Dark is a 2026 Indian Tamil-language horror film written and directed by debutant Kalyan K. Jegan, from a story by co-producer Ganesh K. Babu. The film stars Ajay Karthi in the lead role alongside Anchana Nethrun, Natty Subramaniam, and K. Bhagyaraj amongst others. The music was composed by Manu Ramesan, cinematography was handled by Ravi Sakthi and editing by Kathiresan Alagesan. The film was released on 3 July 2026 and was not a box office success.
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Plot
Vignesh, a young graphic designer/assistant director looking for accommodation closer to his workplace, moves into a house owned by Karunakaran. The house is available at a low rent because it has a disturbing history. Years earlier, three young men who lived there were involved in a horrific incident in which one killed the other two and then set himself on fire. After that, the house became known as a haunted place.
Vignesh initially ignores the house's reputation and moves in. Soon, however, he begins experiencing strange and frightening incidents inside the house—disturbances, unusual dreams and other supernatural occurrences. At the same time, Karunakaran's daughter Priyadarshini gives him hints about the house's previous occupants and its dark past.
As the supernatural incidents become more serious and a death occurs, police officer Balachander begins investigating what is happening around the house. Vignesh is gradually forced to confront the possibility that the events are not simply psychological or coincidental and that the house's past is connected to what he is experiencing.
The story eventually brings Vignesh face-to-face with the supernatural history of the house, while the investigation attempts to uncover what really happened there.
Cast
Ajay Karthi as Vignesh
Anchana Nethrun as Priyadarshini
Natty Subramaniam as Balachander
K. Bhagyaraj as Karunakaran
Sibi Chakravarthy
VTV Ganesh
Aravind
Shahul
Naren
Production
Dark is the directorial debut of Kalyan K. Jegan and the first film of Ajay Karthi as hero. It was shot prominently in Chennai. Ganesh K. Babu, the film's story writer, also co-produced the film. He said that while writing the story he drew inspiration from his experiences as a reporter in a crime series on a private television channel. This was one of the last films of Bhagyaraj, who died a week before the film's release. Cinematography was handled by Ravi Sakthi, and editing by Kathiresan Alagesan.
Music
The music was composed by Manu Ramesan. Two songs, "Irulenbathu" and "Adakuna Adakuna" were released as singles, in April 2025 and June 2026 respectively.
Release and reception
Dark was released on 3 July 2026. Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India wrote, "Dark has just enough atmosphere to get under your skin and just enough incoherence to leave you wondering what it all amounted to". The film was also reviewed by Dina Thanthi, Dinamalar, Kalki Online and Nakkheeran.
