Pawan Kumar, the acclaimed Kannada filmmaker known for his work in movies like Lucia, U-Turn, and Dhoomam, is set to star in his first web series as a lead actor in Shodha. This suspense thriller is scheduled to premiere on ZEE5 on August 22, 2025. The trailer, which was released on August 13, 2025, at 7 PM, offers a glimpse into the world of mystery and tension that the series promises.

Shodha is directed by Sunil Mysooru, known for Orchestra, Mysuru, and written by Suhas Navarathna, who is also credited as the creator of Kyaabre and has been part of the writing team for The Family Man (Seasons 2 and 3). The series is produced by KRG Studios, marking their foray into web series production after a successful run in film production and distribution.

The six-episode series features Pawan Kumar in the lead role as Rohith, with Siri Ravikumar as Meera, along with a strong supporting cast including Arun Sagar, Shwetha Prasad, and Anusha Ranganath. Arjun Ramu has composed the music, and Rahul Roy is the Director of Photography.

The series is set in Madikeri, Coorg, and revolves around the mystery that befalls the lead couple, Rohith and Meera. The trailer hints at a mystery surrounding the identity of Rohith's wife, Meera, with Rohith claiming that the woman the police found after a fatal accident is an imposter. The series explores a gripping narrative filled with drama, suspense, and emotionally charged moments.

Pawan Kumar's decision to take on a full-fledged lead role in Shodha marks a new chapter in his career. He has been known for crafting distinctive and thought-provoking stories. Regarding this transition, Pawan shared that acting in Shodha was a completely new journey for him, challenging him to explore emotions in a new way. He also served as a script doctor for the series, enhancing its psychological depth.

Shodha is ZEE5's second original Kannada web series, following Ayyana Mane. Karthik Gowda of KRG Studios mentioned that Shodha is designed as a series of mini-episodes, catering to the Kannada audience's long-awaited desire for quality web content. The series aims to contribute to the growing wave of Kannada originals making a mark on the OTT landscape.

With its premiere date approaching, Shodha is already generating buzz as one of the most anticipated Kannada OTT releases of the year. The series will be available on ZEE5 and OTTplay Premium.