Karavali row explained: Kannada actor Prajwal's no-show, unpaid dues and more

What began as Karavali's trailer launch soon turned into a public dispute involving actor Prajwal Devaraj, the makers and a growing fan backlash. The controversy stemmed from pending payments, dubbing no-show and fan protests. Here's what happened.

In Short

• Prajwal's absence from the Bengaluru trailer launch upset fans before protests began
• Gurudatha Ganiga said the team tried contacting Prajwal for nearly two months
• The makers said Rs 25 lakh remained unpaid from Prajwal's fee

What was meant to be a celebratory trailer launch for Karavali in Bengaluru on July 7 turned into one of the Kannada film industry's biggest controversies this year. The event, organised ahead of the film's July 24 release, witnessed protests from a section of lead actor Prajwal Devaraj's fans after they alleged that his voice had been replaced in the trailer.

While Prajwal had initially been announced as one of the guests at the trailer launch, his absence from the event only added to the growing speculation, prompting fans to demand answers from the makers. The controversy soon snowballed into a public war of words, with the film's makers, Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B Shetty, issuing separate statements over allegations surrounding dubbing, pending remuneration and miscommunication.

Written and directed by Gurudatha Ganiga, Karavali is one of Kannada cinema's most anticipated releases of 2026. Produced by Gurudatha Ganiga Films in association with VK Films and Suram Movies, and presented by KVN Productions, the film stars Prajwal Devaraj in the lead, with Raj B Shetty appearing in an extended cameo. The trailer of the film was released on July 7 and has received appreciation for its scale and promise of rooted storytelling.

What did director Gurudatha Ganiga say?

Addressing the media at the trailer launch, writer-director and producer Gurudatha Ganiga claimed that Prajwal Devaraj had confirmed his attendance until the previous night and that passes had been arranged for the actor's fans.

According to Ganiga, the production team had been trying to contact Prajwal for nearly two months to complete the remaining dubbing portions but had received no response from him. He alleged that repeated calls and messages went unanswered, with the actor's manager only informing them that Prajwal was busy.

Ganiga further claimed that a dubbing studio had been booked for Prajwal after the trailer launch. Distributor Suprith, through KVN Productions, had also attempted to initiate discussions through a mutual friend. However, the conversations never materialised.

The remuneration dispute

The makers also publicly addressed reports regarding Prajwal's pending remuneration. According to Ganiga, the actor had signed the film for Rs 1.25 crore, of which Rs 1 crore had already been paid, leaving Rs 25 lakh pending.

The director maintained that the production never intended to withhold the balance amount and insisted that the remaining payment would be cleared. He also revealed that after watching an early cut of Karavali, Prajwal had allegedly described it as "a landmark film in my career."

Prajwal Devaraj: 'I wasn't angry, I was hurt'

In an interview with a regional news channel following the controversy, Prajwal Devaraj said he was disappointed rather than angry. But, he had a different story to tell.

"I could have just dubbed for the trailer, but they didn't want me," he said.

The actor claimed the issue was never solely about money but about respect after dedicating over two-and-a-half years to the project. Prajwal said he had declined other films during the production and even shaved his head for the role.

"I even asked my manager before the trailer launch to check if they needed me to dub. We could have sorted out the financial issues later. Nobody called me. They didn't even send the trailer to me. I received it only at midnight on July 7, and obviously, I was hurt that my voice wasn't there," he said.

Prajwal also maintained that the financial dispute remained unresolved.

"Remuneration is the problem. Last year alone, I left Rs 1.5 crore in the market because I wanted to support producers. Today, I'm in financial trouble," he said, adding that the producers had allegedly informed him they would not pay the remaining amount.

When the media present at the trailer launch asked how much of the pending amount remained to be cleared, Prajwal said he would verify the exact figures with his chartered accountant because GST calculations were involved.

Was Raj B Shetty the reason?

While Karavali was announced in 2024 with Prajwal Devaraj as its lead, Raj B Shetty joined the project in August 2025 for what the makers describe as an extended cameo. Following the trailer's release, questions were raised by the media over whether Raj's inclusion and his prominence in the trailer had created friction between the makers and Prajwal.

Addressing the speculation, Ganiga dismissed the claims. According to him, Prajwal had been informed from the outset that another leading actor could join the project and the latter had agreed to the decision as well. He also pointed out that Prajwal remained the face of the film's promotional material, while Raj B Shetty's name did not feature on several posters.

Raj B Shetty: 'No actor is bigger than cinema'

Reacting to the brewing dispute, Rakkasapuradhol actor Raj B Shetty distanced himself from the controversy, saying the film should always remain bigger than individuals. Clarifying that he only plays an extended guest role, the actor said he neither sought top billing nor expected prominence in the publicity campaign.

"Even if my name doesn't appear on the poster, I have no problem. The film is bigger than me," he said.

Raj also urged both sides to resolve the issue amicably and said he hoped to meet Prajwal personally. He argued that ego clashes and fan-driven rivalries often prevent the Kannada film industry from reaching greater heights.

Speaking against celebrity worship, he added, "I have never asked anyone to put up my cut-outs. If a day comes when people are fighting over my cut-outs, that should be the day I quit the film industry."

Prajwal Devaraj on Raj B Shetty

Rejecting speculation of any issue with Raj B Shetty, Prajwal praised his co-star and confirmed that Raj plays his father in the film's flashback portions.

"Raj is a wonderful actor. I've worked with multiple heroes before in Chowka. Your work should speak for itself. I'm genuinely happy he's part of the film," he said.

Despite the ongoing dispute, Prajwal said he would continue to support Karavali.

"It's my film too. I'll promote it in every way I personally can. I hate all this noise. I'm a quiet person. This film is important not just to me, but to everyone who has worked on it," he said.

Who is Prajwal Devaraj?

Prajwal Devaraj is a well-known Kannada actor who has appeared in around 40 films over a career spanning nearly two decades. The son of veteran Kannada actor Devaraj, he made his acting debut with Sixer (2007) and went on to star in films such as Geleya, Murali Meets Meera, Chowka, Gentleman, Inspector Vikram and Mafia.

Over the years, Prajwal has built a reputation for taking on action-oriented roles while also experimenting across genres. Karavali is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious projects of his career, with the actor having spent over two-and-a-half years working on the film.

With Karavali scheduled to release on July 24, the focus has temporarily shifted from the film itself to the disagreement between its lead actor and producers. Whether the issue is resolved before release remains to be seen, but for now, the controversy has become as widely discussed as the trailer itself.

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