Landlord’s Duniya Vijay about film’s 80s setting: It is important to document history
Landlord, directed by Jadeshaa K Hampi, is a tale of oppression set in a village in north Karnataka, with the fight for equality at the crux of the narrative. The film releases on January 23, 2026
Last Updated: 10.03 PM, Jan 22, 2026
From the first poster to the trailer, every bit of Duniya Vijay’s Landlord that was put in the public domain was compared to the 2023 Darshan starrer Kaatera, because both films were written by the same man, Jadeshaa K Hampi. Like Kaatera, Landlord too is a film set 4 decades ago, and deals with a tale of oppression, which, eventually forces the protagonist to fight for what is rightfully theirs. Jadeshaa admits that Landlord belongs to the same genre as Kaatera, but the characters and the issues that have been dealt with are vastly different.
Why is Duniya Vijay's period film Landlord relevant?
The question that remains, though, is about the relevancy of a subject set in that period for today’s generation. Vijay believes it is important for such stories to be told from time to time to tell newer generations about the struggles of the past that have contributed to the better and brighter present that they enjoy. “If we don’t present these stories now, it cannot be done later on. It is important to document history for future generations and that is what we have tried to do with Landlord,” he told Cinema Express.
The difference between Landlord and his own directorials Salaga and Bheema, Vijay Says, is that his films barely touch upon social issues and injustice, whereas Jadeshaa has told a story that is from start-to-finish about equality, the constitution and so on and so forth.
Also read: Duniya Vijay’s Landlord bookings open: Fans not enthused about rural backdrop tale of oppression?
The film, meanwhile, is a collection of real-life events that Jadeshaa has fictionalised for the screen. The filmmaker has picked events that have occurred even as recently as 10-15 years ago and have still not got justice in his film. Landlord also stars Raj B Shetty, Rachita Ram, Rithanya Vijay, Shishir Baikady, Mithra, Umashree, among others.
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.