Cheekatilo చీకటిలో (2026) — Telugu Thriller

In the Telugu crime thriller *Cheekatilo* (2026), journalist Sandhya Nelluri (Sobhita Dhulipala) confronts a series of brutal murders that challenge her professional and personal boundaries. Disillusioned by sensationalist reporting, she resigns from her television job and launches an independent podcast to investigate unsolved crimes. Her pursuit of truth takes a personal turn when her friend Bobby (Aditi Myakal) is murdered, propelling Sandhya into a perilous quest to uncover the killer's identity. Directed by Sharan Koppisetty, *Cheekatilo* delves into themes of media ethics, gendered violence, and the psychological toll of crime reporting. The film's tone is brooding and suspenseful, as Sandhya's investigation blurs the lines between observer and participant. Despite its compelling premise, the narrative has been critiqued for its conventional approach and a climax that some reviewers found unoriginal. Produced by Suresh Productions, *Cheekatilo* premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 23, 2026. The film received mixed reviews; while Sobhita Dhulipala's performance was praised, the writing and pacing drew criticism. With an IMDb rating of 6.5/10, *Cheekatilo* appeals to viewers interested in crime dramas that explore the complexities of media and justice.