Most-awaited Kannada theatrical releases of March 2026: Sesha 2016, Aakash to Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown Ups

Most-awaited Kannada releases of March 2026: : The customary re-release for the late Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar apart, March is looking good for Kannada audiences with the arrival of Yash’s Toxic

From Shesha to Akash and Toxic; March is looking brighter for Kannada audiences

In the first two months of 2026, the Kannada film industry has already had a whopping 50 movies in theatres, none of which managed to grab eyeballs and bring audiences back to theatres in droves. In the last couple of years, Sandalwood experienced an upsurge only in the second half of the year, with films like Bheema, Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi, Max, among others in 2024 and Su From So and Kantara in 2025. It’s still a miniscule percentage given that the industry churns out well over 250 movies in a year. This year, the hope is that things will be different, especially since Rocking Star Yash’s much awaited Toxic will be in theatres in March.

Here's a look at the Kannada original and dubbed films expected in theatres in March 2026

Sesha 2016

Debutant director Pradeep Arasikere’s cop drama Sesha 2016 is set at a police station along the Karnataka-Kerala border, where ahead of Dasara, certain events unfold forcing the station to be put under lockdown. The film has been made as a Kannada-Malayalam bilingual, starring the likes of Pramod Shetty, John Kaippallil, Archana Kottige, Sreejith Ravi, Dain Davis, Yash Shetty, among others.

Releasing in: Theatres
Release date: March 6, 2026

Aakash

Puneeth Rajkumar and Ramya were reunited in a romantic drama by debutant director Mahesh Babu two years after their first collaboration Abhi. The film had a stupendous theatrical outing and was one of Puneeth’s biggest hits in his early days. The film was said to be a clean family entertainer, with the music by RP Patnaik also a big hit. The 2005 film is this year’s choice for the customary re-release of a Puneeth film in time for his birth anniversary.

Don't want to wait another two weeks? Stream the film on JioHotstar (available via OTTplay Premium as well)

Releasing in: Theatres
Release date: March 13, 2026

Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown Ups

The big-ticket release of the month is, undoubtedly, Toxic, which comes a good 4 years after Rocking Star Yash’s last, KGF: Chapter 2. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film, a period tale set in the Goa of the 40s to the 70s is about one man’s brutal fight to set up his empire. The film has been co-written by Yash and Geetu, with the actor also playing two characters, presumably father and son. The film also stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Rukmini Vasanth, Tara Sutaria, Sudev Nair, Akshay Oberoi, among others.

Releasing in: Theatres
Release date: March 19, 2026

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge

After skipping a Kannada theatrical release for the original Dhurandhar, the sequel is apparently going with a pan-India outing. The Aditya Dhar directorial, featuring Ranveer Singh in the lead is headed into a box office clash with Yash’s Toxic. Dhurandhar has the record of being the highest grossing film of 2025, despite a Hindi-only release, even outdoing Rishab Shetty’s pan-India movie, Kantara: Chapter 1.

Releasing in: Theatres
Release date: March 19, 2026

Also read:

Dhurandhar review: Transformational Ranveer Singh and show-stealing Akshaye Khanna drive Aditya Dhar's gripping, unflinching spy saga

Toxic FAQs

Q. Who is the director of Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?

A. Toxic A Fairy Tale for Adults has been directed by Moothon maker Geethu Mohandas in what is her Kannada debut. She has co-written the film with leading man Yash.

Q. Where to watch Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?

A. Toxic will be in theatres on March 19, 2026. A Kannada original film, it will have dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English as well.

Share