The teaser launch of the upcoming pan-Indian action film KD – The Devil turned into a platform for candid opinions, as lead actor Dhruva Sarja and veteran Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt addressed both cinematic and cultural issues during their interaction with the media.Responding to a question about the Kannada film industry’s silence over the ban on Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life in Karnataka, Dhruva Sarja defended the sentiment of the people in his state. “Like the people of Tamil Nadu, we (Kannadigas) also love our mother tongue. When it comes to our mother tongue, people will definitely react,” he said. Sarja clarified that most Tamil films, except Thug Life, have released in Karnataka and received support. He added that the backlash against Kamal Haasan stemmed from comments that hurt the self-respect of Kannadigas.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt, who plays a key role in KD, grabbed attention with his humorous take on his limited screen time in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Leo (2023), where he portrayed Antony Das, the father of Vijay’s character. “I am angry at Lokesh because he did not give me a big role. He wasted me,” the actor joked, drawing laughter. He also expressed deep admiration for Indian cinema icons: “I respect Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, they are my seniors. I look up to them and learn from them. I’ve worked with Rajinikanth in multiple movies. He’s the most humble person. I also loved working with Thalapathy Vijay.”
Directed by Prem, KD – The Devil is set for a July 10, 2026 theatrical release. The high-octane film features an ensemble cast including Reeshma Nanaiah, Shilpa Shetty, Ramesh Aravind, Nora Fatehi, and Sanjay Dutt in pivotal roles.
With strong star power, bold statements, and intense visuals, KD – The Devil is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.