TimDuncan875676 at 13:05, 8 March 2026

2026-03-08T13:05:08Z

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{{Unreliable sources|date=November 2024}}
{{No plot|date=February 2025}}
{{short description|Indian thriller drama film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Grey Games
| image = Grey Games poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Gangadhar Salimath
| producer = Anand H. Mugad
| writer = Gangadhar Salimath
| story = Anand H. Mugad
| starring = {{plainlist|* [[Vijay Raghavendra]]
* Shruti Prakash
* [[Bhavana Rao]]
* [[Aparna Vastarey]]
* Ravi Bhat
* Ishita Singh
* Jai
}}
| music = {{Ubl
| '''Songs''':
| Shriyansh Shreeram
| Ashwin Hemanth
| Atrangi Funkaar
| '''Score''':
| Ashwin Hemanth
}}
| cinematography = Varun DK
| editing = Jagadeesh N
| studio = Dees Films
| distributor =
| released = {{film date|2024|5|10|df=yes}}
| runtime = 130 minutes<ref name=":BMR" />
| country = India
| language = Kannada
| budget = 
| gross =
}}
'''''Grey Games''''' is a 2024 Indian [[Kannada]]-language [[thriller drama]] film written and directed by Gangadhar Salimath. The film stars [[Vijay Raghavendra]], Shruti Prakash, [[Bhavana Rao]], [[Aparna Vastarey]], Ravi Bhat, Ishita Singh, and Jai.<ref name=":BMR" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A. |title=Grey Games teaser is out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2023/Apr/01/grey-games-teaser-is-out-41787.html |work=Cinema Express |date=10 April 2023 |language=en |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194328/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/kannada/news/2023/Apr/01/grey-games-teaser-is-out-41787.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Cast ==
* [[Vijay Raghavendra]] as Ram
* Shruti Prakash as Shanaya
* [[Bhavana Rao]] as Kalpana
* [[Aparna Vastarey]] as Tara, Abhi's mother
* Ravi Bhat as Sridhar, Abhi's father
* Ishita Singh as Julie
* Jai as Abhi

