Will Duniya Vijay’s Landlord get court directive to curb reviews? Director Jadeshaa K Hampi explains

It was an attempt to curb intentional malicious campaigns, claimed the team of the Darshan starrer The Devil, when they got a court order to block reviews, harmful feedback on sites like BookMyShow and other online platforms. Fan groups of other actors were blamed for posting spoilers and negative ratings, which would impact business, they’d maintained to get the order.

Only weeks later, the teams of Arjun Janya’s 45 and Kiccha Sudeep’s Mark also followed suit, a move that netizens claimed was uncalled for, given that ticket aggregators allow only those with valid ticket purchases to rate and review movies.

Will audiences be able to rate Landlord on ticketing portals?

Landlord is the first star-led Kannada film of 2026. Will the Duniya Vijay-led film also follow this trend and curtail criticism? “There was a discussion to this effect within the team, but we have decided against seeking such an injunction. Every single person who purchases a ticket to watch the film has the right to critique it,” says director Jadeshaa K Hampi, in conversation with the media.

Also read: Raj B Shetty on Landlord: As antagonist, I got a character with a lot of emotional range 

The film releases on January 23, 2026 and has Raj B Shetty as the main antagonist, along with other actors like Rachita Ram, Umashree, Gopalkrishna Deshpande, Rithanya Vijay, Shishir Baikady, Rakesh Adiga, Achyuth Kumar, Bhaavanaa Raao, among others.

Landlord is set in the 80s, and has Raj as an oppressive landlord, whose word is the rule of the land, until a certain situation arises, which forces a villager, played by Vijay, to stand up and oppose him. How this conflict between the two men plays out and the fight for rights are at the core of Landlord.

After the trailer of the film came out, netizens pointed out that Landlord has a distinctive Kaatera feel to it, which is not surprising, given that Jadeshaa had co-written the Darshan starrer with Tharun Sudhir.

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.