Sainath Ponna

Biography:

Sainath Ponna is a Telugu filmmaker, writer, and director who has taken an unconventional path into Indian cinema. Before pursuing filmmaking, he worked in the corporate sector, gaining professional experience before deciding to follow his interest in storytelling and visual media. He later studied filmmaking at EICAR International Film School in Paris, where he developed his understanding of cinema and filmmaking techniques.

Ponna made his directorial debut with Geometry Box (2022), a Telugu film that he also wrote and edited. His work reflects an interest in contemporary storytelling and character-driven narratives. He has also been associated with the documentary Kiss My Brass, demonstrating his interest in exploring different forms of filmmaking beyond mainstream feature cinema.

He is now directing Talcum Powder, an upcoming Telugu crime dramedy starring Shiva Kandukuri and Drishika Chander. The film is being produced by Raj Kandukuri and is scheduled for theatrical release in November 2026. With Talcum Powder, Ponna is continuing to establish himself as a filmmaker interested in experimenting with modern subjects and genres while working with a new generation of Telugu actors and technicians. Although he maintains a relatively private personal life, his professional journey—from corporate work to film school in Paris and eventually Telugu cinema—makes his career particularly distinctive.