Kannada actor Viraat, who made his debut in the 2019 film Kiss alongside Sreeleela, returned to the screen five years later with his second film, as part of a five-film agreement with the esteemed production and distribution company, Jayanna Films. Titled Royal, the film was helmed by Dinakar Thoogudeepa, marking his return to directing after the 2018 release Life Jothe Ond Selfie, and featured Viraat opposite Sanjana Anand. Premiering in theatres on January 24, Royal garnered average reviews and did not perform well commercially.

Royal streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Royal has emerged as the second Kannada film of 2025 to commence streaming as of March 7. The film is presently available on Amazon Prime Video on a pay-per-view basis. This platform continues to be one of the few that accommodates Kannada content, albeit without offering outright purchase options.

Royal is a project that Dinakar undertook due to his intended collaboration with Jayanna Films on a film featuring the late Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar. However, as that project did not materialize and he had an obligation to the production house, he was asked to direct a film for Viraat. The director, known for selecting actors based on the needs of the script, viewed this as an opportunity to rise to the challenge. He crafted a narrative that would be fitting for Viraat, incorporating sufficient commercial elements to enhance his career without excessive embellishment.

Dinakar's objective was straightforward: to transform Viraat into a star. However, the result was a film that was criticized for being a hodgepodge of numerous classic Kannada films, ultimately lacking a distinct identity. Raghu Mukherjee was selected for the role of the antagonist, while Achyuth Kumar portrayed Viraat's father and Chaya Singh took on the role of his mother.

In the film, Viraat portrays Krishna, a con artist who learns that he is the only heir to a vast business empire. Dinakar described the film as a commercial entertainer centred on the dynamics of a mother-son relationship. During the promotional activities for Royal, the discussions predominantly focused on the filmmaker's relationship with his brother, Darshan Thoogudeepa, and their formative years, rather than on the film's qualities.

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