Vijaynagar'er Hirey (; ) is a 2026 Bengali-language action-adventure film directed by Chandrasish Ray. Produced by Shrikant Mohta, Mahendra Soni and Prosenjit Chatterjee under the respective banners of Shree Venkatesh Films and Nideas Productions, the film is based on the 1988 eponymous novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay, from his Kakababu series. The narrative follows Kakababu and Shontu embarking on a perilous quest for a lost diamond in the Vijayanagara Empire.
A sequel to Kakababur Protyaborton (2022) and the fourth instalment in the SVF Kakababu franchise, it stars Prosenjit Chatterjee and Aryann Bhowmik reprising their roles as Kakababu and Shontu respectively, alongside an ensemble cast of Pushan Dasgupta, Satyam Bhattacharya, Rajnandini Paul, Anujoy Chatterjee and Sreya Bhattacharyya in other pivotal roles, with Chiranjeet Chakraborty in a special appearance.
The film was officially announced in February 2025, marking Ray's second collaboration with Prosenjit. Principal photography commenced in March 2025 and ended in May 2025. Major parts of the film were shot in Hampi and Bengaluru with a sporadic schedule, and portions were shot in Kolkata. Music of the film is composed by Indraadip Dasgupta, with lyrics penned by Srijato and Prasen. The cinematography and editing of the film were handled by Indranath Marick and Subhajit Singha, respectively.
Vijaynagar'er Hirey was released on 23 January 2026, coinciding with Netaji Jayanti and Saraswati Puja. It opened to positive reviews from critics and audience. The film was premiered at the 12th Kolkata International Children's Film Festival.
Plot Kakababu aka Raja Roychowdhury and his team are moving for a historical exploration towards Hampi, the ancient capital of Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th-century. Mr. Ranjan Sanyal and his wife Rinku are also accompanying him with Shontu and Jojo in this adventure. Suddenly one Mohan Singh threats them not to go there. But Kakababu enters in Hampi, to visit the Hampi Group of Monuments and meets famous historian Bhagawati Prasad Sharma. He realises that a mafia gang is trying to find and smuggle the mythical lost diamond of the Vijayanagara Empire, even more precious than the Kohinoor. They kidnap everyone in Kakababu's group to blackmail Kakababu to recover the legendary treasure.
Cast Prosenjit Chatterjee as Raja Roy Chowdhury / Kakababu, a former ASI agent Aryann Bhowmik as Sunanda "Shontu" Roy Chowdhury, Kakababu's nephew and assistant Pushan Dasgupta as Rajat "Jojo" Bhattacharya, Shontu's friend Satyam Bhattacharya as Ranjan Sanyal, an undercover IB officer Sreya Bhattacharyya as Dr. Rinku Sanyal, Ranjan's wife Rajnandini Paul as Kasturidevi Raya, an actress and the princess of the Chandragiri dynasty Anujoy Chattopadhyay as Mohan Singh, the leader of Kavach group Avishek De Biswas as Birju, Mohan Singh's Aide Chiranjeet Chakraborty as Bhagwati Prasad Sharma, Kakababu's mentor and a former ASI agent
Production
Development and pre-production In 2011, Srijit Mukherji and Shrikant Mohta licensed three books in the Kakababu series under Sunil Gangopadhyay's consent, which were Mishawr Rawhoshyo, Paharchuraye Aatanka and Jongoler Modhye Ek Hotel, intending to make a trilogy under the banner of Shree Venkatesh Films with Prosenjit Chatterjee playing the aforementioned character. He also revealed that he picked the specific stories as those explore diverse landscapes—desert, mountains and jungle respectively, in order to showcase different adventurous elements. Following the release of its third instalment Kakababur Protyaborton in 2022, Mukherji stated that he had completed making Kakababu films from his end and had no immediate plans to continue the trilogy in the future. Meanwhile, he also expressed to create a multi-universe featuring Kakababu, Byomkesh Bakshi and Feluda, three of the greatest characters in the Bengali literature, with a plot having been already conceptualized; however it did not materialize.
During the filming for the television series Jaha Bolibo Shotto Bolibo for Hoichoi in late-2023, it was reported that director Chandrasish Ray had met Prosenjit at his residence in Kolkata and narrated a script that impressed the actor, in their second collaboration after Nirontor (2020). According to reports, the project, which would have been Prosenjit's 296th film, was expected to be produced by his home-banner Nideas Production, with a planned start in October 2023, but was postponed due to his prior commitments to Maalik (2025), which eventually would be his 296th film. In mid-January 2025, Aajkaal hinted at their collaboration, revealing to be jointly produced by Nideas Production and Shree Venkatesh Films. Reports suggested that Chandrashish Ray might helm the fourth instalment of SVF Kakababu franchise. The film was officially announced at Shree Venkatesh Films' 30-year journey event "Golper Parbon 1432" on 28 February 2025 under the title Vijaynagar'er Hirey, based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Sunil Gangopadhyay; it was reported to be Prosenjit's 298th film. The first look of the film was also revealed on that same day.
Soumik Halder, the cinematographer associated with the previous instalments and Ray's frequent collaborator, exited the film due to his scheduling conflicts with Raghu Dakat (2025), also produced by Shree Venkatesh Films; it led Indranath Marick to replace Halder. Indraadip Dasgupta came on board as the composer reprising from the other films of the franchise. Rohit Dey and Soumya Nandy from the screenwriter duo of Rohit–Soumya reunited with Ray after Jaha Bolibo Shotto Bolibo, and reportedly worked on its script for a year. Anandabazar Patrika noted that Ray would employ de-aging technology for a little flashback portions, featuring a younger Prosenjit. He was reported to sport a thick cheveron moustache once again like the previous films.
