Psychological Thriller ‘Vikalpa’ Trailer Unveiled; Film Set for January 30 Release

The trailer of the upcoming Kannada psychological thriller ‘Vikalpa’ has been officially released, further heightening expectations around the film that has already generated curiosity through its title, teaser, and songs. Rooted in the theme of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Vikalpa explores the fragile boundary between illusion and reality, positioning itself as a thought-provoking entrant in the genre. Produced under the banner Suroos Talkies, Vikalpa marks the first production venture of Indira Shivaswamy. Young talent Prithviraj Patil takes on multiple responsibilities as the story writer, screenplay writer, director, and lead actor, making the project a significant personal milestone. The film features an ensemble cast including Nagashree Hebbar, Harini Srikanth, Sandhya Vinayak, Ganapathi Vaddinagadde, Swaroop Bacch, Pooja Bacch, Jayanth David, Dr. Prakruti, Master Ayush Santosh, and Girish Hegde, among others.

Jayatheertha Applauds New Talent

The trailer was unveiled by acclaimed Kannada filmmaker Jayatheertha, who praised the team’s sincerity and commitment. Addressing the media, he said, “It is truly heartening to see new talents entering Kannada cinema. Fresh filmmakers bring new ideas and perspectives, which are essential for the industry’s vitality. I was not personally acquainted with anyone from the Vikalpa team earlier, but their honest attempt to create a strong, content-driven film impressed me. The trailer, teaser, songs, and overall making instil confidence. I wish the team great success.”

A Deep Dive into the Human Mind

Speaking after the trailer launch, Prithviraj Patil elaborated on the film’s core theme. “Vikalpa is a psychological thriller based on PTSD. The film portrays the conflict between illusion and reality within a person’s mind. With scientific grounding and expert consultation, we have carefully designed the characters and situations. The suppressed emotions, inner turmoil, and psychological disturbances of the human mind are brought to the screen in a gripping manner,” he said.

Strong Female Performances

Lead actress Nagashree Hebbar, who makes her film debut after a theatre background, expressed confidence in the project. “I play a character named Samudyata—someone who carries deep emotional conflicts within but remains outwardly composed. I have strong expectations from both the film and my role. The response so far has been encouraging, and I believe audiences will connect with Vikalpa,” she said. Actress Harini Srikant, active in both television and cinema, appears in the role of a psychologist. She described the film as a refreshing experience.
“Despite most of the team being newcomers, the professionalism is commendable. Every scene has been crafted with great precision. Films like Vikalpa will definitely appeal to Kannada audiences who appreciate meaningful cinema. New voices like these deserve wholehearted support,” she noted.

Technical Strength and Expansive Locations

The film has been extensively shot across Bengaluru, Thirthahalli, Sagara, Sirsi, Kundapura, and Yellapur, with additional schedules completed in Singapore and the Netherlands, lending the narrative a global visual canvas. Mithun Thirthahalli serves as co-director, while Abhiram Gowda handles cinematography and Suresh Armugam is in charge of editing. Music is composed by Samvatsara, with lyrics penned by Prithviraj Patil and Kaundinya Kudluthota. Playback singers include Siddharth Belmannu, Samvatsara, Shreeranjini, and Inchara. Following the positive response to its teaser and songs, the newly released trailer has also been receiving encouraging reactions across social media platforms. Riding on this momentum, the makers have confirmed that ‘Vikalpa’ will hit theatres on January 30. With its rare psychological-thriller premise, layered writing, and strong focus on mental health, Vikalpa promises a gripping and immersive cinematic experience for Kannada audiences.