Adivi Sesh & Mrunal Thakur's 'Dacoit' Gets a New Festival Release Date!

Get ready for an epic triple clash as Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur's romantic action thriller "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" moves its worldwide release to March 19, 2026, aligning perfectly with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa celebrations!

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

• "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha", starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, is now officially set to launch worldwide on March 19, 2026.
• The film's original Christmas 2025 release was postponed because Adivi Sesh sustained an injury during an action sequence on set.
• This new date sets up a massive box office showdown, as "Dacoit" will now clash with Ranbir Kapoor's "Love & War" and Yash's "Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups."

Why "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" Had to Hit Pause on its Original Release Plans

Big news for fans eagerly awaiting "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha"! This highly anticipated romantic action thriller, featuring the dynamic duo Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, has officially announced a new worldwide release date: March 19, 2026. Originally, the film was slated to hit screens for Christmas 2025, but sometimes, life (and movie sets) throws a curveball.

The main reason for this delay, as confirmed by insiders, was an unfortunate on-set injury to lead actor Adivi Sesh. While filming a high-octane action sequence, Sesh got hurt, requiring time for recovery. This pause naturally impacted the shooting schedule, especially the remaining action blocks. The extra time allows for his full recovery and ensures the team can complete the shoot to deliver the top-notch cinematic experience fans expect. It's all about quality, and sometimes that means a little extra patience!

Get Ready for a Massive Festival Box Office Showdown in March 2026

Moving to March 19, 2026, wasn't just a random decision; it's a strategic move to capitalize on a major festive period. This new release date coincides perfectly with a triple celebration: Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa. This means a long weekend and holiday cheer across various parts of India, which is usually fantastic for box office numbers!

However, this new date also means "Dacoit" is stepping into the ring for what's shaping up to be an epic box office battle. It will now clash with two other massive, much-anticipated films:

• Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Love & War": This romantic drama, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, is scheduled to release a day later, on March 20, 2026. It's reportedly a remake of the classic 1964 film "Sangam."
• Yash's "Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups": The gangster drama, featuring a star-studded cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Akshay Oberoi, and Tara Sutaria, is also hitting theatres on March 19, 2026. This Geetu Mohandas directorial has been shot simultaneously in English and Kannada, with plans for dubs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Talk about a packed weekend for movie lovers! While some reports initially hinted at a March 26 release for "Dacoit," the official posters and actor confirmations clearly point to March 19, 2026, setting the stage for this exciting triple-threat match-up.

Meet the Powerhouse Cast and Creative Minds Behind "Dacoit"

"Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" is not just about its thrilling plot; it boasts a stellar cast and a talented crew bringing this vision to life. Here's a quick look at who's who:

• Lead Actors: Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur
• Director: Shaneil Deo (marking his directorial debut!)
• Producers: Supriya Yarlagadda, with Suniel Narang as co-producer.
• Presented By: Annapurna Studios
• Story & Screenplay: Co-written by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo.
• Music Composer: Bheems Ceciroleo
• Key Supporting Cast:
  • Anurag Kashyap: The renowned Bollywood filmmaker makes his Tollywood debut in a pivotal, surprisingly grey-shaded role. He's reportedly playing a police officer and an Ayyappa devotee, a character he finds both fun and challenging.
  • Prakash Raj
  • Sunil
  • Atul Kulkarni
  • Zayn Marie Khan

Fans are particularly hyped to see Anurag Kashyap in what's being described as an antagonistic role, adding another layer of intrigue to the film.

"Playing a police officer who is an Ayyappa devotee is both fun and challenging. The conundrums of duty versus dharma, and to go about doing his job with a dry sense of humour, is fantastic. I am truly looking forward to playing this character in two languages, shooting in Hindi, as well as in Telugu. To get the same impact in both the languages is the challenging part, something I am thoroughly enjoying."

