Directed by Prakash Veer and produced by Shri Jaimatha Productions, Darshan’s The Devil is more than just a regular Friday release. The production company is also handling distribution through Supreet and BK Gangadhar, who are managing the theatre setups. This project has become a statewide event, fuelled by Darshan’s strong fan base. When the film premieres on December 11, it is expected to dominate nearly ninety percent of single screens in Karnataka for the first day first shows. This positions it as the largest morning show release for a Kannada film and likely the biggest opening of Darshan’s career. With sold out early shows and near total coverage across the state, The Devil is geared for a huge start.
What is even more remarkable is that this success is unfolding without Darshan's participation in promotions. Despite his absence due to his legal troubles, the songs, the trailer, ongoing discussions, and the loyalty of his fans have propelled the film forward.
Some regions will begin screening the film at 6:30 am, while North Karnataka will start at 8:30 am. Only single screens are allowed to host these morning shows, and already about 150 paid 6:30 am screenings have been confirmed.
Advance booking opened on December 6, and interest spiked almost immediately. Ticketing platforms reported over one lakh ticket sales in a single day, with another thirty thousand sold through offline counters. With about 1.6 lakh tickets sold even before the release and ongoing growth in online bookings, The Devil is racing toward a spectacular opening.
Director Prakash Veer has made it clear about the film’s release plans. “This film was made for Kannada audiences, and it will stay that way,” he said, confirming there are no plans to dub the film into other languages.
The trailer has played a significant role in building curiosity. It keeps Darshan’s character intentionally vague, leaving viewers to wonder if he is the hero or the villain. The clip ends with a line that has quickly become a fan favourite: “Suryange tumba hotthu grahana hidiyalla… nanu bartidini, Chinna.” This dialogue is trending on social media and within fan circles.
Filmed in Bengaluru, Rajasthan, and Bangkok, The Devil has cinematography by Sudhakar S Raj and music by Ajaneesh Loknath. Rachana Rai joins the ensemble, which includes actors liks Tulasi, Achyuth Kumar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Srinivas Prabhu, and Shobhraj.