cheekatilo as a continuation of her inspiring journey with Prime Video, following Made in Heaven. She appreciates their shared commitment to entertaining storytelling and pushing creative boundaries.
The trailer depicts Sandhya quitting her job as a television news reporter to launch her independent crime podcast. After a series of gruesome murders, she uses her podcast to investigate and track down the person responsible for the crimes, eventually leading to an unexpected and shocking revelation.
