{{short description|2026 film directed by Ramesh Desina}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Bad Boy Karthik | image = Bad Boy Karthik poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Ramesh Desina | screenplay = | story = | producer = {{plain list| * Srinivasa Rao Chinthlapudi * Vijaya Kumar Chinthalapudi * Dr. Ashok Kumar Chinthalapudi }} | starring = {{plain list| * Naga Shaurya * Vidhi Yadav * Samuthirakani }} | cinematography = Rasool Ellore | editing = Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao | music = Harris Jayaraj | studio = Sri Vaishnavi Films | distributor = Zee Studios | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2026|4|17}} | runtime = 141 minutes | country = India | language = Telugu | budget = | gross = }}
'''''Bad Boy Karthik''''' is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film written and directed by Ramesh Desina in his directorial debut.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nine South Indian Films Set to Premiere in Theaters This Week: Pallichattambi, Bengaluru Inn to Bad Boy Karthik, Oru Durooha Saahacharyathil |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/south/south-indian-movies-to-watch-in-theaters-article-154069777 |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Zoom TV |language=en}}</ref> The film stars Naga Shaurya, Vidhi Yadav and Samuthirakani.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sistu |first=Suhas |date=2026-03-27 |title=‘Bad Boy Karthik’ locks April 17 release |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/bad-boy-karthik-locks-april-17-release-1060172 |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=The Hans India |language=en}}</ref>
The film was tentatively titled ''NS24'', it is Shaurya's 24th film in a leading role. Later, the official film title was announced. The film was released on 17 April 2026. It was panned by critics and emerged as a box-office disaster.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-03-28 |title='Bad Boy Karthik' release date: Naga Shaurya’s action entertainer to hit theatres on April |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/bad-boy-karthik-release-date-naga-shauryas-action-entertainer-to-hit-theatres-on-april/articleshow/129859021.cms |access-date=2026-04-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
== Plot == {{Expand section|April 2026|date=April 2026}} Karthik, a rebellious troublemaker, finds himself in a violent clash with a group of local criminals. Meanwhile, he must confront the gang to ensure the safety of his family.
== Cast == {{Cast listing| * Naga Shaurya as Karthik * Vidhi Yadav as Meera * Samuthirakani as Varadha Reddy * Naresh as Shiva * Saikumar as Prakash * Vennela Kishore as Sidappa * Sridevi Vijayakumar as Kasturi * Ajay as Kasturi's husband * Mime Gopi as Govindappa, Karthik's father * Brahmaji as Arilova Seenu * Krishnudu * Chammak Chandra * Vamsi Raghava Yenumula as IAS Officer * Mahaboob Basha * Satish Saripalli as Lawyer * Sneha Gupta (special appearance in the song "America Nundi Vacchaanu") }} == Production ==
== Music == The film's music was composed by Harris Jayaraj.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-28 |title=Naga Shaurya’s Bad Boy Karthik wins hearts with ‘My Dear Janatha’ |url=https://telanganatoday.com/naga-shauryas-bad-boy-karthik-wins-hearts-with-my-dear-janatha |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Telangana Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-12-04 |title=‘Pommante’ song out now; Emotional ode to sibling love, Naga Shaurya shines in 'Bad Boy Karthik' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/pommante-song-out-now-emotional-ode-to-sibling-love-naga-shaurya-shines-in-bad-boy-karthik/articleshow/125768320.cms |access-date=2026-04-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The audio rights were acquired by T Series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-07-17 |title=Naga Shaurya’s Bad Boy Karthik audio bagged by this label |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Jul/17/naga-shauryas-bad-boy-karthik-audio-bagged-by-this-label |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> {{Infobox album | name = Bad Boy Karthik | image = | type = Soundtrack | artist = Harris Jayaraj | alt = | released = 2026 | recorded = 2025 | venue = | studio = Annapurna Studios | genre = Soundtrack | length = 21:55 | label = T-Series | producer = Harris Jayaraj | prev_title = Kadhal Reset Repeat | prev_year = 2026 | year = 2026 | next_title = | next_year = }}
