PremiumKannada theatrical releases to look forward to in the first quarter of 2025
Actors like Sharan, Rishi, Prajwal Devaraj, Pruthvi Ambaar, Pramod, Shreyas K Manju, Naveen Shankar, Loose Mada Yogi, among others, have releases lined up in the first 3 months of the new year
Last Updated: 09.22 PM, Jan 07, 2025
In the last 2 quarters of 2024, there was a lot of uncertainty regarding the releases of several big-ticket films, including Martin, Bhairathi Ranagal, UI and Max, which, in turn, meant that several smaller projects lay waiting on the sidelines, looking for a window to hit theatres. With most of the major films out of the way and the next set still some way of, the first 3 months of the year will see a bevy of smaller titles heading to theatres.
Despite the onslaught of major releases in Tamil and Telugu, which will take up a lion’s share of screens/shows in Karnataka, there are Kannada original Sankranti releases. Sharan’s horror comedy Choo Mantar, Dileep Raj’s Nimma Vasthugaligage Neeve Javaabdaararu, and Srinagarr Kitty’s romantic drama Sanju Weds Geetha get festival releases on January 10.
Rishi’s return to playing cop, Rudra Garuda Purana, Dinakar Thoogudeepa’s directorial comeback Royal, featuring Viraat and Sanjana Anand, and Forest, starring Aniissh, Gurunandan, Chikkanna, will be in theatres on January 24.
A week later, Naveen Shankar’s much-delayed solo film Nodidavaru Enantare, Vijay Raghavendra’s Rippen Swamy and Prajwal Devaraj’s Gana close out the first month of the year.
Love Mocktail 2 fame Rachel David has two releases in quick succession in February. First, on February 7, she will be seen in Unlock Raghava along with Milind, followed by Bhuvanam Gaganam only a week later, in which she is paired with Pramod. Bhuvanam Gaganam also stars Pruthvi Ambaar, who will then be seen in the much-delayed Life is Beautiful, along with Priyanka Upendra, on February 28.
Yet another delayed film that will finally see the light of day is Shreyas K Manju’s Vishnupriya. The film, which pairs Shreyas with Priya Prakash Varrier, releases on February 21. Prajwal is getting a second releasein the first quarter, it is reported, with Rakshasa said to hit theatres in March.
Like 2024, this year too will have a dearth of major Kannada releases. Yash’s Toxic will not be in theatres in April, although it is rumoured to now be a December 2025 release. Rishab Shetty has announced an October outing for Kantara Chapter 1, which is the only confirmed A-list film so far. Rakshit Shetty is yet to go on floors with Richard Anthony, while Sudeep will begin working on Billa Ranga Baasha in February.
Out on bail, Darshan is reportedly resuming work on Devil in February, but it remains to be seen if he can complete it amid his legal troubles and if it will release in 2025. Shivarajkumar’s 45 is complete, but the buzz is that it will be out only in the second quarter, which is also the case with Dhruva Sarja’s KD The Devil.