Kannada cinema’s found-footage horror sensation is finally here, and it’s every bit as gripping as the hype suggested. Thirteen years after 6-5=2 redefined the genre for Karnataka audiences, director Srinidhi Bengaluru’s Video steps into massive shoes and manages to carve out its own eerie identity. Blending YouTuber culture with a genuinely haunting premise, this found-footage thriller pulls you into the story of five content creators whose fateful visit to one of India’s most dangerous haunted sites spirals into an unforgettable night of terror.
Video is a technically polished, atmospheric found-footage horror film that successfully captures the eerie, anxiety-inducing spirit that made 6-5=2 a cult classic, wrapped in a fresh, relatable YouTuber-vlogging framework that feels genuinely of-the-moment. Director Srinidhi Bengaluru crafts a haunting premise with relatable characters and smart use of documentary-style storytelling, while cinematographer Avinaasha Shastry, editor Sanjeev Jagirdar and the sound design trio of T S Hariharasudhan, Rahul Rajan and R J Rahul elevate the film into an immersive, unsettling experience that lingers well after the credits roll. With committed performances from its five leads and a premise built for word-of-mouth buzz, Video has all the makings of Kannada cinema’s next big sleeper hit, delivering thrills, scares and heart in equal measure.
Cast & Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Srinidhi Bengaluru |
| Writer (Story, Screenplay, Dialogue) | Srinidhi Bengaluru |
| Producer | Deekshith Shetty |
| Executive Producer | Bharath Sagar |
| Production Banner | Dhee Cinemas |
| Distributor | Dhee Cinemas, Waa & Chandan Films |
| Cinematography | Avinaasha Shastry |
| Editing | Sanjeev Jagirdar |
| Music | Prasanna Kumar M S |
| Sound Design | T S Hariharasudhan, Rahul Rajan, R J Rahul |
| Lead Cast | Bharatha, Jeevan Shivakumar, Tejesh S M, Priya J Achar, Nalme Nachiya |
| Supporting Cast | Nagesh Yadav, Pavanaputhra, Hari Samashti |
| Runtime | 122 minutes |
| Release Date | September 11, 2026 |
| Language | Kannada |
Plot Summary
Video follows Tharle Gang, a group of five YouTube content creators — three guys and two girls — celebrating their channel’s meteoric rise to 1 million subscribers. To mark the milestone in unforgettable style, they decide to visit one of India’s deadliest haunted sites, filming the entire adventure for their followers. But the celebration quickly turns into a nightmare, and the group vanishes without a trace. When a traveller later stumbles upon their abandoned camera equipment, the recovered footage is pieced together chronologically by the film’s own director, reconstructing exactly what happened to the gang during that fateful night of the lunar eclipse. Told entirely through vlogging cameras and CCTV footage, the film unravels the mystery of their disappearance, the bond between the five friends, and the terrifying force they unknowingly awakened.
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Performances
Bharatha anchors the group with a natural, grounded screen presence, making his character’s excitement and eventual terror feel completely authentic. He brings a likability to the role that makes the audience root for him from the very first frame.
Jeevan Shivakumar delivers a performance full of energy and charisma, capturing the carefree spirit of a young content creator before skillfully shifting gears into raw vulnerability as the horror intensifies.
Tejesh S M stands out with a performance that feels refreshingly real, bringing warmth and camaraderie to the group dynamic that makes the found-footage format land emotionally as well as viscerally.
Priya J Achar is a strong presence throughout, holding her own in an ensemble cast and bringing genuine emotional depth to some of the film’s most intense sequences.
Nalme Nachiya rounds out the central five with a performance that balances relatability and quiet intensity, making her arc one of the more affecting threads in the story.
Together, this ensemble makes the found-footage conceit work — their chemistry feels lived-in, and their collective performances are a big reason the film’s slow-burn first half stays engaging.
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Technical Craft
Direction
Srinidhi Bengaluru, who previously helmed Blink, once again proves why he’s a name to watch in Kannada cinema. He crafts a plot filled with relatable characters, believable actions and a genuinely intriguing haunting premise, layering in familiar elements — from YouTuber culture to meta touches of filmmakers piecing together the footage — that make the horror feel disturbingly close to reality.
Cinematography
Avinaasha Shastry’s camerawork is one of the film’s biggest assets, using handheld vlogging cameras and CCTV footage to build a constant, creeping sense of unease that never lets up, even during the quieter character-building moments.
Music & Sound Design
The sound design team of T S Hariharasudhan, Rahul Rajan and R J Rahul, alongside music by Prasanna Kumar M S, does heavy lifting in creating the film’s unsettling atmosphere, ensuring tension is sustained even when the narrative is simply setting the stage.
Editing
Sanjeev Jagirdar’s editing keeps the chronological found-footage structure coherent and immersive, stitching together vlog footage and CCTV feeds into a seamless, anxiety-inducing viewing experience.
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Genuinely eerie atmosphere sustained through strong camerawork, editing and sound design
- Relatable, well-written characters that ground the horror in emotional reality
- A fresh, YouTuber-vlogging spin on the found-footage format
- Committed, believable performances from the full ensemble cast
- A haunting, intriguing central premise that keeps audiences hooked
Areas That Could Be Tightened:
- The first half takes a little longer than necessary to reach the core plot point
- The climax overexposes its scares, which could have landed with even greater impact if handled with more restraint
- A few makeup and effects touches in the climax could have been sharper
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
Video is a triumphant, atmospheric addition to Kannada horror cinema — a film that channels the spirit of 6-5=2 while carving its own identity through technical brilliance and heartfelt performances. Despite minor rough edges in its final stretch, the sheer craft on display, the eerie immersive experience it builds, and the emotional investment in its five central characters make Video an unmissable theatrical experience. It’s the kind of unique, exciting horror outing Kannada cinema has been waiting for, and it fully earns its place as one of the year’s must-watch releases.
What is the age rating/certification for Video?
Video is a horror film built around intense, eerie sequences and is best suited for mature audiences comfortable with supernatural horror themes and disturbing visuals.
Is Video suitable for children or family viewing?
No, given its found-footage horror content, unsettling visuals and intense climax, Video is not recommended for children or family viewing.
Is Video based on a true story?
No, Video is a fictional found-footage horror film, though its documentary-style presentation is designed to make the events feel eerily real.
