Darshan's The Devil Becomes One of Biggest Flops This Year

The Kannada film The Devil has ended its theatrical run as a major box office disappointment. Despite heavy expectations, the film failed to attract audiences and recorded very weak numbers in its opening days. Reports suggest that the worldwide gross for the first weekend remained below ₹30 crore by clearly indicating poor public response.

The film stars Darshan in the lead role. However movie’s release coincided with serious legal trouble for the actor, which also affected its performance. Darshan is currently in judicial custody and facing charges in the kidnapping and murder case of his own fan, Renukaswamy. The controversy surrounding the actor overshadowed the film and discouraged many viewers from visiting theatres.

The Devil is set against a political backdrop. The story focuses on a state chief minister who is jailed, leading to a sudden leadership crisis. His son, who has no interest in politics or public service, is forced to return and take charge of the election campaign. To manage the situation, party leaders bring in a lookalike from a small town to temporarily fill the role. As the substitute steps into power, he connects with the public but soon faces manipulation, betrayal, and political pressure.

Along with Darshan, the film features Mahesh Manjrekar, Achyuth Kumar, Rachana Rai, and Sharmiela Mandre in key roles. The music was composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, while Sudhakar S. Raj handled cinematography and Harish Komme took care of editing. The film was produced by Shri Jaimatha Combines in association with Saregama and Yoodlee Films, with J. Jayamma and Saregama as producers.

The failure of The Devil has added to the ongoing slump in the Kannada film industry this year. Except for films like Kantara, the industry has not seen strong box office performers.

Meanwhile, the Renukaswamy murder case has entered a critical phase. The trial has officially begun in a Bengaluru court, with the victim’s parents summoned as key witnesses. This development marks a crucial stage in the case and could further intensify legal challenges for Darshan and the other accused.