📌 Key Points
- Heroine or Director? Manasa stuns with beauty, sticks to directing!
- Netflix offer rejected! Manasa’s ‘Rakasa’ leapfrogs to big screen!
- From YouTube hits to film debut: Manasa’s proven success streak!
- Tollywood welcomes a bold new female director from Srikakulam!
Manasa Sharma is the name currently creating a stir in Tollywood. This Srikakulam native, celebrated for her successful web series ventures, is now poised for a grand silver screen directorial debut with ‘Rakasa’, produced by Niharika Konidela. Beyond her striking looks, Sharma is a talented writer and director whose transition to feature films is eagerly anticipated, promising a captivating new chapter in Telugu cinema.
From Web Wins to Silver Screen
Shocking revelations! ‘Rakasa’ director Manasa Sharma’s name is now making waves across Tollywood, leaving many wondering about the extent of her successes. This Srikakulam native, making her silver screen directorial debut with ‘Rakasa’, produced by Niharika Konidela, has already proven her talent with several hit web series. She’s captivating everyone with her heroine-like appearance, but she’s not just beautiful; she’s also an incredibly talented writer and director, now set to enter theaters amidst huge expectations. Let’s delve into the journey behind her remarkable success.
Manasa Sharma‘s cinematic journey began on YouTube. In 2019, she worked as a writer for the YouTube series ‘Mad House’ at Niharika’s production company. Following this, she showcased her creativity by becoming the creator and writer for ‘Oka Chinna Family Story’. More recently, she stepped into direction with the ‘Bench Life’ web series, achieving a blockbuster hit. Having achieved successive triumphs on digital platforms and carved a unique niche for herself in the world of web series, Manasa is now ready to test her luck on the silver screen with ‘Rakasa’.
Interestingly, the story of ‘Rakasa’ was initially planned as a web series, even receiving an offer from a giant like Netflix. However, Manasa’s decision shifted once actor Sangeeth Shobhan entered the project. Having brilliantly utilized Sangeeth’s comedic timing in ‘Oka Chinna Family Story’, Manasa decided that this story would be better suited as a direct movie rather than a web series. Thus, she crafted ‘Rakasa’ as a beautiful ‘Chandamama-esque’ fantasy adventure.
Director or Heroine? Manasa’s Dual Appeal
During the film’s promotions, when Manasa Sharma speaks, one cannot help but wonder if she is a director or a heroine. Netizens are captivated by her lively demeanor, innocence, and beauty, with many commenting that she strikingly resembles Shamili, the heroine from the movie ‘Oy!’. People have even advised her to consider acting as a heroine, not just directing. However, Manasa states that her entire focus remains on creative writing and direction, with her ultimate goal being to entertain audiences with compelling stories.
Produced under the Pink Elephant Pictures banner, the film ‘Rakasa’ is set to release on April 3, 2026. Sangeeth Shobhan stars opposite the popular heroine Nayan Sarika, and the presence of a strong supporting cast, including Vennela Kishore and Brahmaji, is further raising expectations. Having proven her talent with successful web series, it remains to be seen whether Manasa will also achieve blockbuster success on the silver screen and join the ranks of star directors. Regardless, it is safe to say that the Telugu film industry has found another exceptionally talented female director.
Looking Ahead
Manasa Sharma’s “Rakasa” marks a pivotal moment for Telugu cinema. From web series acclaim, her silver screen debut on April 3, 2026, is highly anticipated. Regardless of box office, her talent confirms a formidable new female voice has arrived. The industry eagerly awaits her ascent among star directors.
