Bengaluru is feeling the chills as temperatures dip every day, but this December is set to be hot for Sandalwood. Darshan’s Devil will hit the screens on December 11, and will be followed by the Christmas clash between Sudeep’s Mark and 45, starring Upendra, Shivarajkumar and Raj B Shetty.
Theatres are being decked up with banners and cutouts of Darshan, whose fans are set to storm the early morning shows on the day of the movie’s release. Despite building the festive atmosphere, ardent Darshan followers awaiting Devil feel a sense of incompleteness, as their star is imprisoned for the alleged murder of Chitradurga resident, Renukaswamy.
No stranger to controversies, Darshan will miss the festivities surrounding the release of his film for the second time. In 2011, Sarathi made it to theatres when the superstar was in jail for a case of domestic abuse filed by his wife, Vijayalakshmi. Darshan’s arrest didn’t dent the collection of Sarathi, as it broke records en route to its 100-day run in theatres. Will history repeat itself?
According to industry insiders and trade experts, that does seem to be the case.
“Law will take its course, but cinema will stay unaffected by events from an actor’s personal life,” says KV Chandrashekar of the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association. “Fans won’t pay much heed to the controversy; they will still come to watch him. Darshan is their favourite hero on the big screen, and that is all that matters to them.”
Darshan’s fans have remained the major force for all his movies. “His arrest, last year, shocked us. However, we have tried to stay positive and strong. Nothing has deterred us so far and we hope for the best,” says an ardent Darshan fan, who goes by the name Apathbandhava on X (formerly Twitter). “Director Prakash, known for making family dramas, is attempting an action thriller and I am excited about it,” he adds.
A cybersecurity engineer, he remembers watching Sarathi as an 11-year-old, clapping and whistling at a packed Prasanna, Darshan’s fortress in Bengaluru. “Public memory is short. His fans will ensure a grand opening, and if the film has quality content, there is no stopping Devil,” feels Anand, the owner of Prasanna, one of the oldest single screens of the city.
Darshan and Rachana Rai in ‘Devil’.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Industry insiders say a sympathy wave from a section of people could benefit Devil. That said, while youngsters — who form the majority of Darshan’s fanbase — will turn out in large numbers, women and children might hesitate to watch his works, says a theatre owner in condition of anonymity. “His image has taken a big beating with the serious allegations of criminal activity. Senior citizens and women might think twice before watching his movie.”
ALSO READ: Actor Darshan, out on bail in murder case, breaks silence
Darshan’s case has put the spotlight on the age-old debate. Should an artiste’s personal life be separated from their professional work? “I have never been interested in the personal lives of celebrities,” says Ranjith Chandrashekar, who loves the “mass appeal” of Darshan. “His films are packaged well, with a good mix of comedy, action and energetic dance. He is a good entertainer,” adds the software engineer.
A film buff and advocate, Akash Patil says there are plenty who love to watch movies for what they are, without getting distracted by controversies or fan wars.
“I won’t say my opinion on Darshan remains the same after the incident. However, as an actor, he is someone I genuinely enjoy watching on the big screen. At the end of the day, irrespective of off-screen developments, cinema should unite stars and fans,” he says.
Devil, an action drama,is directed by Prakash Veer, who has collaborated with Darshan after Tarak (2017). During a press conference about the movie, Prakash warded off tricky questions about Darshan’s absence with a mix of straightforwardness and diplomacy.
The makers haven’t revealed the challenges of bringing out the film without their lead actor’s involvement. “You will know on 11th,” was the director’s standard response to most of the queries from reporters. If industry buzz is to be believed, Prakash and team will be all smiles next Thursday.
Published – December 05, 2025 11:00 am IST
