Agnyathavasi release: Gultoo maker Janardhan Chikkanna’s mystery thriller sets date with audiences

Kannada writer-director-producer Hemanth M Rao’s fourth production venture and first under his newly-launched banner Dakshayani Talkies, Agnyathavasi, is finally ready for theatrical release. The film, directed by Janardhan Chikkanna, of Gultoo fame, had been announced in April 2022, and was ready a year later, with Hemanth hinting at a mid-2023 release. That, however, did not pan out, as Hemanth then got busy with the release of his own directorial – Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side A and Side B.

Also read:

Maiden teaser of Agnyathavasi, mystery thriller produced by Hemanth M. Rao, out on THIS date 

Agnyathavasi in theatres this April

According to sources, in November last year, screenings were held for the film’s post-theatrical satellite and digital business, which, we are told, has been closed. The team has now announced the film’s theatrical release date. With Rocking Star Yash’s Toxic moving out of the April 10, 2025 slot, Agnyathavasi joins Kannada films like Vidyapati and Vamana, albeit a day later on April 11. They will be in competition with Sunny Deol’s Jaat, Ajith’s Good Bad Ugly, Mammootty’s Bazooka, Dhanush’s Idly Kadai, among others.

Agnyathavasi is based on a story by Guru Krishnaraj, and follows a mysterious crime that happened in the Malnad region in the 90s. Rangayana Raghu, Paavana and Siddu Moolimani play main roles, while Ravi Shankar Gowda, Sharath Lohithashwa, etc., fill in the supporting cast. A teaser that came out last year had Rangayana Raghu talking about a ‘cursed’ town, where people who leave, never ever return. When a murder is suspected to have taken place, but no evidence whatsoever to support this theory, he also says that when one puts his mind to it, you don’t need any other weapon.

Also read: Hemanth M Rao to announce Shivarajkumar's Bhairavana Kone Paata release date on THIS day 

The film has Hemanth’s regular collaborators, composer Charan Raj and cinematographer Advaitha Gurumurthy also on board. Following the release of Agnyathavasi, Hemanth is then expected to get started on his next directorial with Century Star Shivarajkumar in the lead – Bhairavana Kone Paata. The actor, who has been recuperating since his surgery in December as part of the treatment for cancer of the bladder, has said that he begins shooting, albeit not strenuous stuff, in early March. Bhairavana Kone Paata could be expected to go on floors in April or May this year.