Director Srikanth Puppala on his pan-India film with actor Kiran Abbavaram: 'This is the result of years spent learning the craft'

Zee Studios and Prerna Arora recently announced a major Pan-India project starring Kiran Abbavaram. Srikanth Puppala will direct the film, tentatively titled #KA16, marking his directorial debut.

"Every filmmaker dreams of the day when a story they believe in is entrusted to them. Today, I find myself at that moment. That “One day I want to direct a film” to “I am directing a film” moment," he told FirstPost in an exclusive conversation.

He added: "This is the result of years spent learning the craft — through story discussions, rewrites, long days on sets, successes, setbacks and the invaluable opportunity to learn from filmmakers I deeply admire. I am humbled by the trust placed in me by Zee Studios, Prerna Arora ji, and our Hero, Kiran Abbavaram. Their belief has given me the opportunity to take this next step in my journey."

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"I am grateful, excited and deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with this opportunity. I look forward to giving audiences a film that is honest, entertaining and worthy of the faith that has been placed in me," the debutant director concluded.

Co-produced by Keerthan and produced by Zee Studios, Umesh K. Bansal, and Prerna Arora, this Kiran Abbavaram movie will go on floors in October 2026 and is expected to hit the screens in 2027.

The makers of the film are currently in advanced discussions with prominent Hollywood composers as well as reputed Indian music directors to compose a score for the global audiences.

Prerna Arora is known for backing films like Rustom, Toilet-Ek Prem Katha, Pad Man, and Parmanu.