Dhruva Sarja is lining up one of the busiest years of his career, with two pan-India releases confirmed for 2026. KD: The Devil is ready for release and heading to cinemas in March 2026, while Criminal — currently deep into production — is expected to arrive around October 2026. Both films are targeting pan-India releases across Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi.
When Is KD: The Devil Releasing?
KD: The Devil is releasing in cinemas on March 27, 2026, across all five languages simultaneously. The film was originally scheduled for September 4, 2025 before being postponed — making March 2026 its confirmed theatrical window after a long wait. Filmibeat confirmed the March 2026 release date as the film completed post-production and entered its release campaign phase.
| Film | Director | Release Date | Status | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KD: The Devil | Prem | March 27, 2026 | Ready for Release | Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi |
| Criminal | Raja Guru | October 2026 (expected) | Currently Shooting | Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi |
What Is KD: The Devil About and Who Stars in It?
KD: The Devil is a period action drama set in 1970s Bangalore, based on real events from that era. Directed by Prem — one of Kannada cinema’s most commercially successful directors — the film follows a larger-than-life protagonist through the criminal underworld of old Bangalore, mixing period atmosphere with high-octane action sequences. According to its Wikipedia page, the film draws from true incidents and real figures from the city’s past.
Dhruva Sarja plays the titular KD, and the film assembles an unusually star-studded supporting cast for a Kannada production. Sanjay Dutt and Shilpa Shetty are among the key cast members, joined by Kannada cinema legend V. Ravichandran and veteran actor Ramesh Aravind. Nora Fatehi features in a prominent role, and Koimoi reported that the film’s audio rights sold for a massive amount, signalling significant trade confidence in the project. Kiccha Sudeep appears in a cameo. The film is produced by Venkat K. Narayana.
What Is Criminal About and Who Stars in It?
Criminal is a pan-India romantic action drama directed by Raja Guru, currently in active production. Hollywood Reporter India confirmed that Dhruva Sarja and Rachita Ram have begun filming, with the shoot described as being in full swing. Rachita Ram, one of Kannada cinema’s most bankable leading actresses, plays the female lead opposite Dhruva Sarja.
The film is produced by Manish Shah under the Goldmines Telefilms banner — a production house with a strong distribution network across North India, which positions Criminal well for its Hindi-language release. Music is composed by Chandan Shetty, and cinematography is handled by Vaidy S. Filmibeat lists Criminal as a 2026 release, with the October window matching the tweet’s production timeline estimate.
When Is Criminal Releasing and What to Expect?
Criminal does not have a confirmed release date yet, but the tweet places it around October 2026 based on the current pace of production. Given that the film is shooting now — March 2026 — an October theatrical window is an achievable target if post-production stays on schedule. The film will release simultaneously in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi, making it a genuine pan-India outing.
For Dhruva Sarja, having two pan-India films in a single calendar year marks a significant step up in his career ambitions. KD: The Devil gives him a prestige period action platform with marquee Hindi cinema names in the cast, while Criminal — a contemporary romantic action drama with Rachita Ram — plays to his established Kannada audience base before expanding nationally. Both films together make 2026 the most important year of his career to date.