Raj R, the acclaimed director behind "Mallesham" and "8 A.M. Metro," is back with another intriguing project inspired by true events titled "23." Produced by Studio 99, the film stars Teja and Tanmayi in the lead roles, with Venkat Siddareddy serving as the executive producer. The film's promotional content has already generated significant buzz, and Spirit Media is handling its distribution. "23" is set for a grand release on May 16th. Recently, the makers launched the film's trailer at a grand event graced by actor Priyadarshi and Oscar-winning lyricist Chandra Bose as chief guests.
Speaking at the trailer launch event, Oscar-winning lyricist Chandra Bose said, "Greetings to everyone. It felt like everyone spoke from the depths of their hearts at this event. Director Raj makes films with unwavering determination. He is a director with immense honesty. That honesty flowed into all the actors and technicians who worked on '23,' and everyone worked with great sincerity on this film. I watched the film to write songs for it. After watching it, I was more concerned about how to take such a good film to the audience and how to release it. Raj is a director who gives great importance to creativity. I got the opportunity to write good lyrics in this film. All the actors in this film have naturally immersed themselves in their roles. It didn't feel like they were acting at all. Everything was natural. This film is going to be a big success. I believe the performances will be on another level. Just as 'Mallesham' gave a new birth to Priyadarshi as an actor, I hope this film also gives a new birth to all the actors who have acted in it. Once again, thank you to director Raj for giving me the opportunity to write three songs in this film."
Hero Priyadarshi said, "Greetings to everyone. Five years ago, we held the pre-release event for 'Mallesham' on the same stage. Thank you to Raj for inviting me to this event. Raj is the person who gave a new lease of life to my career. I have come to this event with that gratitude. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Raj on this stage for giving me a good film like 'Mallesham.' I know the story of '23.' Raj came to me to do this story. Due to some other projects, I couldn't do it. It's a very great film. I feel very proud watching Raj come before the audience with such a great idea and story. It is very necessary to ask such questions in history. I consider it the good fortune of Telugu cinema to have a director and producer like Raj. After watching this trailer, I felt a little jealous that I couldn't have done it. The audience must watch such an important film. I am very happy that Chandra Bose Garu, who brought new respect to Telugu film songs, is on this stage. I am very proud that a great writer like Chandra Bose Garu worked on this film. Congratulations to Teja, Tanmayi, and all the actors who acted in this film. Just as actors and filmmakers have a responsibility to make such films, the audience also has a responsibility to successfully take such good films forward. Please do watch this film in theaters on May 16th. Thank you."
Director Raj Rachakonda said, "Greetings to everyone. '23' is a film made with a very strong technical team. Mark composed the music. Writers like Chandra Bose Garu, Indus, and Rehman wrote the songs for the film. Prominent singers like Karthik, Chinmayi, Ramya Behara, and Kailash Kher sang the songs. In small films, this is a very big film. We took a lot of care for the theater experience and made this film with a lot of technical focus. This is a perfect film for theaters. Please watch this film in theaters. Watching it there will also encourage it on OTT. If such films play well in theaters, the theater culture will be good. Everyone who worked here will work on big films in the future. I have requested the governments to also encourage such films. This is not a film made with commercial calculations. I request the media to also promote such films a bit. I request everyone's cooperation for this film."
Tanmayi said, "Greetings to everyone. It was a great pleasure that Chandra Bose Garu wrote the lyrics for my first film. Every song in this film tells our journey. Thank you to Chandra Babu Garu for writing such beautiful lyrics. Thank you so much to director Raj for giving me this opportunity. It's lucky for a debut artist to get a full-length role. This is a very important film. There is a pure love story in it. Everyone must watch this film. I request everyone to watch this film on May 16th and encourage us."
Actor Teja said, "Greetings to everyone. Director Raj Garu is a very passionate filmmaker. He is always striving to make good films, not for money. After hearing my character in this film, I felt very excited. It's a character that is completely opposite to the life I am living. Everyone makes mistakes. But why a mistake was made is shown in a very new perspective in this film. I was very happy that Priyadarshi Garu and Chandra Bose Garu came to this event. This is a very important film. I hope you will definitely watch and encourage it."
Actor Pawan Ramesh said, "Greetings to everyone. It was a great pleasure to meet Chandra Bose Garu at this event. I consider it my good fortune that he wrote the songs for this film. After reading the story of this film, I couldn't sleep for three days. It's such a moving film. Thank you to director Raj Garu and everyone for giving me the opportunity to play a good role in this film. No one will forget Das's character after watching this film."
Actor Praneeth said, "Greetings to everyone. Raj Garu is a very genuine person. He is very honest. This is a film made with honesty. It looks like a movie to everyone, but for me, I see it as a revolution. If people watch and support this film, there is a possibility that two people who are still languishing in jail might get freedom. That intention was visible to me in this film. Please watch and support this film in theaters. The entire film unit participated in this event."
