Most-awaited Kannada theatrical releases in December 2025: From The Devil to 45 and Mark
December 2025 is a big and important month for Kannada cinema, given that the industry has not had much to cheer about, other than Su From So and Kantara Chapter 1
Last Updated: 12.20 PM, Nov 27, 2025
The year 2025 has been abysmal for Kannada cinema, to say the least, with only 2 films out of over 200 releases managing to make some dent at the box office. While the comedy Su from So was a surprise hit, amassing over Rs 100 cr, Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited Kantara prequel was expected to do wonders. In Karnataka, the film grossed well over Rs 200 cr, in its cumulative Rs 840+ cr theatrical run, which made it the highest grossing movie of the year.
There were a few films like Choo Mantar, Yuddhakaanda, Ekka , Brat, which drew audiences to theatres, but just not enough. It is, therefore, imperative that Sandalwood closes out the year with a bang and, hopefully, doing that for the industry are not one or two, but three star-led films.
Here’s a look at the major Kannada original films in theatres in December 2025
The Devil
Darshan Thoogudeepa’s The Devil is the first one to hit theatres. The film is Darshan’s second collaboration with director Prakash Veer, who’d last made Tarak with the actor. Prakash has managed to shroud the film in secrecy, with the trailer expected to shed some light. This will be available only around December 1 or 2, the team had said. So far, what cast and crew members have said is that Prakash has written a story that presents Darshan in a never-before-seen avatar. The film is, interestingly, releasing in Darshan’s absence, as the actor is currently in jail in the Renukaswamy murder case, the trial of which is ongoing. The Supreme Court had cancelled Darshan’s bail, but only after he’d completed all formalities related to the release of The Devil.
The Devil will release in theatres across Karnataka in Kannada only on December 11, 2025
45
Composer Arjun Janya’s directorial debut, 45, was meant to be in theatres in August this year, but delays in the completion of the film’s extensive VFX work meant that they had to reschedule to a later favourable date. When they eventually announced the new date, Christmas 2025, the first thing that came to everyone’s mind is the impending clash at the box office. Kiccha Sudeep had booked the date for his next, even before he went on floors with the film. Arjun and team did not think that Sudeep and co would do the unthinkable and finish their shoot within the stipulated time to facilitate a Christmas release, but they did.
Arjun’s film has Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty in the lead and is said to be based on the Sanatana Dharma tenet about the 45 days after a person’s death and what becomes of his/her soul.
45 will release in theatres across India in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi on December 25, 2025
Mark
Kiccha Sudeep’s promise to fans is that he will work on at least 2 films at a time, to ensure that he has a release every year. In keeping with that, he’d kicked off two movies this year, a new collaboration with Max maker Vijay Kartikeyaa, and the long-awaited Anup Bhandari directorial, Billa Ranga Baashaa. Vijay’s being the easier one to complete – Billa Ranga Baashaa is an ambitious project set in the future - after a point, Sudeep turned his focus completely to it. Started in July, shooting was completed in early November. Right from the start, Sudeep had maintained that he was targeting a Christmas release, which he knew would not be easy to get to. Considering that Max worked well for him as the 2024 Christmas release, Sudeep’s banking on his new one, Mark, to continue that streak.
Mark, according to Vijay, is an action-packed mass entertainer, with sources indicating that it is in the Max territory, with Sudeep likely playing a cop yet again. There will be more clarity once the teaser/trailer is revealed.
Mark was announced as a pan-India release in multiple languages. The film will hit theatres on December 25, 2025.
Kannada-dubbed releases in December
Akhanda 2 Thaandavam
Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Akhanda sequel, directed by Boyapati Sreenu, is one of the biggies in theatres in the first week of December. The Telugu original version, of course, will get more screens in Karnataka, but the film will have a Kannada-dubbed version too.
Akhanda 2 Thaandavam releases on December 5, 2025.
Avatar: Fire And Ash
The third instalment in director James Cameron’s Avatar universe – Fire and Ash – is, reportedly, releasing with versions in the four south languages too. How wide a release the Kannada version gets remains to be seen, but that is the promise.
Avatar: Fire and Ash, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldanha in the lead, releases on December 19, 2025
Vrusshabha
Kannada filmmaker Nanda Kishore’s first pan-Indian film, Vrusshabha, stars Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the lead. A tale of revenge and reincarnation, Vrusshabha is about die-hard enemies being reborn as father and son. Will they still seek revenge or will love trump all? Mohanlal is joined by a predominantly Kannada cast, including Samarjit Lankesh, Ragini Dwivedi and Garuda Ram, among others. Slated for an early November release, the film was subsequently postponed.
Vrusshabha will release in theatres on December 25, 2025.
FAQs
Q. Who is directing Mark?
A. Mark, which began as Kiccha47, is directed by Vijay Kartikeyaa as his sophomore project after last year's Max with Kiccha Sudeep. The film will be in theatres for Christmas 2025.
Q. Is Billa Ranga Baashaa shelved?
A. No. Billa Ranga Baashaa is not shelved. It is on schedule break. Sudeep will resume shooting for it once he completes Kiccha47. Billa Ranga Baashaa will likely be his Christmas 2026 release.
Q. What was Darshan Thoogudeepa's last release?
A. Darshan Thoogudeepa was last seen onscreen in 2023's Kaatera, which is available on Z5 (via OTTplay Premium also).