{{Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | headline = Track listing | title1 = My Dear Janathaa | extra1 = Hemachandra | lyrics1 = Ramajogayya Sastry | length1 = 3:34 | title2 = Andhamaina Figaru Nuvvaa | extra2 = Sridhar Sena, Priya Jerson | lyrics2 = Krishna Kanth | length2 = 4:22 | title3 = Naa Maava Pillanitthaanannade | extra3 = N. C. Karunya, Haripriya | lyrics3 = Kasarla Shyam | length3 = 3:23 | title4 = Pommante | extra4 = Vijay Yesudas, Shakthisree Gopalan | lyrics4 = Chandrabose | length4 = 5:02 | title5 = America Nundi Vacchaanu | extra5 = Chandana Bala Kalyan, Gold Devaraj | lyrics5 = Chandrabose | length5 = 3:24 | total_length = }}
== Release == ''Bad Boy Karthik'' was released on 17 April 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-07 |title=Naga Shaurya in a mass avatar, Bad Boy Karthik trailer unveiled |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2026/Apr/07/naga-shaurya-in-a-mass-avatar-bad-boy-karthik-trailer-unveiled |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> The film was distributed by Zee Studios.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-27 |title=Zee Studios Releasing Bad Boy Karthik Worldwide on April 17th |url=https://www.telugutimes.net/en/cinemas/cinema-news/zee-studios-releasing-bad-boy-karthik-worldwide-on-april-17th-341969.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502024817/https://www.telugutimes.net/en/cinemas/cinema-news/zee-studios-releasing-bad-boy-karthik-worldwide-on-april-17th-341969.html |archive-date=2026-05-02 |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=telugutimes.net |language=en}}</ref>
== Reception == ''Bad Boy Karthik'' received negative reviews from critics.
Shreya Varanasi of ''The Times of India'' rated the film 2 out of 5 and wrote that, "''Bad Boy Karthik'' feels like something you’ve seen many times before".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varanasi |first=Shreya |date=17 April 2026 |title=Bad Boy Karthik Movie Review: Routine screenplay keeps this action drama from taking off |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/bad-boy-karthik/movie-review/130354113.cms |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> A crtic of ''Telugucinema.com'' rated it 1.75 out 5 and called it a "bad film from start to finish".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-17 |title=Bad Boy Karthik Review: A tired formula that fails completely - Telugu Cinema {{!}} News, Reviews & Daily Entertainment |url=https://telugucinema.com/reviews/bad-boy-karthik-review-a-tired-formula-that-fails-completely |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Telugucinema.com |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Sakshi Post'' rated it 1.5 out of 5 called it "disappointing and outdated" due to weak writing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-17 |title=Bad Boy Karthik Review and Rating |url=https://www.sakshipost.com/news/entertainment/bad-boy-karthik-review-and-rating-478847 |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=Sakshi Post |language=en}}</ref> Satya Pulagam of ''ABP Desam'' rated it 1 out of 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pulagam |first=Satya |date=2026-04-17 |title='బ్యాడ్ బాయ్ కార్తీక్' రివ్యూ: బాబోయ్... మరీ అంత బ్యాడా? నాగశౌర్య సినిమాను చూడలేమా? |url=https://telugu.abplive.com/movie-review/entertainment/movie-review-bad-boy-karthik-review-in-telugu-starring-naga-shaurya-sridevi-vijaykumar-samuthirakani-action-drama-critics-review-rating-244596 |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=ABP Desam |language=te}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title}}
Category:2026 action comedy films Category:2026 directorial debut films Category:2026 films Category:2026 Indian films Category:2026 Telugu-language films Category:Films scored by Harris Jayaraj Category:Films set in Visakhapatnam Category:Films shot at Ramoji Film City Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India Category:Films shot in Visakhapatnam Category:Indian action comedy films Category:Telugu-language action comedy films