KD: The Devil

KD: The Devil
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPrem
Written byPrem
Produced byVenkat K. Narayana
Starring
CinematographyWilliam David
Edited bySanketh Achar
Music byArjun Janya
Production
company
Release date
  • 30 April 2026 (2026-04-30)
Running time
141 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

KD: The Devil is a 2026 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film written and directed by Prem and produced by Venkat K. Narayana for KVN Productions. The film stars Dhruva Sarja in the title role, alongside Sudeepa, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, V. Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, Jisshu Sengupta and Nora Fatehi. The music was composed by Arjun Janya, while the cinematography and editing were handled by William David and Sanketh Achar, respectively.[2]

KD: The Devil was theatrically released on 30 April 2026.

Plot

Kaalidasa, also known as Kaali or KD, who begins as a small-time, good‑natured individual with modest ambitions—often depicted as a kerosene dealer or petty criminal living within a close-knit social and family circle. His life changes when a series of missteps and external circumstances push him into contact with powerful crime syndicates. Influenced by his admiration for the feared don Dhak Deva and further complicated by his relationships—particularly with his principled brother Dharma and his assertive love interest Lakshmi—Kaali gradually becomes drawn into a world defined by violence, loyalty, and shifting power dynamics. Kaali’s involvement in the underworld intensifies into a broader struggle for survival and identity.

What begins as accidental involvement evolves into a conflict driven by family protection, betrayal, and revenge, with the protagonist transforming from an underdog into a feared figure within the criminal hierarchy. Secondary elements—such as law enforcement manipulation, political pressures, and rival gang interests—expand the stakes, portraying a chaotic ecosystem where alliances are unstable and moral boundaries blurs

Cast

Production

Actor Dhruva Sarja announced his new project with director Prem and producer Venkat K. Narayana under the KVN Productions, on 18 April 2022, tentatively titled #KVN4.[3] The film's title as KD: The Devil was announced on 20 October 2024.[4] Reeshma Nanaiah joined the cast to play the female lead.[5] Sanjay Dutt,[6] Shilpa Shetty,[7] V. Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind and Nora Fatehi[8] joined the cast in important roles. Principal photography of the film began after a muhurat shot on 24 April 2022 and filming commenced on 22 October 2024.[3]

Soundtrack

KD: The Devil
Soundtrack album by
Arjun Janya
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageKannada
LabelAnand Audio
Arjun Janya chronology
45
(2025) 		KD: The Devil
(2026) 		Trishulam
(TBA)

The music of the film was composed by Arjun Janya. The music rights of the film were acquired by Anand Audio.[2] The first single titled "Shiva Shiva" was released on 24 December 2024.[9] The second single titled "Settagalla" was released on 29 March 2025.[10]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s) and Artist(s)Length
1."Shiva Shiva"Manjunath BSPrem, Kailash Kher3:37
2."Settagalla"PremMika Singh3:40
3."Annthamma Jodetthu Kano"Manjunath B.S.Prem3:57
4."Sarse Ninna Sarega Sarse"PremAishwarya Rangarajan3:55
5."Nuggi Hodi"PremShankar Mahadevan4:08
6."Come On Kaali"PremAnthony Daasan3:15

Release

Theatrical

KD: The Devil was theatrically released on 30 April 2026 after facing multiple delays.[11][12] The film received an A (adults only) certificate from the CBFC due to gory violence.[1]

Home media

The film began streaming on ZEE5 from 5 June 2026 in Kannada and dubbed versions of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages.[13]

Reception

Sruthi Ganapathy Ramanol, writing for The Hollywood Reporter India commented that "Excess is the real devil here".[14] Latha Srinivasan of NDTV gave 2 stars out of 5 and said that "The film makes a big entrance but doesn't keep you hooked till the end".[15]

Susmita Sameera reviewing for The Times of India gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and writes that "Overall, KD – The Devil delivers a mixed cinematic experience"[16] Vivek M.V. of The Hindu observed that "With a semblance of story and a decent character arc for the protagonist, ‘KD’, starring Dhruva Sarja and directed by Prem, is aimed at lovers of loud ‘masala’ movie lovers who care less for depth in writing."[17]

