# Agnyathavasi (2025 film)
**Agnyathavasi** (Kannada: ಅಜ್ಞಾತವಾಸಿ) is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language crime drama and mystery film directed by Janardhan Chikkanna, written by Krishna Raj, and produced by Hemanth M Rao, Prachura P P, and Jayalakshmi under the banner Dakshayini Talkies. Set in the late 1990s in the village of Nalkeri in Karnataka's Malenadu region, it follows a rural police inspector who declares the death of a local landlord a murder, the village's first crime in 25 years.[1](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682?partner=XstreamPlay&pid=XstreamPlay&usertoken=XstreamPlay) The film stars [Rangayana Raghu](https://www.edgepedia.org/rangayana-raghu), Paavana Gowda, Siddu Moolimani, Sharath Lohitashwa, and Ravishankar Gowda.[1](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682?partner=XstreamPlay&pid=XstreamPlay&usertoken=XstreamPlay)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | Theatrically on April 11, 2025 (India); ZEE5 premiere on May 28, 2025[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/May/17/agnyathavasi-gets-streaming-release-date) |
| Certification and length | CBFC certified UA 13+, 122.18 minutes, Bangalore regional office, certificate dated April 8, 2025[3](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwMjAyMDQyMDI1MDAwMTM%3D) |
| Director and writer | Janardhan Chikkanna (director), Krishna Raj (story and screenplay)[1](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682?partner=XstreamPlay&pid=XstreamPlay&usertoken=XstreamPlay) |
| Producer | Hemanth M Rao, whose Dakshayani Talkies made this its first project[4](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Mar/03/hemanth-m-rao-backed-agnyathavasi-gets-a-release-date-2) |
| Lead cast | Rangayana Raghu as the nameless inspector, with Sharath Lohitashwa, Paavana Gowda, Siddu Moolimani, and Ravishankar Gowda[5](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27470862/) |
| Setting | Nalkeri, a village in the Malenadu region, in 1997[3](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwMjAyMDQyMDI1MDAwMTM%3D) |
| Box office | India net about ₹5.9 million (₹0.59 crore); worldwide gross about ₹6.4 million (₹0.64 crore)[6](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Agnyathavasi_2025) |
| Audience rating | 6.7/10 on IMDb from 577 votes[5](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27470862/) |
## Spoilers
### Title and premise
The title combines two Kannada words: *agnyatha*, meaning an obscure or unknown entity, and *vasi*, meaning a dweller; one review translates the whole as "a person in exile."[7](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/agnyathavasi-movie-review-this-murky-mystery-is-compromised-by-a-heavy-hand) • [8](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/agnyathavasi-review-great-performances-good-direction-make-for-a-satisfying-thriller) The title refers both to the hidden side of the inspector, whose mental exile surfaces when a sudden death occurs, and to the film's buried secrets.[7](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/agnyathavasi-movie-review-this-murky-mystery-is-compromised-by-a-heavy-hand)
The story is set in 1997 in Nalkeri, a quiet Malenadu village whose lone police outpost has witnessed no crime since it opened 25 years earlier.[3](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwMjAyMDQyMDI1MDAwMTM%3D) The inspector, played by Rangayana Raghu and left nameless in the film, lives much like the farmers around him, working part-time as a policeman and part-time as an agriculturist.[3](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwMjAyMDQyMDI1MDAwMTM%3D) • [9](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682) When the well-to-do landlord Srinivasaiah (Sharath Lohitashwa) is found dead after a meal, the inspector declares the death a murder and sends the body for post-mortem, to the astonishment of a village unused to crime.[8](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/agnyathavasi-review-great-performances-good-direction-make-for-a-satisfying-thriller) • [9](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682)
