Buchi Babu Sana, Srikanth Odela: Sukumar’s Rangasthalam Team Now Making Big Films

Director Sukumar’s Rangasthalam is widely regarded as one of the landmark films in modern Telugu cinema. While the film is remembered for its box office success, powerful performances, and rooted storytelling, it is now also being talked about for another reason — the impressive rise of some of the assistant directors who worked behind the scenes on the film. Among them, Buchi Babu Sana and Srikanth Odela have emerged as two of the most exciting filmmaking talents in Tollywood today.
Both Buchi Babu Sana and Srikanth Odela were part of Sukumar’s team during the making of Rangasthalam, learning the craft closely under one of Telugu cinema’s most distinctive storytellers. Years later, both of them have now stepped into the spotlight as directors with strong identities of their own, earning attention for their storytelling, film choices, and the scale of projects they are now handling.
Buchi Babu Sana made a dream directorial debut with Uppena, a film that not only became a major commercial success but also earned widespread appreciation for its emotional depth and fresh presentation. The film created a strong impact with audiences and critics alike, and Buchi Babu quickly established himself as a filmmaker to watch. The success of Uppena also brought him national-level recognition, making his transition from assistant director to successful filmmaker even more remarkable.
Now, Buchi Babu Sana is working on his much-anticipated second film, #Peddi, starring Ram Charan. The project has already generated major buzz in the industry and among fans, largely because it marks his next big move after the success of Uppena. With a star like Ram Charan in the lead and expectations running high, Peddi is already being seen as one of the most awaited upcoming Telugu films.
Srikanth Odela, another former member of the Rangasthalam team, has also made a powerful mark in a short span of time. He made his directorial debut with Dasara, starring Nani, and the film stood out for its rustic setting, raw intensity, and rooted storytelling. Dasara became a major talking point for its strong cinematic voice and proved that Srikanth Odela had arrived as a filmmaker with a unique style and mass appeal.
Following the success of Dasara, Srikanth Odela is now working on his second film, #TheParadise, once again with Nani. The reunion of the actor-director duo has already created huge curiosity among movie lovers, especially after the impact of their first collaboration. The project is one of the most discussed upcoming films, with expectations high on what Srikanth will bring to the screen this time.
What makes Srikanth Odela’s rise even more noteworthy is the scale of his future plans. Industry buzz and film circle discussions have already pointed out that his third film is set to be with Chiranjeevi, which is a massive achievement for any young director. Moving from assistant director to handling projects with stars like Nani and then landing a film with Chiranjeevi reflects just how strongly he has positioned himself in the Telugu film industry.
The journeys of Buchi Babu Sana and Srikanth Odela once again underline the kind of creative ecosystem Sukumar has built over the years. More than just directing successful films, Sukumar has also played a key role in mentoring a new generation of filmmakers. His influence can clearly be seen in the way his former assistants are now telling rooted, emotionally charged, and large-scale stories of their own.
For many aspiring filmmakers, stories like these are deeply inspiring. Behind every successful film, there are several creative minds learning, observing, and preparing for their own moment. Rangasthalam appears to have been one such turning point — not only for Sukumar and its cast, but also for the assistant directors who quietly worked on it and later emerged as major talents in Telugu cinema.
Today, with Buchi Babu Sana moving forward with Peddi and Srikanth Odela gearing up for TheParadise and a future film with Chiranjeevi, both directors are proving that their journey was only getting started during Rangasthalam. What began as assistant direction under Sukumar has now evolved into full-fledged directorial careers filled with promise, ambition, and big opportunities.
As Tollywood continues to expand and create bigger cinematic moments, the rise of Buchi Babu Sana and Srikanth Odela stands as a strong reminder that some of the industry’s most exciting future filmmakers are often shaped quietly behind the camera before they step into the spotlight.
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