The team of the supernatural thriller ‘Daiji’, which has already generated curiosity with its teaser, recently completed an important shooting schedule in Varanasi (Kashi), one of India’s oldest and most spiritual cities. The city’s ghats, lanes, spiritual atmosphere and timeless environment contributed to the film’s core themes of the unseen, the supernatural, belief systems and the human response to such forces.
‘Daiji’ is directed by Akash Srivatsa, known for Shivaji Surathkal 1 and 2, and is produced by Ravi Kashyap under Vibha Kashyap Productions. The film is based on a true incident and centres on the complex relationship between humans and supernatural, mystical and unseen forces.
The team filmed continuously for three nights, capturing major sequences amid the ghats, narrow streets, Ganga Aarti and the dense crowds of devotees. Shooting among these natural elements provided the raw, varied and intense visual backdrop required for the film’s narrative.
During this schedule, renowned Kannada film director Guru Deshpande joined the team to perform a significant guest role. Known for films such as Raja Huli and Rudratandava, he plays a character that aligns with the story’s flow and introduces an important turning point. His role is positioned to present various dimensions of the unseen and supernatural elements explored in the film.
The teaser has already positioned ‘Daiji’ as one of the highly anticipated Kannada films. The film’s shooting has taken place across multiple Indian states, several districts in Karnataka, and the United Kingdom, indicating its narrative depth and scale.
The cast includes Ramesh Aravind and Radhika Narayan, who play central roles in this emotional, suspenseful and thrilling story. The ensemble also features Diganth Manchale, Avinash Yelandur, Nidhi Hegde, Sridhar Konnur and B.M. Giriraj. International actors Sandy Higgins, Saul Yusuf, Ellen Chamberlain and Florencia Martinez appear in key roles. Miss Ireland Alexandra Taylor also plays a major role, highlighting the film’s international scope.
The film features cinematography by Shreesha M. Kuduvalli and background score by Juda Sandy. With its strong script, global cast and large-scale sequences, ‘Daiji’ is positioned among Kannada cinema’s major upcoming releases. The film deals with the conflict between realism and supernatural forces.
Only two days of shoot remain for ‘Daiji,’ and post-production work has already begun.