Vishwaksen’s ‘#CULT’ First Look Unleashed: India’s First Slasher Film Promises a Bloody New Era

February 19, 2026 Published by rajeshe092eb6a68

Mass Ka Das Vishwaksen is set to push creative boundaries yet again with his upcoming ambitious project, #CULT. Known for taking complete control of his storytelling in films like Falaknuma Das and Das Ka Dhamki, Vishwaksen is once again steering the ship entirely — from story and screenplay to direction and performance.

Backed by producer Sandeep Kakarala under the banner of Tarak Cinemas, #CULT is being billed as India’s first slasher film, a genre rarely explored in Tollywood. With this daring move, Vishwaksen aims to carve out a new cinematic space in the Indian film landscape.

The makers today unveiled the film’s striking first look poster, and it is nothing short of intense. Vishwaksen appears in a sharp suit, walking forward with a cigarette loosely hanging from his lips. His stern, brooding expression amplifies the ominous tone. In his hand, he grips a blood-stained axe, and with every step, a thick pool of blood spreads beneath him across a glossy surface — a visual that underlines the film’s violent, gritty, and unapologetically bold mood. The aesthetic signals a raw and unconventional cinematic experience that departs from mainstream formulas.

The teaser, which will offer a glimpse into the dark world of #CULT, is scheduled to be unveiled on February 21.

Adding to the scale, the film introduces 40 fresh faces, making it one of the most ambitious talent launchpads in recent times. The prominent cast includes Gayatri Bharadwaj, Tarak Ponnappa, Murali Sharma, Srikanth Iyengar, Karthikeya, Anirudh Bhaskar, Yagnya Turlapati, Kabeer Bhartiya, Vishak Nair, and Chepuri Vivek in key roles.

The film is further strengthened by a powerful technical team. Dialogues are penned by Tharun Bhascker, whose sharp and contemporary writing style is expected to add depth to the narrative. Music is composed by Ravi Basrur, known for crafting high-impact, larger-than-life soundscapes. Cinematography is handled by Arvind Vishwanathan, editing by Ravi Teja Girijala, and production design by Arvind Mule — a combination that promises both scale and stylistic intensity.

With an eye firmly set on international markets, #CULT is planned for a multilingual release in Telugu, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, and English. The move reflects the film’s universal thematic ambition and Vishwaksen’s intent to take Tollywood’s experimentation beyond regional boundaries.

If the first look is any indication, #CULT could mark a defining shift in genre storytelling within Indian cinema.