Agnyathavasi on OTT: 5 reasons to stream Rangayana Raghu-led Kannada murder mystery

It was during the promotions of his latest film Agnyathavasi that Gultoo director Janardhan Chikkanna said that he got Sapta Sagaradaache Ello maker Hemanth M Rao on board as producer after he told him about his struggles to get backing for his next. Intrigued by the pitch that Janardhan had, Hemanth decided to support him and got a couple more investors on board.

However, after the film was ready, Hemanth decided against releasing it then, as the market was not conducive for theatrical or OTT business at the time, which worked out for them. By the time Agnyathavasi was ready for release, it was one of the few Kannada films in recent times to have a streaming partner in place.

The film released in theatres on April 11 and had a decent run, following which it is headed to streaming on Zee5 on May 28, 2025. The film, led by Cyanide fame Rangayana Raghu, is a murder mystery set in the 90s and has the likes of Sharath Lohithashwa, Arvind Kuplikar, Pavana Gowda, Ravishankar Gowda, Siddu Moolimani, among others on the cast. The technical crew comprised Hemanth’s usual collaborators, Charanraj for music, Advaith Gurumurthy for cinematography and production design by Ullas Hydoor.

If you missed Agnyathavasi in theatres, here are 5 compelling reasons to make it a must-watch on OTT

An intriguing whodunnit

Set in the late 90s, when personal computers were the latest fad that only few could afford, Agnyathavasi’s story unfolds in a small village in the Malnad region that is relatively crime free, where the local police have little policing to do. All of this changes when the local landlord, Srinivasaiah (Sharath Lohithashwa), is found dead. Initially presumed to have died of natural causes owing to old age, it is then revealed that Srinivasaiah may have been murdered, although there are no signs to indicate the same. The inspector (Raghu), though, is convinced of foul play and goes about proving the what, why and how of the crime.

Stellar performances

Agnyathavasi was marketed as a Rangayana Raghu vehicle, given that he’s been in the spotlight recently following his performance in Shakhahaari. While the veteran actor is, no doubt, the central pillar of the film, Agnyathavasi would not be what it is without able support from Pavana, Siddu, Sharath and Ravishankar.

Solid technical team

Audiences are well aware of the magic that Hemanth M Rao brings to the screen with his usual allies, Charanraj, Advaith and Ullas in films like Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, Kavaludaari and Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side A & B. Throw into this mix the sensibilities of Janardhan and the final output is a technically brilliant film that effectively captures the old-world charm of the 90s.

Non-linear narrative style

Janardhan chose to present this murder mystery with a non-linear narrative, wherein the same incidents are shown over and over again, albeit from the viewpoint of a different character each time and adding a few more details. While this may seem repetitive, if you pay attention, you will notice the subtle additions that provide answers to the mystery at hand.

The final act

Given that there are no signs of foul play in the death of the landlord, why is it that the inspector is the only one who’s convinced of murder? This is one of the most intriguing aspects of Agnyathavasi.