Peter (2026 film)
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Rakesh Heggade
| Peter | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sukesh Shetty |
| Screenplay by | Sukesh Shetty |
| Story by | Sukesh Shetty |
| Produced by | Ravi Hiremat Rakesh Heggade |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Guruprasad Narnad |
| Edited by | Naveen Shetty |
| Music by | Rithvik Muralidhar |
Production company | Vruddhi Studios |
| Distributed by | KVN Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 141 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Peter is a 2026 Indian crime drama film written and directed by Sukesh Shetty. It stars Rajesh Dhruva, Janvi Rayala and Raviksha Shetty in the lead roles. The film is produced by Ravi Hiremat and Rakesh Heggade under the Vruddhi Studios banner. The plot revolves around a troubled chende drummer who returns to his hometown, where a past conflict tied to a temple festival unravels a web of love, betrayal and hidden violence.
Details of the film were first made public in September 2024, when close a month's filming was completed. It was revealed that the plot revolved around cultural themes of Karnataka and Kerala. Set in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, filming locations included Madikeri and Bhagamandala.[1] Upon theatrical release on 10 April 2026, the film opened to mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.
- Rajesh Dhruva as Peter
- Janvi Rayala as Radha
- Raviksha Shetty as Meera
- Ram Nadagoud as Shambu
- Varun Patel
- Prathima Nayak as Mary
- Raghu Pandeshwar
- Radhakrishna Kumble
- Deena Poojari
- Siddu
- Bharath as David
- Manu Kasargod
- Rakshith Doddera
Production
Details of the film was first made public on 15 September 2024. It was revealed that the film would be released in three languages: Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. Ravi Hiremath and Rakesh Hegde under the banner Vriddhi Studios produced the film. A first-look poster of the film was released.[2]
Director Shetty revealed the names of the lead actors in the film. Rajesh Dhruva, who has transitioned from television serials to films, was the male lead, alongside Rajesh. Janvi Rayala and debutant Raviksha Shetty had been hired to play the female leads. Also revealing the filming details, he stated, "We have completed 29 days of shooting extensively in Madikeri and are now waiting for a season change to resume. The first half was shot entirely in natural rain, as required by the plot, with several sets constructed in the rural village of Bhagamandala. At this point, we've scheduled a break to allow the three main actors to focus on reducing their weight for the remaining scenes."[2] In an interview with the Times of India, he stated, "By filming in Madikeri and Bhagamandala, we've captured an intense suspense drama set amid lush greenery. The visuals make you feel the mist, rain and thunder of Coorg right from your seat."[3]
Music
| Peter | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Rithvik Muralidhar | |
| Length | 15:15 |
| Label | Think Music |
The film's soundtrack was composed by Rithvik Muralidhar, and singers included Ajay Gogavale, Pranavam Sasi, making his debut in Kannada, and Kapil Kapilan. The music rights were brought by Think Music, a then major music label in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu cinema, entering the Kannada music for the first time.[4] The soundtrack included four tracks. Sasi sang "Ding Dong Bell" written by Trilok Trivikrama.[5]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sundari Sundari" | Trilok Trivikrama | Kapil Kapilan, Sunidhi Ganesh | 4:42 |
| 2. | "Thaaye Thaaye" | Sukeerth Shetty | Rithvik Muralidhar | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Josh Jawani" | Trilok Trivikrama | Ajay Gogavale | 3:42 |
| 4. | "Ding Dong Bell" | Trilok Trivikrama | Pranavam Sasi | 3:18 |
| Total length: | 15:15 | |||
Marketing and release
Actors Vijay Sethupathi and Dhananjaya released the first-look poster of the film. Sukesh Shetty, who had previous directed Dooradarshana (2023), stated that Peter would be a crime drama film. The poster had an abandoned vintage Yamaha RX motorcycle, and a wall sketch illustrating musicians in mid-performance in the background. It also had two handwritten notes on the wall "Jessie vapas bandidaale" in the Kannada and "Royal chande hudugaru" in the Tamil and Malayalam versions. It was reported that the film would revolve around Singari Mela, a traditional art form, and that it would be set against the backdrop of Kerala's Chende Mela, a traditional drum ensemble known for its dynamic and rhythmic performances. Director Shetty revealed that the plot would also include Yakshagana and Buta Kola, the art forms of Karnataka.[2]
When the film's trailer was released a year later, on 30 October 2025, further details were revealed. Media reported that the film explored the darker edges of human emotion and morality. The report added that the film's lead actor Rajesh Dhruva appeared as Peter, a man defined by his past, tormented by his present, and feared by those around him. His internal struggle between love and vengeance drove the emotional rhythm of the story. The names of the supporting actors were also mentioned: Ram Nadagoud, Varun Patel, Prathima Nayak, Raghu Pandeshwar, Radhakrishna Kumble, Deena Poojari, Siddu, Bharath, Manu Kasargod and Rakshit Doddera.[6]