Raakshasa on OTT: Tharun Sudhir on why he felt the show should be set in north Karnataka
Raakshasa on OTT: The 7-episode Kannada series Raakshasa, starring Vijay Raghavendra in the lead, will begin streaming on Zee5 (via OTTplay Premium too) on February 20
Last Updated: 05.54 PM, Feb 19, 2026
The Kannada series Raakshasa is the fourth original show commissioned by Zee5, after Ayyana Mane, Shodha and Maarigallu. Tharun Sudhir, better known in Kannada film circles as the maker of hits like Chowka , Roberrt and Kaatera , restricted himself to production duties, while Suhan Prasad handled direction. Tharun, who was intrigued by the thriller theme, a genre he prefers as an audience too, had only one major ask before taking the show on floors.
Why was a north Karnataka setting important for Raakshasa?
When Suhan told him the basic plot of Raakshasa , which drips on Zee5 on February 20 (via OTTplay Premium also), it had a different setting, which Tharun felt would be better suited against a North Karnataka backdrop, where crocodile attacks are common place. This, he said, would give them a lot more elements to play with. “The premise was intriguing enough for a binge-watch of 6-7 episodes and would work for Kannada audiences, especially after blending the north Karnataka setting. The story apart, the dialect and the setting would be new for audiences,” said Tharun, adding that the changes they made were for the betterment of the story.
Raakshasa is Tharun’s second production venture since Kaatera; he had backed the thriller Elumale earlier. When is he returning to the director’s chair? “I had a script ready for a project with Darshan sir, which is currently on hold, so I am working on another story. There is a certain level of expectation that audiences have with my directorials, so I have to ensure that I live up to that. I am still writing, once it is complete, I will have a better picture about the next step,” he told Boss TV.
The script for Darshan was for a film on freedom fighter Sindhura Lakshmana. While he is keen to have Darshan in the role, he is ready to pass it on to another hero if the Challenging Star so wishes. “Ultimately, the film has to get made; that’s what matters,” he adds.
Raakshasa FAQs
Q. When and where to stream Raakshasa?
A. The new Kannada web series Raakshasa will begin streaming on Zee5 from February 20, 2026. It will be available on OTTplay Premium also.
Q. Who is on the cast and crew of Raakshasa?
A. As per the announcement teaser, filmmaker Tharun Sudhir has produced Raakshasa. Although the cast has not been revealed, Vijay Raghavendra is said to be headlining the show.