ZEE5 Kannada is gearing up to release its latest original web series ‘Shodha’, a psychological crime thriller that will premiere on the platform from August 29. Directed by Sunil Mysuru and produced by KRG Studios, the six-episode series features Pawan Kumar, Siri Ravikumar, Arun Sagar and Anusha Ranganath in pivotal roles.

At the heart of ‘Shodha’ lies the story of Rohit, played by Pawan Kumar, a sharp but morally ambiguous lawyer whose life takes a chilling turn when he shockingly fails to recognize his own wife. The series, according to the makers, blends suspense with layered character arcs, promising viewers a gripping psychological ride.

Speaking at a press meet in Bengaluru, Deepak Sriramulu, Business Head of ZEE5 Kannada, said the series marks an important step in the platform’s language-focused strategy.

“Earlier ZEE5 was one single OTT platform, but now we’ve started a language-specific OTT space – and that’s how Kannada ZEE5 began. We first experimented with mini-series and micro-series through the Bullet app. Our first original series Ayyana Mane got a great response, and that success has brought us to ‘Shodha’,” he said.

Sriramulu added that the platform has also begun collaborations with leading production houses like KRG Studios, PRK Productions, and Tarun Sudhir Productions. “‘Shodha’ is a special project – it shows the strength of Kannada storytelling and the potential of OTT as a platform for fresh talent,” he noted.

Sharing insights on the making of the series, Karthik Gowda of KRG Studios recalled how the idea took shape. “After the success of ‘Ayyana Mane’, director Pradeep suggested we explore a web series. We wanted fresh writing, so we brought in Suhas Navarathna, who had worked as a junior writer for ‘The Family Man’ seasons 2 and 3. Later, director Sunil Mysuru joined, and gradually the whole team came together. The trailer has already received encouraging feedback,” he said, adding that ‘Shodha’ will begin streaming on ZEE5 Kannada from August 29.

Actor Pawan Kumar expressed his excitement about exploring a layered role on an OTT platform. “I had earlier worked on web series concepts in Hindi, but when I suggested similar ideas in Kannada, they were often rejected. So when ZEE5 started producing Kannada originals, I was happy. They asked me to be part of ‘Shodha’. After hearing the story, I knew this role would give me space to experiment. OTT gives us the chance to tell different stories, and I hope ZEE5 becomes a big platform for many directors and writers. Shodha has given me that opportunity,” he said.

Written by Suhas Navarathna, ‘Shodha’ marks a collaborative effort between experienced filmmakers and emerging writers, setting out to expand the scope of Kannada storytelling in the digital space.