Karna serial update: Kiran Raj-led show gets a telecast date and yes, Bhavya Gowda’s in it

Karna, the latest Kannada family drama starring Kannadathi fame Kiran Raj in the lead, along with Bhavya Gowda and Namrata Gowda, should have been airing for more than a couple of weeks by now. The show, directed by actor-filmmaker Ramesh Indira, and produced by Shruti Naidu, was meant to begin airing on June 16, but then there was a legal hurdle involving Bhavya Gowda and her ongoing post-Bigg Boss Kannada contract with Colors Kannada.

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The reason for Karna's delay

While the legal proceedings were not directly initiated by the channel, it was about her 6-month non-compete clause contract, according to which, Bhavya could not be a part of a show on another GEC. Following the notice, the air date was suspended indefinitely and there were rumours that the showrunners may look at replacing Bhavya, as the buzz was that her contract would end only by the end of July.

However, it looks like the channel, Zee Kannada has come to some sort of arrangement, as Karna has now got its air date and the cast remains intact. The show will officially be telecast on Zee Kannada on July 3 at 8 pm, but the first episode is already available to stream on Z5, and, by extension, on OTTplay Premium as well.

According to the official synopsis, Karna is about the title character, Dr Karna, played by Kiran Raj, who ends up marrying a pregnant woman under certain circumstances. Amid battles with the extended family of the in laws, Karna finds solace and hope in his friend, and fellow doctor, Nidhi, played by Bhavya.

Karna is the latest offering from the makers of Ayyana Mana, Z5’s first original Kannada web series. Ramesh Indira is best known for serials like Yaare Nee Mohini, Olavina Nildana, Nammamma Sharade, Mahadevi, among others, as well as the film Premier Padmini. For Kannada audiences, though, he is Sapta Sagaradaache Ello’s despicable villain, Soma.