In 2025, we have seen the Kannada film industry, also known as Sandalwood, produce great films with fantastic stories, fine performances, and of great craft. Also, at this early date of 2025, Kannada cinema has put out several great movies that have received positive reviews from critics and the public.
Top 5 upcoming films of Kannada cinema in 2025:.
1. Agnyathavasi.
Release: In 2025, at the start of the year.
A moody rural crime drama, Agnyathavasi, which looks at a cold case murder in the mist-shrouded forested areas of Karnataka. The film, which is centered around Inspector Govindu, a principled cop who, as he uncovers local secrets, is also a play of his changing loyalties. At times, the cinematography, which is very atmospheric, does a great job with the rain-drenched landscapes and also the performances, which are very much into emotional restraint as opposed to over-the-top drama.
2. Adhipatra
Release: January 2025.
Adhipatra is a mix of supernatural folklore and modern police procedural. In a setting of coastal Karnataka, we see a no-nonsense officer out to solve cases of which the eeriness is tied to ancient rituals. The film is also noted for its cultural authenticity, which includes dance forms and presentation of oral traditions, as well as staying away fromtypical romantic fare.
3. Maadeva.
Release: In 2025.
Maadeva is a dark action drama that also weaves in a romance element. We follow the story of the eponymous character as he tries to come to terms with grief and justice as a professional executioner. When a sympathetic stranger comes into his life, old emotions and past traumas come to the fore. The film has a very serious tone, which is at times almost too much; the drama is heavy, and the dialogue is very raw, which sets it apart from other films.
4. Choo Mantar.
Release: 2023-2024.
This horror comedy is a mix of belly laughs and spine-tingling chills. In a quiet village that is home to mischievous spirits, Choo Mantar presents you with kooky characters, which we follow as they try to exorcise a ghost withtraditional and modern methods. A great ensemble cast brings to life a story which is a treat for the visual senses withgreat VFX, and also for the senses with the local rural flavor.
5. Sidingu 2.
Release: Late in 2025.
The awaited sequel to the classic Sidlingu, which takes place years after the first. Sidlingu has grown in age, more into himself, yet still very much the joke man we know, he is out there in the second chance of love and purpose. With its nostalgia and heavy dose of emotion, Sidlingu 2 does a great job, which is to say it is at once funny and very much a tearjerker.
Conclusion
2023 has seen an expansion of the palette for Kannada cinema, which is presenting to us new and mature works. In terms of genre, we see the grand scale of history in the making of Hoysala Veera, edge-of-your-seat thrillers in Nirvana Express, and relevant social issues in films like Chaitra Sandalwood, which is putting out high-quality content in this new cinema age. Out of these five films, we see the living, breathing examples of why Kannada cinema is still very much a part of the greater Indian cinema. For fans of the Kannada film industry or for those who are yet to dive into the world of vernacular cinema, put these on your watch list!
