Devil is the most talked-about Kannada political action thriller of 2025, directed by Prakash Veer and headlined by superstar Darshan in a dual role. The film, written and produced by Veer and J. Jayamma under banners like Sri Jaimatha Combines and Vaishno Studios, finally premiered on December 11, 2025 after a long production journey that included a temporary halt due to the lead actor’s legal issues.
The runtime clocks in at 169 minutes, and the soundtrack by B. Ajaneesh Loknath helped build strong pre-release buzz ahead of its theatrical debut.
Opening Day & Box Office Performance
Despite the drama off-screen, Devil opened strong at the Indian box office. Industry trackers report that the film grossed around ₹10 crore on its opening day, placing it among the top Kannada releases of 2025.
Advance ticket sales also crossed impressive milestones, with one tracker reporting over ₹7 crore in pre-bookings before release.
Box office analysts suggest Devil needs to sustain strong momentum in its first week to be declared a commercial success, with expectations for its total haul to reach well past its estimated ₹20 crore production cost.
Audience & Critic Reaction: Mixed But Loud
What’s most remarkable about Devil’s release is the wide range of responses from critics and audiences alike:
Early Praise
Fans on social platforms have praised Darshan’s screen presence and action sequences, and many early reactions celebrated the film’s engaging soundtrack and stylish presentation.
CriticalTake
Critics, however, have been more critical, pointing to an outdated and cliched storyline and uneven execution. Many reviews labelled the narrative predictable and lacking freshness.
Mixed Social Buzz
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions range from admiration for the lead’s performance to disappointment about the film’s overall impact — with some netizens even describing Devil as an entertaining yet flawed outing.
This polarized reaction ensures that devil-themed search traffic remains high, as fans and critics alike continue debating the film’s strengths and weaknesses.
Plot Snapshot (Non-Spoiler)
Devil is built around politics, power struggles, and dual identities. Darshan plays two contrasting characters — one a self-serving heir and the other an honest everyman pulled into the political arena.
At its core, the story explores:
Leadership vs. legacy
Public service vs. personal ambition
Identity, deception, and redemption
The film also weaves in layers of romance, drama, and mass-appeal action — a formula that resonates strongly with regional audiences.
Why Devil Is Trending Now
Several factors contribute to this film’s current buzz:
Large opening weekend performance
Darshan’s star power and dual role portrayal
Social media discussions about its narrative quality
Controversy surrounding the actor during release
All of these elements make Devil (2025) a top search topic under “devil movie”, “Devil Kannada film”, and “Darshan Devil review”.
Conclusion
Devil (2025) stands as one of the most talked-about Kannada films of the year—not just for its turbulent production journey but for Darshan’s compelling dual performance that anchors the entire narrative. While critics remain divided over its writing, pacing, and treatment of themes, audiences continue to celebrate the film for its mass appeal, high-energy soundtrack, and star power. The strong box-office opening proves that Devil has tapped into a dedicated fan base and a broader curiosity surrounding its political drama and off-screen controversies.