

KD – The Devil is a 2026 Indian Kannada-language period action thriller written and directed by Prem and produced by Venkat K. Narayana under the banner of KVN Productions. The film stars Dhruva Sarja in the title role alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, V. Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, Jisshu Sengupta, and Nora Fatehi. Set in the underworld of 1970s Bengaluru, the film follows the rise of an ordinary man who becomes one of the most feared names in the criminal world.
The story is set in Bengaluru during the early 1970s and follows Kaalidasa, also known as Kaali or KD, a small-time criminal with modest ambitions. A series of unexpected events brings him into contact with powerful gangsters and the city’s underworld.
As rival gangs, corrupt forces, and personal betrayals close in around him, Kaali is drawn deeper into a violent world where loyalty and survival go hand in hand. What begins as an accidental involvement gradually transforms him into a feared figure in the criminal hierarchy. The film explores his journey from an underdog to a notorious gangster while highlighting themes of family, revenge, and the price of power.
KD – The Devil is written and directed by Prem, with Venkat K. Narayana producing the film under KVN Productions. William David handled the cinematography, Sanketh Achar served as editor, and Arjun Janya composed the music. Principal photography began in 2022 and continued across multiple schedules before the film’s release in 2026.
The movie was mounted as a large-scale period gangster drama and recreated the atmosphere of 1970s Bengaluru with elaborate sets, vintage costumes, and stylized action sequences. The film also attracted attention before release because of controversies surrounding one of its songs, which was later revised by the makers.
KD – The Devil was released in theatres on April 30, 2026 in Kannada and several dubbed languages. Since the release date has already passed, the film is no longer an upcoming title. Following its theatrical run, the makers confirmed that the film is heading to OTT, although the exact streaming premiere date is yet to be announced.