Varun Tej Starrer Korean Kanakaraju Releases in Theatres

Director Merlapaka Gandhi's horror comedy film Korean Kanakaraju, starring Varun Tej, Ritika Nayak, and Satya, arrived in cinemas on August 7, 2026. The movie features a story set in Penukonda, located in the Rayalaseema region, centering on a traditional folk performance troupe leader whose life changes after being possessed by a Korean spirit.

The narrative follows Kanakaraju, played by Varun Tej, who leads a traditional folk performance troupe in Penukonda. He falls in love with Chaitra, played by Ritika Nayak, who works at the Kia plant and is a passionate K-pop fanatic. After Kanakaraju gets close to Chaitra, his life turns upside down when a Korean spirit takes over his body. The plot traces how Kanakaraju, Chaitra, and his friend Kisttappa work together to discover the backstory of the spirit and free him from the possession.

Produced by Rajeev Reddy Yeduguru, Pramod Uppalapati, and Vamsi Krishna Reddy, the technical team for the movie includes music director Thaman S, cinematographer Manojh Reddy, and editor Satyaa G. The supporting cast includes Master Revanth, Muralidhar Goud, and several Korean actors.

The film marks a notable entry in the horror comedy genre for Tollywood. Director Merlapaka Gandhi, known for previous films such as Venkatadri Express and Express Raja, structured the screenplay to integrate humor directly into the storyline without pausing the plot. Varun Tej presents two distinct variations in the film, appearing as the traditional Kanakaraju and as a stylish Korean figure. Actor Satya plays a key comedic role, with his interactions alongside Varun Tej serving as a main highlight.

Despite the continuous comedic elements, the film contains certain drawbacks, including a rushed climax and CGI work that falls short of expectations. Some sequences also feature violence that could have been toned down for family audiences, alongside minor logical inconsistencies.