Dhanush starrer “Kara” – First Look Released: An Emotional Thriller Set in the 1990s

January 16, 2026 Published by Natarajan Karuppiah

The first look of “Kara”, starring National Award–winning actor Dhanush, has been officially released and is receiving an overwhelming response from fans and cinema enthusiasts alike.

The film is being produced on a grand scale by Vels Film International Limited, with Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh as producer and his daughter Kushmitha Ganesh serving as co-producer.

Set in the 1990s, Kara revolves around incidents in the life of a young man named Karasamy. The film is crafted as an emotional thriller with a gripping narrative infused with mystery and suspense.

The movie is directed by Vignesh Raja, who earlier delivered the blockbuster “Por Thozhil”. He has co-written the screenplay along with Alfred Prakash, continuing their successful collaboration in this project as well.

The aesthetically striking and innovative first look effectively captures the film’s scale, mood, and narrative depth, promising an intense and immersive cinematic experience.

In Kara, Dhanush plays the lead role, with Mamitha Baiju pairing opposite him for the first time. The film also features a stellar ensemble cast including K.S. Ravikumar, Jayaram, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Karunas, Prithvirajan, and several other talented actors.

To authentically recreate the 1990s era, extensive efforts were taken to build period-accurate sets, and the scenes were filmed with great attention to detail. Shooting took place for over 80 days across Chennai, Ramanathapuram, and Kovilpatti.

The film’s music is composed by National Award–winning composer G.V. Prakash Kumar, while cinematography is handled by the acclaimed Theni Eswar, known for his distinctive visual style. Editing is done by Sreejith Sarang, recognized for his innovative storytelling techniques. Mayapandi is the production designer, and costumes are designed by Dinesh Manohar & Kavya Sriram.

Producer Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh shared his thoughts, saying:

“Kara is shaping up to be a unique cinematic experience. After watching the initial cut, I am fully confident about the film’s emotional impact and technical excellence. The performances of all the actors add significant depth to the story. This film has the strength to stay in the hearts of audiences for a long time.”

On the production front, Vels Film International Limited is building a strong lineup for 2026. This includes “Mookuthi Amman 2” (starring Nayanthara), which is currently in post-production, and “Dyngaram” (starring VJ Siddhu) and “UNKILL_123” (starring Anurag Kashyap), both of which are under production.

Additionally, Vels Music International Limited has acquired all the music rights of Kara, further strengthening the film’s commercial value and promotional reach.

Currently in its final stages of production, official announcements regarding the teaser, trailer, and audio launch of Kara will be made soon. The film is slated for a theatrical release in summer 2026. Meanwhile, Netflix has acquired the OTT streaming rights for the film.