Korean Kanakaraju

Korean Kanakaraju
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMerlapaka Gandhi
Written byMerlapaka Gandhi
Produced by
  • Sai Babu Jagarlamudi
  • Y. Rajeev Reddy
Starring
CinematographyManojh Reddy Katasani
Edited bySatyaa G
Music byThaman S
Production
companies
Release date
  • 7 August 2026 (2026-08-07)
Running time
150 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Box office₹40 crore[1]

Korean Kanakaraju is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language action horror comedy film written and directed by Merlapaka Gandhi. It was produced by Sai Babu Jagarlamudi and Y. Rajeev Reddy under First Frame Entertainments and UV Creations. The film stars Varun Tej in the titular role, alongside Ritika Nayak and Satya.[2]

The film is scheduled to release theatrically worldwide on 7 August 2026.[3]

Plot

Kanakaraju is a short-tempered village youth from Penugonda in the Rayalaseema region who lives an ordinary life. His reality changes when a mysterious dragon-shaped vase possesses him. Following the supernatural encounter, his eyes turn blue, he gains extraordinary powers, and he is inexplicably transported to South Korea whenever the country is mentioned. This forces him into a violent confrontation with the Korean mafia and law enforcement.[4][5]

Cast

Production

Development

The project was announced as #VT15, marking Varun Tej's 15th feature film.[4][6] Merlapaka Gandhi[7] was brought on board to write and direct the cross-cultural horror comedy, which is bankrolled by UV Creations and First Frame Entertainments on a lavish budget to accommodate the dual-country setup.[5]

Filming

Principal photography took place across locations in India and South Korea. In March 2026, the production team completed a crucial one-week schedule in South Korea, filming key sequences and musical numbers featuring Tej, Nayak, and Satya in vibrant Korean locations.[5] Cinematography was handled by Manojh Reddy Katasani, while Satyaa G was assigned editing duties.[5][8]

Music

The film's soundtrack album and background score are composed by Thaman S. The first single from the album, titled "Kamsahamnida", was sung by Sid Sriram.[9][10] The makers released a behind-the-scenes making video of the track on 11 April 2026.[5][3][11]

Release

A title glimpse video was released on Varun Tej's birthday.[5][12] A subsequent teaser was officially launched by actor Prabhas in July 2026.[4][13]

Korean Kanakaraju was released in theaters worldwide on 7 August 2026.[4][3]

Distribution

Sri Venkateswara Creations is responsible for the distribution of this film in the Nizam and Vizag areas.[14]

References

  1. ↑ M, Raghu (21 August 2026). "కొరియన్ కనకరాజు 2 వీక్స్ టోటల్ కలెక్షన్స్…బ్లాక్ బస్టర్ రచ్చ!!". T2BLive.com (in Telugu). Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Varun Tej's next film titled 'Korean Kanakaraju', makers announce on actor's 35th birthday".
  3. 1 2 3 "'Korean Kanakaraju' release date: Makers announce when is the Varun Tej starrer horror comedy hitting the big screens". The Times of India. 12 July 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Korean Kanakaraju teaser: Possessed Varun Tej takes on Korean mafia". India Today. 13 July 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Varun Tej, Ritika Naik-starrer 'Korean Kanakaraju' to hit screens on August 7". AP7AM. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Varun Tej's next titled 'Korean Kanakaraju'". News Arena India. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Varun Tej's Indo-Korean Film Titled Korean Kanakaraju". NDTV. Archived from the original on 20 January 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "'Korean Kanakaraju': Varun Tej and team head Korea to shoot the last leg of the horror comedy - Report". The Times of India. 15 March 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Korean Kanakaraju | Song - Kamsahamnida (Lyrical)". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "'Kamsahamnida' song from Korean Kanakaraju hits screens". 'Kamsahamnida' song from Korean Kanakaraju hits screens. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Varun Tej starrer 'Korean Kanakaraju' makers drops fun BTS of 'Kamsahamnida' - Watch". The Times of India. 24 April 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Varun Tej's Indo-Korean film titled 'Korean Kanakaraju'; title glimpse out". The Hindu. 19 January 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "'Korean Kanakaraju' teaser out: Prabhas launches Varun Tej's horror-comedy; actor is seen in a superpowered avatar". The Times of India. 13 July 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  14. ↑ First Frame Entertainments [@FirstFrame_Ent] (27 July 2026). "Brace yourself for the wildest Indo-Korean horror comedy ride of the year 🐉😈" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 August 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
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