Raakshasa on OTT: Vijay Raghavendra’s crime thriller series a remake of THIS show?
Raakshasa on OTT: Directed by Suhan Prasad and produced by Tharun Sudhir, the 7-episode Kannada series Raakshasa is set to drop on February 20, 2026
Last Updated: 03.47 PM, Feb 10, 2026
Zee5 is set to release its fourth Kannada original web series on February 20, 2026 (available via OTTplay Premium too). This time, it is a crime thriller called Raakshasa, directed by Suhan Prasad and produced by Tharun Sudhir, starring Vijay Raghavendra in the lead, along with Appanna, Jahangeer, Mayuri Kyatari, among others. Details about the show are yet to be revealed, with a trailer expected shortly, but the buzz is that the makers have repurposed a popular Tamil series for Kannada audiences.
Which Tamil series has been remade in Kannada as Raakshasa?
A source tells OTTplay that Raakshasa is the Kannada remake of the 2022 Tamil series Vilangu, which has already found versions in Bengali and Hindi, with the latter, Janaawar – The Beast Within, starring Bhuvan Arora in the lead, was the most recent. Vilangu, which was written and directed by Prashanth Pandiyaraj, starred Vemal, Ineya, Bala Saravanan, among others, and had received largely positive reviews. The show was one of Zee5’s most watched Tamil original series of 2022.
In Kannada, it seems that Zee5 is adopting a mixed content strategy, including original shows and tried and tested ones. Ayyana Mane and Maarigallu were original, while Shodha was based on the streamer’s Khoj – Parchaiyo Ke Uss Paar. While Shodha had been reimagined in a Madikeri setting, Raakshasa is set in North Karnataka.
The original, Vilangu, followed a small-town police inspector’s investigation into a jewellery theft and a string of murders, starting with a decomposed body that’s missing the head. Amid pressure from superior officers to wrap it up quickly, the inspector stumbles upon more bodies. Like the original, the Kannada version will also comprise 7 episodes, each roughly 25 minutes in duration.
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.