In a cluster of tribal villages near Dahod, a series of gruesome killings terrifies the community, who turn to Abhaysinh, a poultry farmer believed to carry an inherited mystical gift. As his hallucinations bleed into the investigation, the line between a human killer and something older begins to blur.
Most Gujarati films try to please you. Kadaknath tries to unsettle you, and that difference is the film. It is a village murder mystery told largely in the Bhili dialect, the first Bhili-language film to reach theatres, and it treats that strangeness as a strength.
In a cluster of tribal villages near Dahod, boys vanish and bodies surface, and the community leans on Abhaysinh, a poultry farmer believed to carry an inherited mystical gift. As his hallucinations bleed into the investigation, the line between a human killer and something older blurs. Abhinay Banker, a stage actor, anchors it with control rather than flash, which is why the dread lands. Denisha Ghumra convinces completely as an Adivasi woman, and Chetan Daiya adds weight without stealing scenes.
The craft is the surprise for a debut team. Sound design comes from Jikku M Joshi, who worked on Pushpa 1 and 2, and the score is load-bearing rather than decorative. The songs are woven into the tribal setting instead of interrupting it. The honest knocks: the second half stretches, the climax could have carried a sharper twist, and the dialect asks urban viewers to lean on subtitles. This is an A-rated slow burn with no comedy or action, so expectations matter.
Verdict
A rare swing Gujarati cinema needs more of. Forgive the saggy middle and it is one of the most distinctive Gujarati films in years, especially if you love Malayalam-style thrillers.
What works
- An original subject and world for Gujarati cinema
- Abhinay Banker's controlled, fully-inhabited lead
- Pro-grade sound design and a load-bearing score
- Raw texture that never feels fake
What holds it back
- Second half stretches and loses tension
- Climax could have carried a sharper twist
- Bhili dialect is a barrier for urban viewers
- No entertainment value for a mainstream crowd
Cast & crew
Writers: Kaushik Garasiya
Music: Kedar Upadhyay, Bhargav Purohit
Cast: Abhinay Banker (Abhaysinh), Denisha Ghumra (Sharda), Nisarg Trivedi (Nathubhai), Chetan Daiya (Inspector Pratap), Nirav Bhabhor (Nirav)
Producers: Vihang Rathod & Nirav Bhabhor (LensQueen Films)
Watch the trailer
Play the official trailer on YouTubeMore Crime Gujarati films
Frequently asked
Is Kadaknath worth watching?
A rare swing Gujarati cinema needs more of. Forgive the saggy middle and it is one of the most distinctive Gujarati films in years, especially if you love Malayalam-style thrillers. Kevu Che rates it 4 out of 5.
What is Kadaknath about?
In a cluster of tribal villages near Dahod, a series of gruesome killings terrifies the community, who turn to Abhaysinh, a poultry farmer believed to carry an inherited mystical gift. As his hallucinations bleed into the investigation, the line between a human killer and something older begins to blur.