| Gharga | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | M. Shashidhar |
| Written by | M. Shashidhar |
| Produced by | Asshwini Ramprasaad |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Guru Prasad Narnad |
| Edited by | M. Shashidhar |
| Music by | Score
|
Production company | ARC Musicq Pvt Ltd |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Gharga is a 2026 Indian Kannada-language mystery thriller film written and directed by M. Shashidhar and, produced by Ashwini Ramprasad.1 The film features Arun Ramprasad, P. Sai Kumar and Sampath Raj in important roles.2
The film was released theatrically on 6 February 2026.
Plot
The film follows a novelist and researcher who travels to a mysterious village named Gharga while investigating unexplained incidents connected to a missing writer. As he delves deeper into the secrets of the region, he encounters hidden identities, folklore-driven beliefs and criminal conspiracies.
Cast
- Arun Ramprasad as Vikram Adiga aka Aryan
- P. Sai Kumar as Gajanana Aithala
- Sampath Raj
- Rahul Dev
- Dev Gill
- Sravan Raghavendra
- Arun Sagar as Pundarika
- Mithra
- Raagavi Gowda
Music
The soundtrack is composed by Gurukiran, R. P. Patnaik, Shri Hari and C. Girinadh. The background score is composed by Sukumar and Shri Hari
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Vennela Thunaka" | V. Nagendra Prasad | Shri Hari | Nadeera Banu | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Bangi Sediro" | V. Nagendra Prasad | Gurukiran | Vijay Prakash, Gurukiran | 4:29 |
| 3. | "Neenu Nanage" | A. P. Arjun | R. P. Patnaik | Yazin Nizar | 3:53 |
| 4. | "Call Of Rudra" | C. Girinandh | Deepak | 2:22 |
Release and reception
Gharga was released in theatres on 6 February 2026 across Karnataka.3
A Sharadhaa of Cinema Express rated it 3 out of 5 and was positive towards the screenplay.4 Y Maheshwara Reddy of Bangalore Mirror rated it 2.5 out of 5 and stated that, "it is filled with actors, but the roles are so shallow that it is not clear why they appear and disappear from the screen".5 Susmita Sameera of The Times of India stated it as "an ambitious mystery lost in its own shadows" and gave a rating of 2 out of 5.6 Deccan Herald rated it 1.5 out of 5 and described it as an ambitious mystery drama that struggles with narrative coherence.7
References
References
- Sharadhaa, A. (5 February 2026). "Gharga producer Asshwini Ramprasad: Cinema is always a gamble". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- "Ashwini Ramprasad's son Arun to debut in a horror thriller". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- "Gharga trailer unveiled; Arun Ramprasad's debut locks release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- Sharadhaa, A. (6 February 2026). "Gharga Movie Review: Crime and myth effectively come together in this compelling film". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- Reddy, Y Maheswara (7 February 2026). "Kannada Movie Review–Seat Edge: Part funny, part frightening". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- Sameera, Susmita (7 February 2026). "Gharga Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- "Gharga movie review: Ambitious mystery drama lost in chaos". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 11 February 2026.