The much-awaited trailer of Karavali, starring Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B Shetty, has finally been released, offering an intense look at a large-scale action drama rooted in the traditions, conflicts and identity of coastal Karnataka. Directed by Gurudatha Ganiga, the Kannada film is scheduled to arrive in theatres on July 24, 2026.

Running for nearly three minutes, the trailer introduces audiences to a visually rich world where Kambala, the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka, plays a central role. Rather than using the sport only as a spectacle, the film appears to connect it with themes of family pride, legacy, power and political rivalry.

The trailer combines emotional drama with large action sequences and mystery. Prajwal Devaraj is seen in an intense role, while Raj B Shetty's appearance has become one of the biggest talking points. The makers have deliberately kept the exact relationship between the two characters secret, leading to fan theories about whether they could represent members of the same family across different timelines.

Kambala sequences bring massive scale to Karavali

One of the major highlights of the trailer is the recreation of Kambala races on a grand scale. Director Gurudatha Ganiga revealed during the trailer launch that around 380 buffaloes were involved during the production of the racing portions, underlining the ambitious scale of the film. The coastal landscape, traditional atmosphere and action-heavy visuals give Karavali a distinct identity. Supporting actors including Ramesh Indira, Mitra, Sampada and Sushmita Bhat also appear in important moments throughout the trailer.

The film appears to combine local culture with a commercial action-drama format. While Kambala serves as the visual centrepiece, the trailer suggests that the story will also explore questions of identity, family honour, rivalry and political influence. Raj B Shetty appears in an extended cameo, while Prajwal Devaraj leads the film. The supporting cast includes Sampada, Mitra, Ramesh Indira, Sushmita Bhat, Sridhar KS, Govinde Gowda and Niranjan.

Trailer launch controversy adds to film buzz

The Karavali trailer was launched at a special event in Bengaluru on July 7. During the event, some fans raised questions about Prajwal Devaraj's voice in the trailer and speculated that it had been replaced. Director and producer Gurudatha Ganiga addressed the issue during the event amid reports of disagreements related to production delays and pending payment matters. The discussion added another layer of attention to a film that had already faced multiple delays during its production journey. Karavali is written and directed by Gurudatha Ganiga and is presented by KVN Productions. Gurudatha Ganiga Films is producing the movie, with VK Films and Suram Movies associated as co-producers.

The story has been written by Chandrashekar Bandiyappa. Abhimanyu Sadanandan handles the cinematography, Sachin Basrur is responsible for the music and background score, while Pratheek Shetty serves as the editor. With its combination of Kambala racing, coastal culture, family emotions, mystery and large-scale action, Karavali has created strong curiosity among Kannada cinema audiences. After a long production journey and several delays, the film is now set to hit theatres on July 24, with expectations riding high on the Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B Shetty combination.