Darshan’s latest release The Devil has delivered a strong opening in Karnataka, registering one of the biggest day-one numbers for a Kannada film this year. The film released on December 11 across India and select overseas regions, and despite the absence of conventional publicity, the opening turnout reflected the actor’s loyal fan base and the anticipation around his return to the big screen after two years.
Early box-office estimates place the Karnataka day-one collection at close to ₹10 crore, while the overall figure — including limited releases in other states and overseas — is projected at around ₹12 crore. With promotions unfolding without the star’s participation, the responsibility of building pre-release buzz shifted to the fans, whose active campaigning across social platforms and theatres helped sustain visibility.
Exhibitors also contributed to the film’s early momentum. The Devil had 55 special shows at 6:30 am and secured more than 900 shows on day one, a number that has continued into day two. Bengaluru recorded an occupancy of around 65 per cent, while Mysuru delivered an even stronger showing with over 100 shows and occupancy touching 89 per cent.
Other centres across Karnataka reported steady footfall. Shivamogga, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Kundapura and Tumakuru registered encouraging numbers through the day. Mangaluru, however, saw a slower start with 49 shows and around 23 per cent occupancy, though the overall state-wide response remained favourable.
Ticket pricing played a notable role in the revenue. Multiplex chains such as PVR and INOX opened bookings at ₹500 and ₹900, while most single screens operated at around ₹400. The premium pricing model, combined with Darshan’s wide fan reach, ensured a solid revenue curve from the first show onward.
The Devil features Darshan in a dual role, and his performance has emerged as the film’s key talking point, with audiences highlighting his screen presence and the mass-centric moments. The ensemble includes Rachana Rai, Sharmila Mandre, Achyuth Kumar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Huli Karthik, Gilli Natta, Vinay Gowda and Roger Narayan. Directed by Prakash Veer, the film continues to ride strong fan support, and early numbers indicate a steady weekend ahead at the box office.