The muhurat of the film was held on 21 February 2025 at SVF's office in Kolkata with the cast and crew. Director Haranath Chakraborty was featured there, thereby confirming his inclusion as the creative director.
Casting Aryann Bhowmik, who used to play Shontu in the previous instalments, was removed from the role because his age did not match the age of the character; then, Arghya Basu Roy stepped into that role. Broto Banerjee was cast to play Shontu's friend Jojo in the film, marking second time screen appearance seven years after Haami (2018). In February 2025, makers decided to bring back Aryann to reprise the role, keeping in mind the franchise's popularity, after several discussions regarding the character. Considering that Jojo's age should also increase if Aryann is playing the role of Shontu, Pushan Dasgupta was finalized for the role accordingly.
Chiranjeet Chakraborty joined in a prominent role, reuniting with Prosenjit, twenty-four years after their last collaboration being Inquilaab (2002). He was reportedly to have a cameo as Kakababu's mentor, B. P. Sharma. Commenting on his limited role, Chiranjeet quoted that he was not bothered since he was more satisfied to be acting with Prosenjit after a long time. He also described his role as "very liberating". Ray added that Chiranjeet was the first actor he directed independently, due to director Kaushik Ganguly's absence in the sets of Dhumketu in 2016, when he used to work as an assistant director under the latter.
In February 2025, Anujoy Chatterjee joined the film as the main antagonist. Satyam Bhattacharya, who had a small presence in the franchise's first film Mishawr Rawhoshyo during his struggling days, instantly agreed to act in the film, citing his desire to work under Ray's direction for the second time after Nirontor (2020). Rajnandini Paul revealed her participation the following month, being the female lead.
Filming
Principal photography began with the first schedule on 8 March 2025 in Hampi. Major portions were filmed in the arid regions of Vijaynagara in this schedule. Aryann shot an action sequence in the timespace between 12 and 14 March, which involved Karate. A trained karateka since 2005, he cited the form as "second mother", which accordingly transformed him. From 15 March, filming began in the Virupaksha Temple. The song "Jaatra Shubho Hok" was filmed in this schedule, portraying the adventurous journey of Kakababu. A footage of the song was leaked and went viral, prompting the film's official technology security partner to warn people against sharing leaked content or they would be deleted. A high-octane action sequence was shot on a coracle on the Tungabhadra river for five days, despite the temperature being . The "trademark action sequence of the Kakababu franchise" featuring Prosenjit in a single-handed fight scene with a crutch in another hand, was shot for three days. The schedule concluded on 19 March 2025.
The second schedule began on 30 March 2025. While the first schedule focused on the grandeur of the ruins, this phase was more focused on the mystery and the climax. A small portion of this schedule took place back at Hampi and Anegundi for specialized pickup shots and tunnel sequences that required specific lighting rigs. An action sequence was filmed in the early mornings for eight days to utilize the natural "Golden Hour" light that Ray preferred for the series' aesthetic, originally set by Srijit Mukherji. Pushan described this sequence as "out of the world". This schedule ended on 11 April 2025.
Following a brief break, the production quickly filmed sequences at a house in Kolkata in late-April. It was a 15 days' filming with Prosenjit and Aryann. To prioritise the filming, Aryann stepped down as the lead actor for the television series Video Bouma. The entry action sequence of Prosenjit was shot at Indian Museum in this schedule, whereas the production had secured rare access to shoot within the museum's restricted areas. Principal photography wrapped at the end of May.
Music
Indraadip Dasgupta composed the music of the film. The film marks his tenth collaboration with Prosenjit after Mishawr Rawhoshyo, Hanuman.com (2013), Lorai (2015), Yeti Obhijaan, Kishore Kumar Junior (2018), Gumnaami (2019), Nirontor, Kakababur Protyaborton and Ajogyo (2024).
The first song "Jaatra Shubho Hok" was released on 5 January 2026. The second song "Kakababu Title Song" was released on 25 January 2026.
Marketing The teaser of Vijaynagar'er Hirey was exclusively attached to the prints of Raghu Dakat, Raktabeej 2 and Devi Chowdhurani for theatrical screenings, all of them released in Durga Puja. A poster of the film was released on 14 November 2025, on the occasion of children's day.
The teaser was officially unveiled on 25 December 2025, on the occasion of Christmas. A song launch event was arranged on 5 January 2026, where the song "Jaatra Shubho Hok" was released. On 7 January 2026, a clip was dropped, where Srijit Mukherji and Prosenjit seen discussing about their upcoming collaboration in a satirical manner, promoting Vijaynagar'er Hirey. The teaser was screened at the 55th edition of "The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally" event at the polo ground of Royal Calcutta Turf Club on 11 January, where Prosenjit highlighted the importance of the rally in keeping the motoring heritage alive. He also took a round of the ground in a 1936 Bentley owned and driven by Shrivardhan Kanoria.
As a part of promotion, the team visited the Techno India Public School at Chuchura on 12 January 2026. The film received a U certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 14 January 2026, reinforcing the series’ positioning as a clean, family-friendly adventure brand. It was revealed having an approved runtime of 110 minutes, emerging as the shortest film in the franchise.