Latest Kannada OTT releases (May 26 – June 1) to watch on Prime Video, JioHotstar, Netflix, Sony LIV, theatres and more

WIn the last week of May 2025, there are no new Kannada original or dubbed theatrical releases, but to make up for that deficit, there are multiple titles hitting OTT. Sapta Sagaradadaache Ello maker Hemanth M Rao’s latest production venture, which marked the launch of his new banner, Dakshayini Talkies, Agnyathavasi is one, while Daali Dhananjaya’s film with pal Nagabhushana in the lead, Vidyapati is the other Kannada original film headed audience’s way.

The week will likely be dominated by the three non-Kannada titles that will release on OTT with dubbed versions – Mohanlal's blockbuster Thudarum, Nani’s HIT 3 and Suriya’s Retro – all of which had hit theatres around the same time, and will begin streaming a couple of days apart.

Here’s a look at the Kannada original and dubbed films hitting theatres and OTT in the week of May 26 to June 1

Agnyathavasi 

Much before Gultoo maker Janardhan Chikkanna took on the comedy Powder as a directorial venture, he’d made a murder mystery that Hemanth M Rao had backed as producer and was meant to be his sophomore project. The film, Agnyathavasi, was held back for a better release window, and came out more than a year after it was made, by which time, Janardhan was 2 films old.

Had Agnyathavasi released earlier, it would have beaten Shakhahaari to be the film that gave Rangayana Raghu a lead role, what with Janardhan fixated on casting him based on his performance in Cyanide . In Agnyathavasi, Raghu played a police officer in a sleepy Malnad village of the 90s, when computers were still a novelty. The small community, which has not witnessed a crime in many years, is left reeling, when the local landlord is found dead and the inspector calls it murder. Who did it and why forms the crux of the narrative

Streaming platform: Zee5 and/or OTTplay Premium
Streaming date: May 28, 2025

Vidyapati

Daali Dhananjaya’s fourth production venture, after Badava Rascal, Head Bush and Tagaru Palya, Vidyapati, yet again, had Nagabhushana in the lead. The quirky comedy by Ikkat makers Esham and Haseen, had Nagabhushana as the freeloading husband of superstar Vidya (Upadhyaksha fame Malaika Vasupal), living a life of luxury, until an encounter with a thug not only causes a rift between the couple, but also sends him on a journey of self-discovery. The film also stars Girish Jatti, Bindu Raxidi, among others, with Dhananjaya chipping in with a pivotal cameo. Vidyapati had earlier made its way to OTT, and is now getting a second home.

Streaming platform: Sun NXT and/or OTTplay Premium
Streaming date: May 28, 2025

HIT 3

Writer-director Sailesh Kolanu’s third instalment in the Homicide Intervention Team (HIT) universe, had producer Nani stepping in as protagonist. The story revolves around Arjun Sarkar (Nani), , a ruthless police officer sent by the Homicide Intervention Team to find a group of killers and put an end to their murder spree. One of the highest grossing films of the year, HIT 3 also starred KGF and Cobra fame Srinidhi Shetty, Samuthirakani, Rao Ramesh, Prateik Babbar, Tisca Chopra, among others. The Telugu original film will stream with Kannada audio as well. 

Streaming platform: Netflix
Streaming date: May 29, 2025

Thudarum

Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka fame Tharun Moorthy's family drama that, in his words, is not a feel-good film, Thudarum, starring superstar Mohanlal in the lead, was a runaway hit at the box office. Audiences lapped up the return of Mohanlal the performer and showered immense praise on debutant Prakash Varma, the ad-man turned actor who played the main antagonist, CI George. Thudarum brought Shobana back to Malayalam cinema after a brief hiatus and reunited her with Thenmaavin Kombathu co-star Mohanlal. It will have Kannada audio option. 

Streaming platform: JioHotstar
Streaming date: May 30, 2025

My Hero

Debutant director Avinash Vijaykumar's festival darling film, My Hero, is coming to OTT, months after its theatrical outing. The film follows an American army veteran's India visit to perform Hindu rituals for his deceased son. On this trip, he comes across a young boy, who works as a tourist guide in far-off Madhya Pradesh, having run away from his village in Karnataka under certain circumstances. 

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video (rental only)
Streaming date: May 30, 2025

Zebra

Telugu actor Satyadev's heist thriller Zebra's Kannada dubbed version has a streaming platform and date. The film, directed by Eashvar Karthic, also stars Priya Bhavani Shankar, Sunil, Sathyaraj, Ramaraju, Satya, Surya, Prudhvi Raj. It follows Surya (Satyadev), a bank employee whose girlfriend Swathi (Priya Bhavani Shankar), who works at another bank, makes a mistake and transfers a massive amount of money to a customer, which Surya covers up by committing a white-collar crime. This, however, puts them in the cross-hairs of goon, Aadi (Dhananjaya), whom they have to pay ₹5 crore.

Streaming platform: Lionsgate Play
Streaming date: May 30, 2025

Retro

Director Karthik Subbaraj’s film had leading man Suriya as a reformed gangster, leading a life of peace and quiet, until his past comes to haunt him. Pooja Hegde was Suriya’s love interest in the film, while the rest of the cast included the likes of Joju George, Jayaram, Nassar, Prakash Raj, Swasika, Vidhu and others. The Tamil original film will stream with Kannada audio option.

Streaming platform: Netflix
Streaming date: May 31, 2025