Kennedy trailer: Anurag Kashyap unleashes Rahul Bhat as a lethal insomniac hitman; Sunny Leone joins the dark world

Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy hits ZEE5 on February 20, 2026. After a global festival tour, Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone star in this dark neo-noir about a sleep-deprived hitman seeking redemption.

Rahul Bhat in a still from Kennedy

On February 8, 2026, the neo-noir thriller Kennedy directed by Anurag Kashyap, finally made its official trailer debut, bringing the countdown to its OTT premiere in India. The film, which stars Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, will premiere exclusively on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) on February 20, 2026. This release is the culmination of over three years of touring the world's film festivals, where the film received rave reviews and several standing ovations.

Which international festivals paved the way for Kennedy's success?

The film first gained notoriety in May 2023 during its Midnight Screenings segment premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Its seven-minute standing ovation at Cannes solidified its status as a landmark in modern independent Indian cinema. Afterward, Kennedy embarked on a world tour, screening at festivals such as the Sydney Film Festival, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival in Switzerland, and South Korea's Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. Local audiences in India showed the same level of enthusiasm when they attended its sole screening at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

The protagonist of Kennedy is the officially presumed-dead former police officer Uday Shetty (Rahul Bhat), who suffers from insomnia. Killing for hire for the Mumbai police, he goes by the name Kennedy to avoid detection in the corrupt system. Shetty navigates a dark socio-political nexus while the tale tackles themes of redemption, moral deterioration, and guilt. Critics have panned Bhat's performance, praising his physical transformation—the actor supposedly put on 20 kg to play the character of the sleep-deprived hitman.

ALSO READ: Kennedy finally takes direct-to-OTT release route: Anurag Kashyap’s reaction is all about ‘love, angst and everything in between’

What role does Sunny Leone play in this grim universe of Kennedy?

Charlie, played by Sunny Leone, is a crucial character whose arrival changes Kennedy's life's course. According to critics, her performance in the film reveals a new aspect of her acting chops as she portrays a multi-layered character in Kashyap's grim film universe. Mohit Takalkar, Abhilash Thapliyal, and Megha Burman are all part of the supporting cast, and poet Aamir Aziz makes an appearance as well.

After Ugly (2013) and Dobaaraa (2022), Kennedy is Anurag Kashyap's third film starring Rahul Bhat. Recorded in Prague with the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the film's original score is notable for its atmospheric composition and adds a mournful elegance to the violent onscreen violence.

Why did Kennedy choose a digital-first release strategy?

The makers have chosen a direct-to-digital premiere, although many fans wanted a theatrical release. Prior to its formal debut on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) this month, Kennedy was the sole Indian film chosen for the worldwide opening of Letterboxd's Video Store on December 10, 2025.

Kennedy FAQs:

Q: When is the Kennedy movie release date in India?

A: The Anurag Kashyap directorial Kennedy is scheduled to release in India on February 20, 2026. After a long wait and a successful run at international film festivals, the movie will premiere directly on the OTT platform ZEE5.

Q: Is Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy based on a true story?

A: No, Kennedy is a fictional neo-noir thriller. However, Anurag Kashyap has mentioned that the character was partially inspired by a real-life figure he knew, and the script was influenced by French crime novelist Jean-Patrick Manchette. The film was written "overnight" during the 2020 lockdown.

Q: Why is Sunny Leone in Kennedy?

A: Anurag Kashyap cast Sunny Leone in the role of Charlie in Kennedy to tap into a side of her acting that audiences haven't seen before. Kashyap has noted that he wanted to work with her because she possesses a specific "brokenness" and "vulnerability" that perfectly suited the gritty, noir universe of the film.

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