Cult actor Zaid Khan: Audiences will be surprised with some of the sequences in the film

A little more than three years since his debut film Banaras came out, actor Zaid Khan is ready with his next, Cult, which will be in theatres on January 23, 2026. But for a couple of songs and a birthday teaser that came out almost a year ago, there’s nothing much about the film in the public domain, which should change on January 16, when the trailer comes out. As he counts down to the release of Cult, one thing that Zaid is sure is that audiences will be dumbstruck that someone like him has played such a character. “It’s not a film or role that people would have expected. They will, no doubt, wonder how, someone like me and given my background, agreed to play this character,” he said in conversation with Kairam Vaashi.

What was most challenging about Cult for Zaid Khan?

The actor adds that he was excited about the three shades his character Madhav has in the film, which he says was challenging but enjoyable for him as an artiste. “There are some sequences in the film that, I believe, someone in my position, given the family background, would not be willing to do, but I have done them, putting aside all other baggage. The idea was to surrender to the story and do whatever it required,” said Zaid, adding that his ultimate goal is to be a top tier star in the Kannada film industry.

In his pursuit of stardom, Zaid is willing to do whatever it takes and is acutely aware that to get to this destination, he will have to put in a lot of hard work. “You also need to be brilliant and smart, because cinema is a gamble. Your luck should go hand in hand with your thought process and you need to be quick. After doing a film, you can’t sit back and say you have done your job, you need to make sure it reaches audiences,” he said.

Also read: Zaid Khan goes from sci-fi to all out mass with his second film, Cult 

Zaid and the team of Cult have been promoting the film across the state and what he has understood is that no matter how good a film has been made, if the hero does not connect with audiences, they will not come to theatres. “They need to like you as a person and for that to happen, you need to first go and knock at their door,” he signed off.

Cult FAQs

Q. Who is the hero of the Kannada film Cult?

A. Zaid Khan, the son of Karnataka politician Zameer Ahmed Khan, is the hero of Cult. This is Zaid's second film as a leading man, after Banaras.  

Q. Where to watch the Kannada film Cult?

A. The Kannada film Cult will release in theatres on January 23, 2026. The Anil Kumar directorial stars Zaid Khan along with Upadhyaksha and Vidyapati fame Malaika Vasupal and Rachita Ram.