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Actor Aafiya Sayed has announced her first Telugu film as the female lead in Alias Rukmini, a Telugu romantic drama starring Nithiin, ahead of the film's scheduled theatrical release on December 4, 2026. Alias Rukmini marks Sayed's Telugu debut, coming shortly after her debut in Prem Keetanu, the Hindi college comedy directed by Apoorv Singh Karki that released on October 2.
The film is directed by Muralikanth Devasoth and produced by actor Nani and Deepthi Ganta under Nani's production banner Unanimous Productions. It is shot by Jomon T John and has music by Vijai Bulganin.
Speaking about the project, Sayed said:, "It feels surreal to be making my Telugu debut with Alias Rukmini. Murali sir is an incredible visionary and him and the team at Unanimous Productions are really committed to making something incredibly special. Working alongside Nithiin, Nani sir as a producer, it's all really a huge privilege. We're really making this film with a lot of heart and can't wait to share it with the world on the 4th of December."
Nithiin is a Telugu actor known for films like Ishq (2012), A..Aa (2016), Rang De (2021) and Macherla Niyojakavargam (2022). His most recent theatrical releases were Thammudu (2025) and Robinhood (2025). Alias Rukmini marks his first pairing with Aafiya Sayed. He also has two other films lined up along with Alias Rukmini. Apart from a film with Sithara Entertainment, he could also be seen in a film to be directed by Anji.
Director Muralikanth Devasoth has previously written and directed Dhandoraa, a 2025 community drama starring Sivaji, Mounika and Muralidhar Goud. Devasoth has also written and starred in Nee Dhaarey Nee Katha (2024).
In a fascinating title reveal of Alias Rukmini, which was released earlier, we listen in on a conversation between actor Nani and Nithiin. In what looks like the setting of a pulp novelist’s study, both actors can be seen discussing the nature of the novels written by Nithiin’s character. At first, we see glimpses of a love story taking place between a newly married couple. Second is that of a same-sex love story, and in the third, we see a shot of a wife married to a staunch husband. These novels seem to be the bread and butter for this writer, and his pen name “Rukmini” is hinted at being the real name of his wife. The two-minute title reveal video ends with Nithiin wearing a pair of glasses, staring straight towards the camera.