Shivarajkumar’s return as Bhairathi Ranagal sets theatrical release date

Century Star Shivarajkumar is, perhaps, the only star who consistently delivers at least 2 films a year in theatres. The actor is currently busy with the release of his latest, Karataka Damanaka, while also prepping to begin campaigning for his wife, Geetha Shivarajkumar who will contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. His current shift in priorities, though, is not going to affect his film schedules, though.

Shivanna, as the actor is fondly known as, recently shot for the climax of Bhairathi Ranagal and while the team has not announced completion of principal photography, what they have is a promise to bring the film to theatres later this year. Earlier today, it was revealed that Bhairathi Ranagal will be in theatres on August 15, 2024. The film, directed by Narthan, is a prequel and sequel, focusing on Shivanna’s character from the 2017 film Mufti, which also had Sriimurali in a pivotal role.

In Mufti, Bhairathi Ranagal is a gangster that the police is trying to nab, for which an officer is sent undercover to infiltrate the former’s gang. Sriimurali plays the cop who is tasked with gathering intel on Bhairathi Ranagal. He finds out that while Ranagal has committed crimes, he is a saviour to the people in his village. Ranagal eventually surrenders and is given a jail sentence and it turns out that he knew all along about the undercover cop.

The 2024 film Bhairathi Ranagal digs into the circumstances that led him to being a gangster, feared by some and adored by others, and what happens to him after he’s taken to prison. Shivarajkumar is paired with Sapta Sagaradaache Ello-fame Rukmini Vasanth in the film. The film has been produced by the actor’s home banner, Geetha Pictures.

In an earlier interaction with the media, Shivarajkumar had said that although Mufti is available on OTT, he would like to re-release it in theatres as a refresher of sorts before Bhairathi Ranagal comes out. The Independence Day release of Bhairathi Ranagal sets up a clash with Allu Arjun’s Pushpa: The Rule and, likely, more big-ticket movies.