== Production ==
=== Development ===
Anand H. Mugad conceived the story, exploring the notion of a gamer entering a [[virtual world]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gaming industry revenue far outweighs that of the film industry: Director Gangadhar Salimath |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2024/May/06/gaming-industry-revenue-far-outweighs-that-of-the-film-industry-director-gangadhar-salimath |work=The New Indian Express |date=11 May 2024 |language=en |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=12 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512061608/https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/kannada/2024/May/06/gaming-industry-revenue-far-outweighs-that-of-the-film-industry-director-gangadhar-salimath |url-status=live}}</ref> This concept evolved into ''Grey Games'', which director Gangadhar Salimath further developed into a narrative, incorporating real-life incidents, including a notable case in [[Mangalore]] where a young boy killed his online gaming rival.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vijay Raghavendra to play cop yet again; this time in film set in Madikeri |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/vijay-raghavendra-to-play-cop-yet-again-this-time-in-film-set-in-madikeri/68ce7b64fe305 |work=ottplay.com |date=25 October 2021 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194318/https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/vijay-raghavendra-to-play-cop-yet-again-this-time-in-film-set-in-madikeri/68ce7b64fe305 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":OTTp1" /> Anand H. Mugad produced the film under the banner of Dees Films.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vijay Raghavendra's next to be on cybercrime |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2021/Oct/11/vijay-raghavendras-next-to-be-on-cybercrime-2370092.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=4 October 2021 |language=en |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194346/https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/opinions/2024/Oct/03/they-didnt-start-the-fire-and-seem-unable-to-douse-it |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A glitzy trailer launch for Kannada film Grey Games |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/a-glitzy-trailer-launch-for-kannada-film-grey-games/articleshow/109857645.cms |work=The Times of India |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506222421/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/a-glitzy-trailer-launch-for-kannada-film-grey-games/amp_articleshow/109857645.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2021, the film was announced,<ref>{{cite news |title=Vijay Raghavendra is a high-profile psychologist in his first thriller |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vijay-raghavendra-is-a-high-profile-psychologist-in-his-first-thriller/articleshow/85344727.cms |work=The Times of India |date=16 August 2021 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194236/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vijay-raghavendra-is-a-high-profile-psychologist-in-his-first-thriller/amp_articleshow/85344727.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> featuring [[Vijay Raghavendra]] as Ram,<ref name=":TOI1">{{cite news |title=Grey Games takes a closer look at the side effects of online gaming: Bhavvana Rao, Vijay Raghavendra and Shruti Prakash |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/grey-games-takes-a-closer-look-at-the-side-effects-of-online-gaming-bhavvana-menon-vijay-raghavendra-and-shruti-prakash/articleshow/109886622.cms |work=The Times of India |date=7 May 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194236/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/grey-games-takes-a-closer-look-at-the-side-effects-of-online-gaming-bhavvana-menon-vijay-raghavendra-and-shruti-prakash/amp_articleshow/109886622.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> a psychologist.<ref>{{cite news |title=I dedicate my film's entry into IFFI to my late wife Spandana: Vijay Raghavendra |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-dedicate-my-films-entry-into-iffi-to-my-late-wife-spandana-vijay-raghavendra/articleshow/105449181.cms |work=The Times of India |date=24 November 2023 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194237/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-dedicate-my-films-entry-into-iffi-to-my-late-wife-spandana-vijay-raghavendra/amp_articleshow/105449181.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vijay Raghavendra to play cop for 3rd time, but says it's different |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vijay-raghavendra-to-play-cop-for-3rd-time-but-says-its-different/articleshow/87238597.cms |work=The Times of India |date=25 October 2021 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194341/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vijay-raghavendra-to-play-cop-for-3rd-time-but-says-its-different/amp_articleshow/87238597.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> Vijay's nephew, Jai, was cast as a twenty-year-old gamer, marking his acting debut.<ref name=":BM1">{{cite news |title='Happy to act with nephew' - Bangalore Mirror |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/happy-to-act-with-nephew/articleshow/109736267.cms |work=The Times of India |date=1 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Grey Games for all categories of audiences: Anand H Mugad - Bangalore Mirror |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/grey-games-for-all-categories-of-audiences-anand-h-mugad/articleshow/109988170.cms |work=The Times of India |date=10 May 2024}}</ref> The film also stars Shruti Prakash as Shanaya, a film actress,<ref name=":CE1">{{cite news |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A. |title=A closer look at strong female characters in Grey Games |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/interviews/2024/May/08/a-closer-look-at-strong-female-characters-in-grey-games |work=Cinema Express |date=10 May 2024 |language=en |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514135848/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/kannada/interviews/2024/May/08/a-closer-look-at-strong-female-characters-in-grey-games |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kannada Bigg Boss Fame Shruti Prakash Starts Her Bollywood Journey With Vikram Bhat's Haunted 2 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/kannada/kannada-bigg-boss-fame-shruti-prakash-starts-her-bollywood-journey-with-vikram-bhats-haunted-2-article-109974126/amp |work=Times Now |date=9 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> and [[Bhavana Rao]] as Kalpana, a cybercrime investigation officer.<ref name=":TOI1" /> Additionally, television presenter [[Aparna Vastarey]] plays the role of the mother.<ref name=":CE1" />

=== Filming ===
The film's title was unveiled on 8 October 2021, with a [[muhurat shot]] pooja ceremony.<ref name=":OTTp1">{{cite news |title=Exclusive! Bhavvana Rao is a cybercrime officer in film with Vijay Raghavendra, called Grey Games |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/exclusive-bhavvana-rao-is-a-cybercrime-officer-in-film-with-vijay-raghavendra-called-grey-games/73d5a6ff41830 |work=ottplay.com |date=8 October 2021 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194239/https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/exclusive-bhavvana-rao-is-a-cybercrime-officer-in-film-with-vijay-raghavendra-called-grey-games/73d5a6ff41830 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was primarily shot in [[Bangalore]]. The film's gaming sequences were created using [[Epic Games]]' [[Unreal Engine]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Grey Games is a thriller set in the metaverse, says director Gangadhar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/grey-games-is-a-thriller-set-in-the-metaverse-says-director-gangadhar/articleshow/109814733.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |first=Vinay |last=Lokesh |date=4 May 2024 |accessdate=22 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Grey Games highlights the thin line between reality and the virtual world: Anand |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/grey-games-highlights-the-thin-line-between-reality-and-the-virtual-world-anand/articleshow/109978760.cms |work=The Times of India |date=10 May 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=30 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530135647/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/grey-games-highlights-the-thin-line-between-reality-and-the-virtual-world-anand/amp_articleshow/109978760.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> The film received a U/A certificate from the [[Central Board of Film Certification]].<ref name=":BM1" />

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Grey Games
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = Shriyansh Shreeram, Ashwin Hemanth, Atrangi Funkaar<br />'''Score:'''<br />Ashwin Hemanth
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2024
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length = 14:50
| language = Kannada
| label = Anand Audio
| producer =
| chronology =
| prev_title =
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{external music video| header = Video Songs Jukebox
|{{YouTube|CxkO00DJfL8|Grey Games – Video Songs Jukebox}}}}
}}

