Sobhita Dhulipala is all set to return to Telugu screens with her upcoming OTT crime thriller Cheekatilo, and the buzz around the project is growing rapidly. The recently released trailer has already won positive reactions from audiences, building anticipation for what promises to be a gripping and unconventional suspense drama. Now, the actress has opened up about what drew her to the project and why she chose to take on the challenging lead role.
Speaking about her decision, Sobhita revealed that it was the strength and uniqueness of her character that instantly convinced her. She shared that Sandhya, the protagonist, is bold, authoritative, and naturally inclined to leadership, yet remains grounded as an everyday young woman. This balance of power and relatability made the role stand out for her. Sobhita also mentioned that the podcast-driven narrative and modern storytelling approach felt refreshing and different from anything she had explored before.
Another key factor behind her decision was her long-standing association with Amazon Prime Video. Having previously worked with the platform on Made in Heaven, Sobhita was familiar with their content vision. When Cheekatilo came to Prime Video, she was considered for the lead role. She also shared that while she has explored several Hindi OTT projects in recent years, she was eager to step back into Telugu content. For her, Cheekatilo felt like the perfect opportunity to reconnect with Telugu audiences through a role that truly challenges her as an actor.
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Hyderabad, Cheekatilo follows Sandhya, a criminology graduate who runs a true-crime podcast. What begins as a curious investigation for content soon takes a dark turn when a brutal murder reveals links to a serial killer whose crimes date back nearly two decades. As Sandhya digs deeper, she uses her podcast as a powerful tool to provoke, question, and uncover hidden truths. But with every revelation, the danger intensifies, transforming her investigation into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
The trailer teases a tense narrative packed with buried secrets, emotional confrontations, and an ever-present threat of violence. It raises a chilling question: will Sandhya succeed in exposing the killer, or will her pursuit turn her into the next victim?
Directed by Sharan Kopishetty and produced by D. Suresh Babu under Suresh Productions, Cheekatilo is co-written by Chandra Pemmaraju and Sharan Kopishetty. Alongside Sobhita, the series features Viswadev Rachakonda in a pivotal role, supported by an ensemble cast including Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani, and Vadlamani Srinivas.
With its blend of modern investigative storytelling, psychological depth, and high-stakes suspense, Cheekatilo promises an edge-of-the-seat experience. The Telugu crime thriller will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video starting January 23, 2026.