Dark secrets. Uncomfortable truths. Stories that crawl under your skin and refuse to let go. Cheekatilo plunges viewers into a shadowy mystery where every answer only raises deeper questions and morality exists firmly in shades of grey.
At the heart of this unsettling world is Sandhya, a true crime podcaster portrayed by Sobhita Dhulipala, steady, restrained and unwilling to look away even when the truth becomes deeply personal. Far removed from sensationalism, Sandhya’s journey is anchored in responsibility, resolve and the courage to sit with uncertainty.
Describing Sandhya’s inner compass and what drives her pursuit of justice, Sobhita explained, “I see Sandhya as a natural leader, not because she is fearless, but because she doesn’t let uncertainty decide her actions. There’s a quiet decisiveness to her. She’s driven by the need for clarity rather than validation, and that steadiness is what ultimately moves the story forward.”
Reflecting on what drew her to playing a true-crime podcaster, navigating such moral complexity, she added, “What interested me was the responsibility inherent to the role. Sandhya isn’t chasing drama; she’s chasing clarity. That mindset, of asking uncomfortable questions and remaining steady in uncertainty is something I carried forward from this experience.”
Cheekatilo is directed by Sharan Kopishetty, produced by D. Suresh Babu under the banner of Suresh Production Pvt Ltd, and written by Chandra Pemmaraju and Sharan Kopishetty. Alongside Sobhita Dhulipala, Viswadev Rachakonda is featured in the lead role, with Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani and Vadlamani Srinivas in pivotal roles. The film is set to premiere on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories worldwide on January 23.