The investigation brings in the landlord's estranged son Arun, who moved abroad, and Rohit (Siddu Moolimani), the villager who owns the area's first computer and acts as a new-age postman, sending and receiving emails on behalf of neighbors with relatives elsewhere.[10](https://www.ottplay.com/review/agnythavasi-movie-review-janardhan-chikkannas-murder-mystery-has-a-lot-of-positives-but-isnt-entirely-satisfying/756b191197320) Pankaja (Paavana Gowda), a young woman linked to the landlord's household and to Arun, also enters the case.[9](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682) A second death deepens the mystery, and the search leads the inspector back to a murder in the same town 25 years earlier, in the 1970s.[9](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682) • [11](https://reviewrowdies.boxofficeandhra.com/2025/04/review-agnyathavasi-different-and.html)
## Production
Hemanth M Rao, known for directing *Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu*, *[Kavaludaari](https://www.edgepedia.org/kavaludaari)*, and *Sapta Sagaradaache Ello*, took on his first full-fledged producing role with this film. He established Dakshayani Talkies in honor of his late mother, and Agnyathavasi was the company's first project.[4](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Mar/03/hemanth-m-rao-backed-agnyathavasi-gets-a-release-date-2) According to the makers, the story, penned by Krishna Raj, was inspired by a murder that took place in the Malenadu region in 1997.[4](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Mar/03/hemanth-m-rao-backed-agnyathavasi-gets-a-release-date-2) Director Janardhan Chikkanna, who made his debut with *Gultoo* (2018), said in an interview that his planned sequel to *Gultoo* organically became *Agnyathavasi*.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/May/17/agnyathavasi-gets-streaming-release-date)
The technical crew includes cinematographer Advaitha Gurumurthy, composer [Charan Raj](https://www.edgepedia.org/charan-raj), editor Bharath MC, and production designer Ullas Hydur.[4](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Mar/03/hemanth-m-rao-backed-agnyathavasi-gets-a-release-date-2) The film was shot in [Chikmagalur](https://www.edgepedia.org/chikmagalur) and Madikeri to capture the Malenadu landscape.[9](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682) It was screened in the Kannada Cinema Competition section of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes).[12](https://www.biffes.org/index.php/filmdetails/290)
## Release and reception
The film released in theaters on April 11, 2025, alongside several other releases that week.[1](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682?partner=XstreamPlay&pid=XstreamPlay&usertoken=XstreamPlay) • [13](https://www.ottplay.com/news/agnyathavasi-out-on-ott-case-of-a-mysterious-murder-in-a-sleepy-malnad-village-is-now-streaming/d694916133668) Its satellite and digital rights were sold before the theatrical release, which the trade press described as a rarity for [Kannada cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/kannada-cinema) at the time.[13](https://www.ottplay.com/news/agnyathavasi-out-on-ott-case-of-a-mysterious-murder-in-a-sleepy-malnad-village-is-now-streaming/d694916133668) It premiered on ZEE5 on May 28, 2025, in the original Kannada with English subtitles.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/May/17/agnyathavasi-gets-streaming-release-date) • [13](https://www.ottplay.com/news/agnyathavasi-out-on-ott-case-of-a-mysterious-murder-in-a-sleepy-malnad-village-is-now-streaming/d694916133668)
**Critical response.** Reviews were broadly positive about the film's atmosphere and performances while divided on its pacing and structure. [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) rated it 3.5 out of 5, calling it "an atmospheric investigative drama that revels in its complex simplicity" and praising Rangayana Raghu's lead performance.[14](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/agnyathavasi-movie-review-an-atmospheric-investigative-drama-that-revels-in-its-complex-simplicity-9939241/lite/) The News Minute highlighted the performances and direction, noting that the film "peels itself layer by layer" and that Charan Raj's background score mimics the unraveling of minds.[8](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/agnyathavasi-review-great-performances-good-direction-make-for-a-satisfying-thriller) Review Rowdies gave 3.5 out of 5, praising the production design's capture of the 1970s and late-1990s periods while finding the non-linear first half stretched in places.[11](https://reviewrowdies.boxofficeandhra.com/2025/04/review-agnyathavasi-different-and.html) OTTplay rated it 3 out of 5, writing that the film "has a lot of positives, but isn't entirely satisfying."