Kathanar Release Date Announced: Jayasurya–Anushka Shetty Big Budget Film Set For Bakrid 2026
The release date of Kathanar, one of the most anticipated Malayalam films currently in production, has been confirmed. The Jayasurya–Anushka Shetty starrer will arrive in theatres worldwide on May 27, 2026 as a Bakrid release.
Poster of Kathanar | Image: Sree Gokulam Movies
The film is produced and distributed by Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies. With a reported budget of around ₹90 crore, the project is among the biggest Malayalam productions in recent years.
Rojin Thomas, who earlier directed the critically acclaimed film Home, is helming the project. The previous film released directly on OTT and received strong appreciation from critics and audiences.
A Big Film In Jayasurya’s Career
Kathanar is expected to be an important film in Jayasurya’s career. While the actor has delivered several memorable performances, his biggest commercial successes as a solo lead largely came from the Aadu franchise.
The timing could also work in his favour. Aadu 3 is expected to arrive around the same period, meaning Jayasurya may have two major theatrical releases within a short span.
Budget And Box Office Expectations
With a reported production budget close to ₹90 crore, the film will need strong box office support. Trade circles believe the film may need around ₹150 crore worldwide, along with solid OTT deals, to comfortably recover its investment.
Like most big releases, the opening weekend response and word of mouth will play a major role in determining its theatrical run.
Busy Summer For Malayalam Cinema
The April–May period is shaping up to be a packed season for Malayalam cinema with several films targeting the same window.
With multiple releases arriving in theatres during the same period, the summer months could turn into one of the busiest seasons for Malayalam cinema in recent years.
Middle East Market Still Crucial
The Middle East continues to be one of the most important overseas markets for Malayalam cinema because of the large Malayali audience in the region. Most big Malayalam releases depend heavily on Gulf collections for their overseas box office numbers.
However, the ongoing war situation in parts of the Middle East has become a concern for the industry. If the situation continues closer to the release period, it could affect theatre occupancy and overall collections from the region.
For a big budget film like Kathanar, overseas markets including the Gulf will play a key role in its overall box office performance.
Kathanar Trailer
Kathanar Movie Details
| Movie | Kathanar |
| Cast | Jayasurya, Anushka Shetty |
| Director | Rojin Thomas |
| Producer | Gokulam Gopalan |
| Production | Sree Gokulam Movies |
| Budget | ₹90 Crore (Approx) |
| Release Date | May 27, 2026 (Bakrid) |
