| Landlord | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jadesh K Hampi |
| Written by | Jadesh K Hampi |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Swamy J. Gowda |
| Edited by | K. M. Prakash |
| Music by | B. Ajaneesh Loknath |
Production company | Sarathi Films |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Landlord is an upcoming 2026 Indian Kannada-language action-drama film written and directed by Jadesh K Hampi, [1] and produced by K. S. Suraj Gowda and K. V. Sathyaprakash under the Sarathi Films banner. [2]
The cast includes Vijaya Kumar in the lead role, alongside Rachita Ram, Raj B. Shetty, Rithanya Vijay, Shishir Baikady, Umashree, Bhavana Rao, Rakesh Adiga, and Achyuth Kumar in supporting roles. [3] Cinematography is by Swamy J. Gowda, editing by K. M. Prakash, and music composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath.
The official teaser, titled "Landlord Official Teaser", was released on 5 November 2025 via Anand Audio and the Times of India platforms, marking the film as a 2026 release. [4] The theatrical release is scheduled for 23 January 2026 across Karnataka. [5] The film's narrative is set in a rural backdrop of the 1980s, recreating period-specific visuals.
Set in a 1980s rural Kannada village under the oppressive rule of a powerful landlord, Duniya Vijay portrays a hardworking man who emerges as a voice for the voiceless. When a young constable (played by Rachita Ram) arrives and witnesses the injustices happening—including the shocking death of an innocent family—the community unites for a dramatic uprising.
After a 14-year hiatus, Sarathi Films returned to production with Landlord as their flagship project under director Jadesh Kumar Hampi and producers K. S. Suraj Gowda and K. V. Sathyaprakash. The film was conceptualized to be a socially relevant action‑drama, weaving themes of rural injustice and resistance into a period setting. It was officially launched with a muhurta ceremony in early January 2025, coinciding with lead actor Duniya Vijay's birthday. The project aimed to recreate the rural Karnataka setting of the 1980s. Principal photography began soon after the launch, with elaborate village sets constructed near Nelamangala under the supervision of art director Ravi Santhehaklu. [6] The makers adopted a multi-schedule approach, completing two major schedules by mid-January and progressing into the third phase shortly thereafter.
By late January 2025, approximately 75% of the filming was complete, covering key sequences across Nelamangala, Mangaluru, Tumakuru, and parts of Uttara Karnataka to capture authentic landscapes. The production wrapped up all shooting schedules by August 2025, after nearly eight months of work, and subsequently moved into post-production, including editing and music composition by B. Ajaneesh Loknath. The film's teaser was released in November 2025, confirming its theatrical release for January 2026.
Duniya Vijay was signed early as the lead, drawing on his rural roots to embody the protagonist. Rachita Ram joined as a young constable pivotal to the plot, while theatre veterans like Umashree and Achyuth Kumar were cast for authenticity. Raj B. Shetty came on board as the antagonist after discussions about the character's emotional depth and period look; he agreed to wear a wig to suit the director's vision. [7] Rithanya Vijay, daughter of Duniya Vijay, makes her debut as his on-screen child, and actors such as Bhavana Rao, Rakesh Adiga, and Shishir Baikady complete the ensemble.
The soundtrack and background score for Landlord are composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, with lyrics contributed by Yogaraj Bhat and others. The album blends folk influences and period-appropriate arrangements to reflect the film's 1980s rural setting. Music rights are held by Anand Audio.
The first single, “Ningavva Ningavva”, was released on 18 December 2025 across major streaming platforms and Anand Audio's official YouTube channel. [8] Sung by Vijay Prakash and Ananya Bhat, with lyrics by Yogaraj Bhat, the track features choreography by Bhushan and visuals showcasing lead actors Duniya Vijay and Rachita Ram. [9] Additional singles and the complete soundtrack are scheduled for release ahead of the film's theatrical debut on 23 January 2026.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ningavva Ningavva" | Yogaraj Bhat | Vijay Prakash, Ananya Bhat | 4:32 |
The teaser was unveiled on Kannada Rajyotsava (1 November 2025), officially announcing the 23 January 2026 release date. [10] Publicity emphasized Duniya Vijay's transformation into a rugged rural protagonist and the social-revolt narrative, aiming to build anticipation among audiences. The teaser also highlighted the involvement of Yogaraj Bhat, noted theatre actors, and B. Ajaneesh Loknath's music.