— Anurag Kashyap, on his role in "Dacoit"

Peeling Back the Layers of "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha's" Gripping Narrative

So, what exactly is "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" all about? This film is billed as a romantic action thriller that promises an "explosive drama" and an "electrifying cinematic experience." The story centers on a wrongfully convicted man who breaks out of prison, seeking vengeance on the woman he believes betrayed him. He then exploits her desperate attempts to save her husband, drawing her into a dangerous web of crime and betrayal.

Adivi Sesh is set to portray a "surprisingly grey-shaded character," hinting at a complex protagonist rather than a clear-cut hero. Mrunal Thakur takes on the role of Juliet, a woman "entangled in a violent past and conflicted loyalties." The makers have teased that Juliet serves as the emotional anchor of this deeply layered drama, suggesting her character will drive much of the film's raw emotion and compelling drama.

Adivi Sesh himself has spoken highly of his co-star, Mrunal Thakur, praising her dedication to the project:

"I find her remarkable. She’s an absolute joy to work with. I believe she’s currently filming in Scotland or London - somewhere in the UK, and she’s still managing to stay up late to ensure she’s contributing to bringing Dacoit to the audience. It truly means a lot to me that she’s so deeply invested."

— Adivi Sesh, on Mrunal Thakur's commitment

He also gave some intriguing insights into the film's overall vibe, describing it as "very muscular" and noting, "Every line has been discussed; each dialogue has been acted out with each other. I think it’s Shaneil’s vision that’s really sort of made it very contemporary." He even characterized its unique blend, saying it presents "a very American look at a very Indian story." This suggests a fresh, adrenaline-charged narrative approach that could really resonate with a pan-India audience.

Pan-India Ambitions and Production Details That Are Setting This Film Apart

One of the exciting aspects of "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" is its ambitious scale. The film is being shot simultaneously in both Hindi and Telugu, ensuring that it appeals to a wider audience right from the start. Beyond that, the plan is to release dubbed versions in other languages, truly targeting a pan-India viewership and making it accessible to as many people as possible.

The production has "broadly shot" the film, and it's currently in the crucial post-production phase. This stage involves editing, visual effects, sound design, and scoring – all essential elements to bring Shaneil Deo's debut directorial vision to its full, explosive potential. The new poster, which was released recently, offers an intense sneak peek, showing Sesh holding a gun with Mrunal Thakur by his side, both with serious expressions, perfectly encapsulating the romantic action thriller vibe.

With its compelling story, strong performances, and high production value, "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" is gearing up to be a memorable cinematic experience. Mark your calendars for March 19, 2026 – it's going to be an intense ride!

Frequently Asked Questions About Dacoit When is "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" releasing? The film is set to release worldwide on March 19, 2026, coinciding with the festivals of Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa. Who are the main stars of "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha"? The film stars Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur in the lead roles, with Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap playing a pivotal character. Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, and Zayn Marie Khan are also part of the cast. What is the plot of "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" about? It's a romantic action thriller about a wrongfully convicted man who escapes prison to seek vengeance on a woman who betrayed him, drawing her into a dangerous web of crime and betrayal as she tries to save her husband. In what languages will "Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha" be released? The film has been shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu and is expected to be released with dubbed versions in other languages to reach a pan-India audience. Sources

• Deadline: 'Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha' Annapurna Studios
• Filmfare: Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur’s Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha to Hit Theatres on Gudi Padwa and Eid Weekend
• DNA India: Bad news for Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Yash fans as Love & War and Toxic will now clash with...
• Republic World: Dacoit: Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur's Acitoner Postponed, Likely To Clash With Yash’s Toxic
• News18: Mrunal Thakur Starrer Dacoit Makers Drop Poster, Announce New Release Date
• Zoom TV Digital: Dacoit Premiere Date: Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur's Thriller Set to Compete With THIS Movie
• Cinema Express: Adivi Sesh-starrer Dacoit to arrive a week before Peddi and The Paradise