[10](https://www.ottplay.com/review/agnythavasi-movie-review-janardhan-chikkannas-murder-mystery-has-a-lot-of-positives-but-isnt-entirely-satisfying/756b191197320) The Hollywood Reporter India judged the film technically sound but argued that its fragmented, loosely Rashomon-style narrative prefers flair over depth.[7](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/agnyathavasi-movie-review-this-murky-mystery-is-compromised-by-a-heavy-hand)
**Commercial performance.** Sacnilk reported India net collections of about ₹5.9 million (₹0.59 crore) and a worldwide gross of about ₹6.4 million (₹0.64 crore), with daily net collections peaking at ₹1.2 million (₹0.12 crore) on the second day.[6](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Agnyathavasi_2025) On IMDb the film holds a 6.7/10 rating from 577 votes.[5](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27470862/)
## Style
The film unfolds non-linearly, revisiting the same pivotal moments from different characters' perspectives, a structure one reviewer compared loosely to the Rashomon method.[7](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/agnyathavasi-movie-review-this-murky-mystery-is-compromised-by-a-heavy-hand) Cinematographer Advaitha Gurumurthy and colorist Prateek Mahesh used a highly saturated palette that reviewers described as nostalgic and dreamlike, evoking the Eastmancolor era.[7](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/agnyathavasi-movie-review-this-murky-mystery-is-compromised-by-a-heavy-hand) • [11](https://reviewrowdies.boxofficeandhra.com/2025/04/review-agnyathavasi-different-and.html) The Cinema Express review described the film as "not your typical whodunit," a procedural that unfolds "ritualistic[ally], circular[ly], and spiritual[ly]" rather than with ticking clocks and rapid cuts.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/May/17/agnyathavasi-gets-streaming-release-date)
## References
1. [Agnyathavasi, ZEE5 movie page](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682?partner=XstreamPlay&pid=XstreamPlay&usertoken=XstreamPlay)
2. [Agnyathavasi gets streaming release date, Cinema Express (17 May 2025)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/May/17/agnyathavasi-gets-streaming-release-date)
3. [CBFC film search result for Agnyathavasi](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwMjAyMDQyMDI1MDAwMTM%3D)
4. [Hemanth M Rao backed Agnyathavasi gets a release date, The New Indian Express (3 March 2025)](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Mar/03/hemanth-m-rao-backed-agnyathavasi-gets-a-release-date-2)
5. [Agnyathavasi (2025), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27470862/)
6. [Agnyathavasi (2025) Box Office Collection, Sacnilk](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Agnyathavasi_2025)
7. ['Agnyathavasi' Movie Review: This Murky Mystery Is Compromised by A Heavy Hand, The Hollywood Reporter India (25 April 2025)](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/agnyathavasi-movie-review-this-murky-mystery-is-compromised-by-a-heavy-hand)
8. [Agnyathavasi review: Great performances, good direction make for a satisfying thriller, The News Minute (11 April 2025)](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/agnyathavasi-review-great-performances-good-direction-make-for-a-satisfying-thriller)
9. [Agnyathavasi Movie (2025) details, ZEE5](https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/agnyathavasi/0-0-1z5754682)
10. [Agnyathavasi movie review, OTTplay (11 April 2025)](https://www.ottplay.com/review/agnythavasi-movie-review-janardhan-chikkannas-murder-mystery-has-a-lot-of-positives-but-isnt-entirely-satisfying/756b191197320)
11. [Review: Agnyathavasi - Different and Effective, Review Rowdies (15 April 2025)](https://reviewrowdies.boxofficeandhra.com/2025/04/review-agnyathavasi-different-and.html)
12. [BIFFes film details: Agnyathavasi](https://www.biffes.org/index.php/filmdetails/290)
13. [Agnyathavasi out on OTT, OTTplay](https://www.ottplay.com/news/agnyathavasi-out-on-ott-case-of-a-mysterious-murder-in-a-sleepy-malnad-village-is-now-streaming/d694916133668)
14. [Agnyathavasi Movie Review, The Indian Express (11 April 2025)](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/agnyathavasi-movie-review-an-atmospheric-investigative-drama-that-revels-in-its-complex-simplicity-9939241/lite/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Kannada films of the 2020s*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license