Challenging Star Darshan's The Devil to be released in actor’s absence?

In a message relayed through his wife, Vijayalakshmi, Darshan urged fans to support the team of The Devil in their efforts to complete and release the film

Darshan in the first look of Devil

When actor Darshan Thoogudeepa returned to jail after his bail in the Renukaswamy murder case was cancelled by the Supreme Court a day ahead of the planned release of the first song from his film The Devil, the team had to put those plans on hold. With the apex court order stipulating that no bail be considered for the actor until the trial court proceedings in the case are completed, it was thought that the film’s theatrical release would also be postponed indefinitely.

Reports suggested that it would take a minimum of 6 months, if not more, for the proceedings to be wrapped up, a time that the actor would definitely remain incarcerated at the Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru. The Devil would, therefore, be in theatres sometime in 2026, it was thought, depending on how the Renukaswamy case plays out.

The Devil to be in theatres in 2025 after all?

However, given the financial difficulty this would cause the team of The Devil, Darshan has now urged his fans to support them in their efforts to complete the film and bring it to theatres. The actor’s wife took to social media to post his message to fans. In his message, Darshan said that irrespective of his current situation, it was his duty to support the director and producer who invested crores to bring their dream to the big screen. He hoped that his fans would ensure that all film related work goes on without any hurdles.

Also read: Darshan back to jail; Supreme Court cancels Challenging Star’s bail

The Devil is directed by Prakash Veer, who made Tarak with Darshan earlier. Prakash has also co-produced it and has, according to sources, already sustained substantial losses, owing to the delay in production when the actor was arrested in the case in June last year. Although Darshan was released on interim bail in late November, which was later confirmed as regular bail, the actor returned to the set of the film only by February and wrapped it up in July this year.

The buzz was that the team was working at break-neck speed to ensure that The Devil hits theatres before the end of the year, as several other business deals were contingent on it being in theatres in 2025. A release date announcement is, therefore, expected shortly.

FAQs

Q. Why was Darshan arrested?

A. Darshan was arrested on June 11, 2024 in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. 35-year-old Renukaswamy was tortured to death for allegedly sending lewd messages to Darshan's alleged partner of many years, Pavitra Gowda and at his behest, the former was brought to Bengaluru, where he was beaten up and later succumbed to his injuries. Pavitra is accused number 1, while Darshan is accused number 2.

Q. When was Darshan given bail?

A. Darshan was granted interim medical bail in late November claiming he needed surgical intervention for a bad back issue. He was then granted regular bail by the High Court in mid-December, the circumstances of which have been questioned by the Supreme Court, which, on August 14, 2025, 8 months later, cancelled his bail.

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