Pokiri ( English : Rogue ) is a 2006 Indian Telugu @-@ language action film , written and directed by Puri Jagannadh . The film was produced by Jagannadh and Manjula Ghattamaneni by their respective production companies Vaishno Academy and Indira Productions . The film star Mahesh Babu and Ileana D 'Cruz ; Prakash Raj , Nassar and Sayaji Shinde appear in prominent roles . The plot revolve around the life of an undercover police officer , Krishna Manohar , who infiltrate a mafia gang headed by a Dubai @-@ based don Ali Bhai , under the pseudonym Pandu .