Jagadish Angadi of Deccan Herald feels that "Despite a star-studded ensemble, including veterans such as Doddanna and Dattanna, and a guest appearance by Sudeepa, the film does little justice to its talent pool."[18] Sanjay Ponnappa of India Today rated it 2.5 stars out of 5 and said that "This Dhruvl Sarja-Sanjay Dutt-starrer period action drama is entertaining in bits but is mostly loud, messy and violent."[19]

Controversy

The film's director Prem and production house KVN Productions faced criticism over the lyrics of the song "Sarse Ninna Seraga Sarse", which was released as the third single from the soundtrack.[20] The music video of the song, which prominently featured a Hindi-language version of the song, starred Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt. The song faced backlash, while online users expressed their ire towards the lyrics, labeling them as “vulgar” and “suggestive”.[21][22][23][24] The song was soon removed from YouTube.[25]

Sequel

In the film's end credits, a proposed sequel titled KD 2: Evil's Kingdom was announced.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b "Dhruva Sarja Starrer KD: The Devil Gets 'A' Certificate Ahead Of April 30 Release". News18. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  2. ^ a b NP Jayaram (20 October 2022). "Dhruva Sarja- Prems's film titled 'KD-The Devil', title teaser out!". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Dhruva Sarja's #KVN4 muhurath ceremony to be held on April 24". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Dhruva Sarja-Prem's film titled 'KD - the Devil', title teaser out!". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Reeshma Nanaiah to play the female lead in Prem-Dhruva Sarja's 'KD – The Devil'". The Hindu. 29 April 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Sanjay Dutt as Dhak Deva in Prem's 'KD - the Devil' draws inspiration from Khal Nayak". 30 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Shilpa Shetty Kundra joins the cast of Dhruva Sarja's 'KD- The Devil'". The Hindu. 22 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Nora Fatehi to make acting debut in Kannada film industry with KD-The Devil". The Telegraph. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Soul-stirring folk anthem 'Shiva Shiva' from 'KD - The Devil' released". The Hans India. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  10. ^ "KD-The Devil | Song - Settagalla (Lyrical)". The Times of India. 24 December 2024.
  11. ^ "Prem-Dhruva Sarja's KD: The Devil locks new release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  12. ^ "Rs 1500 cr on 3 films: With Toxic, Jana Nayagan, has KVN Productions bitten off more than it can chew?". The Indian Express. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  13. ^ "KD: The Devil heads to OTT". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  14. ^ Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy (30 April 2026). "'KD: The Devil' Review: Fleeting Moments Of Kitschy Fun In An Otherwise Jarring Action Drama". The Hollywood Reporter India.
  15. ^ Srinivasan, Latha (30 April 2026). "KD The Devil Review: This Dhruva Sarja Flick Is All Style And Little Substance". NDTV.
  16. ^ Sameera, Susmita (30 April 2026). "KD: The Devil Movie Review: A Star-Studded Spectacle with a Cliffhanger End". The Times of India.
  17. ^ M.V., Vivek (30 April 2026). "'KD: The Devil' movie review: Prem, Dhruva Sarja offer a fan service that's just about watchable". The Hindu.
  18. ^ Angadi, Jagdish (30 April 2026). "KD: The Devil Review: Grand spectacle, no narrative heft". Deccan Herlad.
  19. ^ Ponappa, Sanjay (30 April 2026). "KD The Devil review: Dhruva Sarja's film is a brain-rot commercial entertainer". India Today.
  20. ^ "WTF ARE THESE LYRICS?". Retrieved 17 March 2026 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "'KD: The Devil' song: KVN Productions takes down track after severe backlash over 'vulgar' lyrics". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  22. ^ "KD The Devil song Sarse Ninna Seraga Sarse: Netizens call Nora Fatehi-Sanjay Dutt number 'vulgar', fans say they'll disown director Prem". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  23. ^ "'KD: The Devil' makers set to re-release 'sanitized' version of 'Sarse Ninna Seraga Sarse'". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  24. ^ "'Sarke Chunariya' row: Director Prem apologises, says lyrics misinterpreted". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Nora Fatehi 'Sarke Chunar' song controversy: Writer Raqueeb Alam says 'maine nahi likhe hain' after 'KD: The Devil' movie song pulled down amid backlash". The Economic Times. 19 March 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  26. ^ "'KD: The Devil': Dhruva Sarja and Prem's film tests your limits for little to no reward". TheNewsMinute. Retrieved 30 April 2026.

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