Duniya Vijay’s Landlord bookings open: Fans not enthused about rural backdrop tale of oppression?

Duniya Vijay’s film Bheema was the 2024 film that broke the slump that the Kannada industry was facing and brought audiences back to theatres. Although he had an extensive cameo in the rather forgettable Marutha last year, it is Landlord that brings him back to Sandalwood in a leading role. The Jadeshaa K Hampi directorial releases in theatres on January 23, 2026 and bookings for the same have opened. Unlike the response to Bheema, and Salaga before that, the response, though, has been lukewarm.

Why is there not much buzz about Landlord?

Are audiences waiting for reviews and word-of-mouth publicity from the first show given that the promotional material of the film looked and felt a lot like 2023’s Kaatera, which Jadeshaa had co-written? Or is it that hardcore Duniya Vijay fans would rather see him in gritty underworld tales like Salaga and Bheema? What gives?

The bigger problem right now seems to be the Kaatera vibe that Landlord is giving off, what with some netizens stating that it looks like a mix of the Darshan starrer, as well as Dhanush’s Tamil film Asuran. “Kaatera backdrop, veda tara revenge story.. amele dhanush du asuran tara copy eruthe,” wrote one user, while another reckoned that the Vetrimaran school of filmmaking about oppression and suppression does not work for Kannada audiences.

Also read: Duniya Vijay’s Landlord to have paid premieres or early-morning shows? 

Although Kaatera was also about oppression and a fight for rights, its victory is largely down to the star power of leading man Darshan. In fact, during the release of Kaatera also there was a lot of discussion about the film’s similarities to Asuran, but eventually, fans were impressed by the fact that the Challenging Star played someone from an oppressed section of community and became the voice of the voiceless. As much as Vijay is also a mass commercial hero, with action as his forte, his fan following is built on a different kind of cinema.

Landlord FAQs

Q. What is Jadesha K Hampi's claim to fame?

A. Jadesha K Hampi has made films like Gentleman and Guru Shishyaru earlier and served as writer for Darshan Thoogudeepa's Kaatera, befor e returning to direction with Landlord.

Q. When is Landlord releasing in theatres?

A. Landlord will be in theatres on January 23, 2026. The film stars Duniya Vijay in the lead, along with Rachita Ram and Raj B Shetty.