Korean Kanakaraju is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language action horror comedy film written and directed by Merlapaka Gandhi. It was produced by Sai Babu Jagarlamudi and Y. Rajeev Reddy under First Frame Entertainments and UV Creations. The film stars Varun Tej in the titular role, alongside Ritika Nayak and Satya. Merlapaka Gandhi
The film was released theatrically worldwide on 7 August 2026.
Plot Kanakaraju's life takes a bizarre supernatural turn at a local bar when a mysterious, ancient dragon-engraved vase or container holding the ashes/spirit of a deceased Korean man (or notorious Korean underworld figure) is accidentally disturbed. Through a freak chain of events involving alcohol and the mystical artifact, Kanakaraju becomes possessed by the eerie Korean spirit.
The possession grants Kanakaraju bizarre supernatural abilities—most notably, whenever someone utters the word "Korea," he gains glowing blue eyes and instantly teleports or gets pulled into high-stakes cross-cultural chaos. As the restless spirit's true intentions surface—needing to resolve unfinished business and see his family—the narrative evolves into a tug-of-war between Kanakaraju’s consciousness and the entity. This eventually pulls Kanakaraju, Chaitra, and Kishtappa into a wild collision of Rayalaseema machismo, local rural rivalries, and violent Korean mafia gang wars spanning from Andhra Pradesh to the streets of Seoul.
Cast
Varun Tej as Kanakaraju "Kanaka" Ritika Nayak as Chaitra, Kanakaraju's love interest Satya as Kishtappa, Kanakaraju's friend Srinivas Avasarala as Prithviraju, Kanakaraju's elder brother Muralidhar Goud as Kishtappa's father Chinna as Muniswamy, Prithviraju and Kanakaraju's father Tulasi as Prithviraju and Kanakaraju's mother Sunil as Chenga Reddy Temper Vamsi as Karri Sreenu, Chenga Reddy's nephew VTV Ganesh as Diwakar Bheemala Revanth Pavan Sai Subhash as Gaajubomma, Diwakar’s son Vishika as Prithviraju’s wife Sujatha Gosukonda as Chaitra’s mother Mahesh Achanta as Chenga Reddy’s PA Oh Yong Seok as Four Fingers Joo Young Ho as Bora, Four Fingers’ right-hand man Lee Nataliya as Four Fingers’ wife Daksha Nagarkar as Dancer Sunitha (Cameo appearance)
Music The film's soundtrack album and background score are composed by Thaman S. The first single from the album, titled "Kamsahamnida", was sung by Sid Sriram.
Release Korean Kanakaraju was released in theaters worldwide on 7 August 2026.
Sri Venkateswara Creations is responsible for the distribution of this film in the Nizam and Vizag areas.
References
External links