Criminal: Dhruva Sarja’s Actioner Progresses Rapidly, Dasara Release Targeted

Actor Dhruva Sarja’s upcoming film Criminal is progressing swiftly, marking a departure from the long production cycles that usually accompany his large-scale action entertainers.

Directed by Rajguru, the film has already completed nearly 70% of its shoot, with production moving at a steady pace. The team is now preparing for the next schedules, with plans to wrap up the talkie portions soon. If everything proceeds as planned, the makers are eyeing a Dasara festive release window later this October.

Early stills from the film reveal Dhruva Sarja in a rugged avatar. The actor appears to have shed some weight for the role and sports a raw, village-style look, reflecting an earthy tone that aligns with the film’s narrative.

The film also stars Rachita Ram, who has already completed portions of her shoot, while a few schedules remain. The supporting cast includes Gopal Krishna Deshpande and Tara in key roles.

Though the storyline is being kept tightly under wraps, industry chatter hints at a grounded, rural setting with a raw flavour. Some reports suggest elements inspired by traditional bull-taming spectacles like Jallikattu, although the makers have not officially confirmed this.

The film is produced by Manish Shah under the banner of Goldmines Telefilms. The technical team includes composer Chandan Shetty, with action sequences choreographed by stunt directors Vikram Mor and Ravi Varma. A major action set piece has also been shot under the popular stunt duo Ram-Lakshman.

Interestingly, the film’s dialogues are said to feature a strong North Karnataka dialect, adding a distinct regional flavour to the narrative.

Meanwhile, Dhruva Sarja is also gearing up for the release of KD on April 30. Industry buzz suggests the actor may begin another project soon after, with potential collaborations with Suri and Kiranraj K reportedly in discussion.