Cockroach is a Tollywood movie releasing on 6 March 2026 starring Abhilash Sunkara and Tirrtha Mumbairkar in the lead roles. The film has built steady pre-release curiosity with its bold and hard-hitting trailer that has already crossed good views in a short time. It shows a raw and unusual love story between two people living on the edges of society.
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Trade circles are keeping an eye on this one because it is a small-budget adult drama with a strong social message. Director P. Suneel Kumar Reddy, known for his realistic films, is bringing something different this time. With no big stars but honest storytelling, the movie is expected to open decently in urban centres and single screens where bold content finds its audience.
What makes this release stand out is its fearless look at society’s double standards. The story brings together a contract killer and a street-side sex worker in an intense emotional bond. Early reactions to the trailer show people talking about its powerful dialogues and real-life feel. In cities and some mass pockets the film can see good morning shows from Friday itself.
Worldwide, Telugu audiences who like serious cinema are already sharing the trailer. If word of mouth stays strong over the weekend, Cockroach has the potential to become a steady performer in its category, like many recent small realistic dramas that earned well through strong content.
Cockroach 2026 Overview

| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Cockroach |
| Directed by | P. Suneel Kumar Reddy |
| Written by | P. Suneel Kumar Reddy |
| Produced by | B Bapi Raju |
| Actor | Abhilash Sunkara |
| Actress | Tirrtha Mumbairkar |
| Other Cast | Minakshi Ojha, LB Ramana, Pola Naveen, KS Prem Kumar and others |
| Cinematography | Santosh Shakthi |
| Edited by | Raghavendra Reddy P. |
| Music by | Pradeep Chandra |
| Production Companies | Sri Lakshmi Pictures |
| Distributed by | NA |
| Release Date | 6 March 2026 |
| Running Time | 1h 56m |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Film Industry | Tollywood |
| Genre | Drama |
| Censor Rating | A |
Cockroach Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | India Gross (₹ crore) | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 6 March 2026 | To be updated | (Opening Day) |
| Lifetime India Net | – | To be updated | – |
| Lifetime India Gross | – | To be updated | – |
| Lifetime Worldwide Gross | – | To be updated | – |
Cockroach is a Hit or Flop
Pending
What is the budget of Cockroach
The film is made on a modest budget of approximately ₹4 crore.
Cockroach OTT release date
- OTT Platform: TBA
- OTT date: Expected 8-10 weeks after theatrical run
Our Review
Cockroach is the kind of bold and realistic drama that Telugu cinema needs more of. Director P. Suneel Kumar Reddy has written and directed a film that does not shy away from hard truths. Abhilash Sunkara plays the contract killer with raw intensity and Tirrtha Mumbairkar brings real pain and strength as the sex worker. Their unusual love story feels believable and emotional. The supporting cast including Minakshi Ojha, LB Ramana and Pola Naveen add depth to the story.
What works best is the way the film shows society’s double standards – how violence is accepted but people living under compulsion are judged. Pradeep Chandra’s music and background score support the serious mood perfectly. Santosh Shakthi’s cinematography captures the dark and gritty world in a natural way while Raghavendra Reddy P.’s editing keeps the 1 hour 56 minute runtime tight and gripping. Compared to recent big commercial films, Cockroach stands apart because it focuses on content over glamour. It reminds us of earlier realistic Telugu dramas that spoke about real issues but with a fresh and bold presentation.
The trailer has already shown the intense bond between the lead pair and the powerful social message – both look very strong on screen. For audiences who want serious cinema with strong performances and no unnecessary songs or dances, this film offers something meaningful. Early trailer reactions are positive from people who like thought-provoking stories. The ‘A’ certificate tells us it is meant for mature viewers and it handles adult themes with honesty and respect.
Director Suneel Kumar Reddy, who has won awards for his previous socially relevant films, has once again proved that good stories about marginalised people can still connect with audiences. Box office wise, Cockroach is entering theatres at the right time with limited competition in its segment. Advance bookings are steady in urban areas where such bold content finds takers. For a film made on a small budget of around ₹4 crore, if the first three days get good word of mouth, it can easily recover costs and run well in its target centres.
This is a big chance for new faces like Abhilash Sunkara and Tirrtha Mumbairkar to show their talent. Producer B Bapi Raju and Sri Lakshmi Pictures have backed a film with real heart and the result looks promising. Overall, Cockroach is a powerful and different entertainer that makes you think long after you leave the theatre. If you are okay with mature themes and love honest storytelling, this is one film you should watch this weekend. It may not be for everyone but it will surely leave a strong impact on those who see it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Cockroach releasing?
Cockroach is all set for a theatrical release on 6 March 2026 across Telugu states.
Who is the lead actor and actress in Cockroach?
Abhilash Sunkara plays the lead role with Tirrtha Mumbairkar as the female lead. Minakshi Ojha and others are in supporting roles.
What is the story of Cockroach about?
It is a bold drama about the unusual love between a street-side sex worker and a contract killer. The film exposes society’s hypocrisy and fights for dignity of marginalised people.
Is Cockroach a hit or flop?
Early trailer response suggests it is heading towards an average verdict in its category if word of mouth is positive among mature audiences.
Which OTT platform will stream Cockroach?
The OTT release date and platform have not been announced yet. It is expected to come on a major streaming service 8-10 weeks after theatres.
Who directed Cockroach and who composed the music?
P. Suneel Kumar Reddy has directed and written the film while Pradeep Chandra has composed the music.
Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) and represented in crores, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Indian Standard Time (IST) (UTC +5:30).
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