Big-ticket Kannada films to look forward to in 2026: From Landlord, Toxic to KD The Devil and more

The Kannada film industry and audiences had little to cheer in 2025, what with star-led films like Darshan’s The Devil, Kiccha Sudeep’s Mark, the multi-starrer 45, Yuva Rajkumar’s Ekka underperforming at the box office. While Rishab Shetty’s Kantara prequel Kantara Chapter 1 provided some solace, which was a given anyway, the only other performer was the comedy Su From So, backed by Raj B Shetty. Will 2026 be any better? Going by the list of confirmed and other possible releases, chances are that it will be.

Here’s a look at the star-led Kannada films expected to hit theatres in 2026

Landlord

Salaga and B heema star Duniya Vijay kicks it off with Landlord, his maiden collaboration with Gentleman and Guru Shishyaru maker Jadeshaa K Hampi, who is also the writer of Darshan’s Kaatera. The film, which also stars Raj B Shetty as the antagonist, and pairs Rachita with Vijay, will be in theatres on January 23, 2026. A rural subject with farmer rights at its core, Landlord’s promotional material so far has given it Kaatera vibes.

Landlord releases in theatres on January 23, 2026

Also read: Raj B Shetty on Landlord: As antagonist, I got a character with a lot of emotional range 

Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups

The most anticipated film of 2026 is, without an iota of doubt, Rocking Star Yash’s Toxic. A mafia flick set in the 50s and 60s, the film has been co-written by Yash and director Geetu Mohandas, with the cast also including the likes of Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Akshaye Oberoi, Sudev Nair, among others. It is Yash’s first release in 4 years, since 2022’s monster hit KGF-Chapter 2 and will release on March 19, 2026. It was initially announced as an April 10, 2025 release, but had to be pushed ahead, owing to production delays. The film is said to have been modelled on the English series Peaky Blinders.

Toxic releases in theatres on March 19, 2026

KD The Devil

Dhruva Sarja, who was last seen in the disaster that was Martin, has director Prem’s KD The Devil lined up as his next. A period gangster film, KD also stars Sanjay Dutt, V Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Shilpa Shetty, Reeshma Nanaiah, among others, with Kiccha Sudeep in a pivotal cameo. The film went on floors in October 2022 and was often rumoured as a second half of 2025 release. Once it became clear that the film will not meet any of those deadlines and became a 2026 release, it was speculated that the makers would bring it to theatres only after their two marquee titles – Jana Nayagan (January 9) and Toxic (March 19). KD The Devil has been announced as an April 30, 2026 theatrical release.

KD The Devil in theatres on April 30, 2026

Billa Ranga Baashaa

Kiccha Sudeep is hopeful of making his second collaboration with Anup Bhandari his third Christmas release, after Max (2024) and Mark (2025). But unlike Mark, which he wrapped up in a little more than 4 months, Billa Ranga Baashaa is an ambitious project set 200 years in the future that has to be shot on specially erected sets and requires massive pre and post production schedules. The actor has shot for one schedule of the film, and began Mark during a break. He has said that he will resume the film in February, after he completes his Celebrity Cricket League commitment. Sudeep has also greenlit a rom-com, which will go on floors shortly and could be his 2026 release after all.

Billa Ranga Baashaa tentative theatrical release on December 25, 2026

666 Operation Dream Theatre, Dad and more

Century Star Shivarajkumar continues to be the busiest Kannada actor. He’s got Hemanth M Rao’s spy thriller 666 Operation Dream Theatre lined up, as well as Aneel Kanneganti’s father-daughter emotional drama, Dad, the home production A for Anand and Bail with Pavan Wadeyar. He’s also been busy with pivotal roles in Ram Charan’s Peddi, Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2, and is headlining the Gummadi Narsaiah biopic. None of Shivarajkumar’s current Kannada projects have confirmed release dates, but he will have at least 2 in theatres this year.

Bhargava

Real Star Upendra, who was last seen in Arjun Janya’s debut directorial 45, has a couple of films lined up, some of which are several years old, like, for instance, Raktha Kashmira (earlier Bhimoos Bang Bang) and Buddhivanta 2. The newer one that has been listed as a 2026 release is Bhargava, dubbed as the tale of a violent family man. The teaser of the Naganna directorial had been widely thrashed, with netizens stating that it feels jaded.

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 Geetu 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 Adults?

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.