The Devil (2025) marks the much‑anticipated return of Kannada cinema superstar Darshan Thoogudeepa in a high‑profile political action drama directed by Prakash Veer. Released nationwide in Karnataka on December 11, 2025, the movie has sparked major conversations — not just for its narrative and performances — but also because Darshan remains embroiled in an ongoing legal case, which delayed traditional publicity and added a unique context to its release.

Unlike standard review cycles, The Devil initially had online ratings and reviews disabled due to a special court order — meaning early judgments are largely based on critic sites and social media impressions.

Background & Context

Before we begin the review, it’s important to understand the environment into which The Devil entered theatres.

The Release Blitz

Earlier in December 2025, the trailer for The Devil teased an intense, stylish Darshan in a compelling dual role that blended action with dark intrigue — hinting at a political rollercoaster.

While the trailer built anticipation, the film’s release became a media spectacle because Darshan was reportedly in judicial custody for an unrelated case around the time of the release. Despite this, fans showed overwhelming support, turning up in large numbers for first–day first–show screenings and sharing emotional reactions online and at theatres.

Ratings Disabled

Notably, for The Devil, ratings and reviews were initially disabled on major platforms by court order, meaning official numeric scores weren’t appearing immediately, making early public sentiment reliant on social media chatter and critic write‑ups.

Release Date

📍 Released: December 11, 2025 — The Devil hit theatres across Karnataka, with early morning shows and strong bookings despite the controversies.

📍 Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 49 minutes.

📍 Certification: U/A Certificate, allowing parental guidance for younger viewers.

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

The Devil is a high‑stakes political action thriller that places Darshan in a dual role:

• Krishna — a humble, aspiring actor and mess owner, earnest and grounded
• Dhanush — the volatile, reckless son of a chief minister with a penchant for chaos

The storyline centres on a convoluted political scenario where Krishna is recruited to impersonate Dhanush for strategic gains as part of a larger power play. This switch ignites tension, mistaken identity, betrayal, and emotional conflict as the real Dhanush returns, clashing with Krishna’s genuine simplicity and unforeseen heroism.

Essential Themes Explored:

• Identity & power
• Fan psychology & celebrity culture
• Love, autonomy, and societal expectations
• Corruption & political manipulation

Despite this ambitious premise, critics argue the execution tends toward old‑school storytelling techniques and fails to elevate the narrative beyond predictable beats.

Performances: Who Stands Out

Darshan Thoogudeepa

Darshan’s performance is the core anchor of the film. His dual portrayal of Krishna and Dhanush demonstrates range — the innocuous dreamer vs. the sinister heir — yet reactions to his execution vary widely:

Positives:

• Strong screen presence, especially in mass‑appeal sequences
• Charismatic in larger‑than‑life blocks
• Energetically carries the film through gravity shifts

Criticisms:

• Some reviewers felt the antagonist role leaned too heavily on stereotypes
• The performance occasionally slips into caricature rather than emotional realism.

Supporting Cast

• Rachana Rai delivers a solid screen presence but is arguably underwritten.
• Achyuth Kumar often shines in his grounded scenes, giving emotional weight to supporting arcs.
• Sharmiela Mandre and others provide flavour but are often sidelined.

Technical Standouts & Production Values

Direction & Screenplay

Directed by Prakash Veer, The Devil attempts to blend political intrigue with slick action. The craftsmanship often veers toward spectacle over substance:

• Editing is uneven, with reports of rushed transitions.
• Action sequences vary in quality — some thrilling, others formulaic.
• Scene placement can feel disjointed, affecting pacing.

Music & Score

Composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, the soundtrack generated mixed reviews:

• Certain songs are catchy and well‑produced
• Background score can feel overly intrusive, especially during key moments.

Cinematography & Visuals

The film showcases ambitious locations and glam setups, adding visual heft. However, critics noted occasional technical missteps and inconsistent CGI that slightly impair immersion.

Critics’ Verdict: What Reviewers Are Saying

Critical reception has been heavily divided, with several major media outlets publishing verdicts far from unanimous:

Mixed to Negative Trends

• Some critics describe the movie as outdated or disappointing, with a weak, predictable plot.
• Others pointed out structural flaws and narrative pacing issues impacting the overall experience.
• A segment of reviewerslabelledd it a missed opportunity that relied too heavily on star power rather than story.

Selected HighlightThe s

• Times of India rated the film moderately, noting Darshan’s dual role as the salvaging force in a “patchy but massy entertainer.”
• Comparatively, The Indian Express criticised the film as archaic and problematic, emphasising its failure to meet its own hype.
• Republic World and other outlets relayed strong online opinion calling the film a “masterpiece of disaster” from netizens.

Final Score: A Balanced Conclusion

Aspect	Rating
Story & Script	⭐⭐☆☆☆
Performance	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Direction	⭐⭐☆☆☆
Music & Score	⭐⭐☆☆☆
Technical Work	⭐⭐☆☆☆
Audience Impact	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Overall	⭐2.5/5

Note: This aggregated score blends critic verdicts and audience impressions.

Verdict: The Devil thrives on Darshan’s screen charisma and mass‑appeal sequences, but ultimately falls short due to inconsistent writing, pacing issues, and a narrative that fails to rise above familiar beats. It’s a mixed bag — a one‑time watch for fans, but a tough sell for broader audiences.

Conclusion

The Devil is a cinematic paradox — a film that thrives on Darshan Thoogudeepa’s commanding presence and high‑energy action sequences, yet struggles under the weight of a predictable plot and uneven storytelling. Fans of Darshan will find moments of thrill and spectacle to celebrate, while critics and general audiences may feel let down by the film’s outdated narrative style and pacing issues.

Ultimately, The Devil stands as a polarising release in Kannada cinema: a testament to star power and audience loyalty, but also a reminder that charisma alone cannot carry a film. If you’re drawn to political action dramas, larger-than-life performances, and mass entertainer sequences, it’s worth a watch — but don’t expect a groundbreaking cinematic experience.