KD: The Devil Sparks Debate as Audience Reviews Get Disabled

KD: The Devil, starring Dhruva Sarja, has reignited discussions around a growing trend in the Kannada film industry — disabling audience reviews during a film’s crucial opening phase. The film’s page on BookMyShow currently displays a notice stating that ratings and reviews have been turned off following a court order, effectively limiting public feedback at release.

This move is not isolated. Recent Kannada films like Darshan’s The Devil and Sudeep’s Max have reportedly taken similar legal routes. Filmmakers argue that such steps are necessary to prevent coordinated negative campaigns, especially in a time when social media reactions can rapidly influence a film’s box office performance.

From the industry’s perspective, this strategy provides a buffer period, allowing the film to connect with audiences in theatres before being shaped by online discourse. However, the approach has sparked debate among viewers, for whom ratings and reviews serve as a quick and trusted guide amid a flood of content.

While courts have granted interim relief in such cases, permitting a temporary suspension of reviews, the broader question remains unresolved — is this a safeguard against unfair trolling or a way to avoid genuine criticism?