Varun Tej’s latest, Korean Kanakaraju, is moving from the big screen to the digital space. The horror-comedy, directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, is set to make its OTT debut following its theatrical release on August 7, 2026. The film has given Varun Tej a welcome boost after a run of films that struggled at the box office. Now, audiences who missed the movie in theatres will soon be able to watch it from home.
Korean Kanakaraju is scheduled to premiere digitally on September 4, 2026, according to its listing on Netflix. The release comes roughly four weeks after the film opened in theatres.
Netflix has acquired the movie's digital streaming rights, with the September premiere falling in line with the post-theatrical window associated with its OTT release.
The story follows Kanakaraju, played by Varun Tej, a young man from Penukonda who is known for his short temper but also has a relatively uncomplicated life. He leads a traditional Bhajana troupe and takes responsibility for helping his family. Everything changes when the spirit of a Korean gangster becomes connected to his life. What follows is a strange combination of supernatural incidents, danger and comic misunderstandings, turning Kanakaraju's ordinary existence upside down.
The film also features a romantic track involving Chaitra, played by Ritika Nayak. Her fascination with South Korean culture, including K-pop and K-dramas, and her ambition to move abroad add another layer to the story. The narrative uses this interest in Korea to create an unusual link between a small-town setting in Andhra Pradesh and the world of South Korea.
Varun Tej leads the film as Kanakaraju, while Ritika Nayak plays the female lead. Comedian Satya has an important supporting role, with his performance and comic timing emerging as one of the film's notable elements, particularly during the first half. The supporting cast includes Sunil Varma, Daksha Nagarkar, VTV Ganesh, Mahesh Achanta, and Srinivas Avasarala.
Merlapaka Gandhi has directed the film, which is jointly produced by UV Creations and First Frame Entertainments. Thaman S. has composed the music, while Manojh Reddy has handled cinematography and Satyaa G. is credited with the editing.
The movie is expected to be available on Netflix primarily in Telugu, with dubbed versions reportedly planned in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.
However, an official announcement confirming the complete multi-language streaming lineup is still awaited from Netflix and the makers. The September 4 OTT premiere, meanwhile, is reflected in Netflix's catalogue listing.