Karavali trailer: Prajwal-Raj B Shetty film unpacks Kambala, pride and politics

Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B Shetty's long-awaited Karavali unveils an action-packed trailer rooted in coastal Karnataka, with Kambala (Buffalo racing), mystery and scale taking centre stage.

In Short

• Karavali arrives after a long production period and multiple delays
• The trailer hints at two timelines without confirming the central relationship
• Kambala anchors the visuals, framing themes of family, identity and legacy

The trailer of Kannada actors Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B Shetty's much-awaited film Karavali was finally unveiled, giving audiences a glimpse into the world of director Gurudatha Ganiga's ambitious action drama. The film, which has been in production for a considerable period and witnessed multiple delays, is now slated to release in theatres on July 24.

The nearly three-minute trailer immerses viewers in the culture and traditions of coastal Karnataka, with Kambala serving as the film's visual centrepiece. The iconic buffalo race, which gained nationwide recognition through Rishab Shetty’s Kantara (2022), forms the backdrop of what appears to be an emotionally charged story rooted in family, identity and legacy. Alongside its sweeping visuals and action set pieces, the trailer hints at an emotional conflict without revealing too much.

One of the trailer's biggest talking points is the dynamic between Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B Shetty. While the makers keep the nature of their relationship under wraps, the footage raises an intriguing question: do the two actors portray a father-son duo across two different timelines? The trailer deliberately avoids providing a clear answer, adding to the film's intrigue.

Ramesh Indira, Mitra, Sampada and Sushmita Bhat also leave a strong impression in their brief appearances. The film's grounded aesthetic, large-scale action sequences and recreation of coastal Karnataka further elevate the trailer. Director Gurudatha Ganiga also revealed that nearly 380 buffaloes were used during production, highlighting the scale of the Kambala sequences.

The trailer was launched at a special event in Bengaluru on July 7, where some fans present expressed disappointment, claiming Prajwal Devaraj's voice had been replaced in the trailer. Addressing the speculation, Ganiga clarified the dubbing controversy during the event. The controversy reportedly stemmed from a disagreement between director-producer Gurudatha Ganiga and Prajwal over delays in the actor's pending payments.

Written and directed by Gurudatha Ganiga, Karavali is presented by KVN Productions and produced by Gurudatha Ganiga Films, with VK Films and Suram Movies serving as co-producers. Apart from Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B Shetty, who appears in an extended cameo, the film also stars Sampada, Mitra, Ramesh Indira, Sushmita Bhat, Sridhar KS, Govinde Gowda and Niranjan.

The story is by Chandrashekar Bandiyappa, with cinematography by Abhimanyu Sadanandan, music and background score by Sachin Basrur, and editing by Pratheek Shetty. Karavali comes with a lot of anticipation and is scheduled to release in theatres on July 24.

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