The Devil ending explained: Here’s why the last scene of Darshan-starrer is problematic

The Devil ending explained: Darshan Thoogudeepa's latest, The Devil, released in theatres on December 11 to mixed reviews, with critics pointing out the normalisation of misogyny and violence

Darshan in The Devil

Kannada cinema’s Challenging Star Darshan Thoogudeepa’s latest, The Devil, released in theatres on December 11 and has opened to mixed reviews, with fans and critics divided in their opinion of the Prakash Veer directorial. The title character, as it turns out, is one of two roles that Darshan plays in the film – Dhanush, the wanton son of the ruling chief minister, who lives by a motto ingrained by his father that if you don’t get what you desire, you should go ahead and seize it nevertheless. This also means that a young Dhanush is absolutely remorseless about raping a classmate, leading his father to ship him off to London to ensure the lad's actions don’t affect his political career.

Why The Devil is problematic

For years, Dhanush carries on with his wayward and vile ways, always satisfying his sexual urges with unwilling victims. And if that isn’t bad enough, he’s equally callous about taking lives, because literally no one will stand up against him and the power that his money holds. Needless to say, alcohol and drugs are also in the mix.

Now, Darshan also plays another character – the do-gooder Krishna, a bumbling simpleton, whose dream it is to make it big in cinema, who also just so happens to be a spitting image of Dhanush. Krishna pretending to be Dhanush and giving the latter a clean chit as far as voters go and turning the tide in his favour, is one part of the tale, but the conflict point is when Krishna and Dhanush face off over a girl.

Also read: The Devil movie review: Darshan vs Darshan in outdated snooze-fest tale of power and love

For the first time in his life, the Devil is not inclined to force himself on the heroine; you see, he is in love. But he still wants her for himself, even though she is clearly not interested and has her heart set on Krishna. And because this film is called The Devil and not Krishna Rukmini, there is glorification of violence and objectification of women, all of which has been condoned.

All hopes that the Devil’s bad deeds will catch up to him go up in smoke in the very last shot of the film. After a fatal shooting, in which Dhanush is presumed dead and Krishna assumes his identity as the new chief minister, Prakash ends his film with a backshot of the actor walking away. All seems well; good triumphed over evil. Or did it, because just then the audience’s attention is drawn to a certain hand gesture, one that is the Devil’s trademark. Did he just fool everyone and get the CM’s chair and the girl by pretending to be Krishna?

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If that is, indeed, the case, did the filmmaker imply that no matter the gravity of the depravity unleashed, the Devil will walk away unscathed, with nary a worry in the world? In the context of the current situation that the leading man finds himself in currently, and otherwise too, that is a dangerous message to put in the public domain.

The Devil FAQs

Q. What was Darshan Thoogudeepa's last release?

A. Darshan Thoogudeepa was last seen onscreen in 2023's Kaatera , which is available on Z5 (via OTTplay Premium also).

Q. What is Darshan's new film?

A. Darshan's new film is The Devil, which has him reuniting with Tarak maker Prakash Veer. The film had been announced as a December 12, 2025 release, but was then advanced by a day. The film has released in the actor's absence, as he is currently in jail in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.

Q. List the cast of The Devil

A. The Devil is led by Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is paired with Rachana Rai. The film also stars Mahesh Manjrekar, Achyuth Kumar, Vinay Gowda, Chandu B Gowda, among many others.

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