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4 clusters · 9 sources · 23 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: CULTURE

Varun Tej's Korean Kanakaraju release

Entities: Merlapaka Gandhi · Varun Tej · Thaman S · Korean Kanakaraju · S. Thaman

Overview

A July teaser, unveiled by Prabhas, introduced *Korean Kanakaraju* as a horror‑comedy that fuses Indian and Korean motifs. Varun Tej appears as a Rayalaseema villager who becomes possessed by a dragon‑shaped vase, gaining supernatural powers and alternating between a local youth and a Korean‑mafia figure. The clip highlighted a Sid Sriram‑sung song “Kamsahamnida” and confirmed UV Creations as producer.

Later in July, social media fixated on Tej’s 6 ft 3 in height against a much shorter heroine, sparking memes about the visual gap. The female lead is now identified as Ritika Nayak (earlier promos had shown Daksha Nagarkar). The film is positioned as a comeback for Tej, who is recuperating from a leg injury sustained during training for another project, and for director Merlapaka Gandhi after the 2022 flop *Like, Share & Subscribe*.

On 1 August the official trailer, launched by Ram Charan, showcased Tej in a dual role—village youth from Anantapur and a Korean gangster—alongside Satya, Ritika Naik, and cinematographer Manojh Reddy Katasani. S. Thaman provided the score.

By 5 August, advance bookings surged in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and the United States, with US pre‑sales projected to reach $100,000. Tej’s promotional tour, including a college event in Bheemavaram, emphasized the film’s comedy‑horror blend and his confidence that it will become a major hit. The worldwide theatrical release remains set for 7 August 2026.

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Varun Tej's film Korean Kanakaraju draws strong advance bookings

    Varun Tej's Korean Kanakaraju sees robust advance ticket sales and intensive promotions across India and the US ahead of its 7 August worldwide release.

  2. 8 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Varun Tej's Korean Kanakaraju trailer released, showing dual role and horror‑comedy mix

    The trailer for Varun Tej’s horror‑comedy Korean Kanakaraju, directed by Merlapaka Gandhi and produced by UV Creations, showcases his dual role as a village youth and a Korean gangster, with music by Thaman; it

  3. 21 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Varun Tej's Korean Kanakaraju slated for Aug 7 release, stirs height-difference memes

    Varun Tej's horror‑comedy Korean Kanakaraju releases worldwide on Aug 7, 2026, drawing meme buzz over his height gap with the female lead and marking a hoped‑for comeback.

  4. 27 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Varun Tej's 'Korean Kanakaraju' Horror‑Comedy Set for August 7 Release

    Varun Tej's horror‑comedy 'Korean Kanakaraju', directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, released its teaser—unveiled by Prabhas—showing a dual‑role plot mixing Indian village life with Korean mafia, and announced an Aug 7

Sources

archery.nl · cinemaexpress.com · filmyfocus.com · glamsham.com · greatandhra.com · mirchi9.com · newindianexpress.com · telugu360.com · tracktollywood.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history