The soundtrack consists of the songs composed by Shriyansh Shreeram, Ashwin Hemanth and Atrangi Funkaar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grey Games - All Songs - Download or Listen Free - JioSaavn |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/grey-games/NTU,PUuYTu4_ |website=[[JioSaavn]] |access-date=3 October 2024 |date=6 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Grey Games Songs Download: Play & Listen |url=https://gaana.com/album/grey-games |website=[[Gaana (music streaming service)|Gaana]] |access-date=3 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Paravasha
| length1 = 4:14
| lyrics1 = Kiran Kaverappa
| extra1 = Pancham Jeeva
| title2 = Manaselede (Male Version)
| length2 = 3:57
| lyrics2 = Kiran Kaverappa
| extra2 = Pancham Jeeva
| title3 = Ramma
| length3 = 2:38
| lyrics3 = Brrithheve, Gangadhar Salimath
| extra3 = Ashwin, Brrithheve
| title4 = Manaselede (Female Version)
| length4 = 4:01
| lyrics4 = Kiran Kaverappa
| extra4 = Aishwarya Rangarajan
| total_length = 14:50
}}

== Release ==
The film was released theatrically on 10 May 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Kannada movies releasing in theatres this week [May 10, 2024] |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/new-kannada-movies-releasing-in-theatres-this-week/a7422fba9a169 |work=OTTPlay |date=6 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== Reception ==
Jagadish Angadi of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' rated the film three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "The flick raises questions about individual perception of contexts and moral concepts of being right and wrong. Vijay Raghavendra delivers a stellar performance. Aparna Vastarey takes on a powerful role and is absolutely convincing."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Angadi |first1=Jagadish |title='Grey Games' movie review: Despite flaws, this psychological thriller manages to entertain |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/grey-games-movie-review-despite-flaws-this-psychological-thriller-manages-to-entertain-3017983 |work=Deccan Herald |date=10 May 2024 |language=en |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194757/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/grey-games-movie-review-despite-flaws-this-psychological-thriller-manages-to-entertain-3017983 |url-status=live}}</ref> Shashiprasad SM of ''[[Times Now]]'' gave it three out of five stars and wrote, "Every game ends with a winner and a loser. This game -- ''Grey Games''-- wins in the end for its good content despite having its own share of ups and downs."<ref>{{cite news |title=Grey Games Review: Sensibly Depicts The Grey Side Of Online Gaming! |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/kannada/grey-games-review-sensibly-depicts-the-grey-side-of-online-gaming-review-109994857/amp |work=Times Now |date=10 May 2024 |language=en |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=15 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515143454/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/kannada/grey-games-review-sensibly-depicts-the-grey-side-of-online-gaming-review-109994857/amp |url-status=live}}</ref> Y Maheswara Reddy of ''[[Bangalore Mirror]]'' gave it three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "The movie is worth a watch for all those who enjoy gripping narratives."<ref name=":BMR">{{cite news |last1=Y |first1=Maheswara Reddy |title=Kannada Movie Review-Grey Games: Caught in a web of online gaming |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/kannada-movie-review-grey-games-caught-in-a-web-of-online-gaming/articleshow/110018044.cms |work=Bangalore Mirror |date=11 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

Pramod Mohan Hegde of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave it three out of five stars and wrote, "''Grey Games'' is a unique attempt, at least for Kannada cinema, and the thriller-genre film manages to keep the audience hooked to the screen, sans a few scenes. The movie could have been shortened by 15 minutes to make it a bit more interesting."<ref>{{cite news |title=Grey Games Movie Review : Grey games review: A game of revenge set in the world of love |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/grey-games/movie-review/110004514.cms |work=The Times of India |date=10 May 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523035847/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/grey-games/movie-review/110004514.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> Sunayana Suresh of ''The South First'' rated the film two-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "Grey Games had the potential to be something new and different in the cinemascope, given it deals with cyber crimes that aren’t often spoken about on screen. But the old-school treatment of the plot does not work. But, some of the performances of the lead actors make it a tolerable watch."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Suresh |first1=Sunayana |title=Grey Games review: This gaming and metaverse-based thriller is a bland fare |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/grey-games-kannada-movie-review/ |work=The South First |date=10 May 2024 |language=en |access-date=3 October 2024 |archive-date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830114525/https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/grey-games-kannada-movie-review/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|tt15654332}}

[[Category:2024 Indian films]]
[[Category:2024 Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:2024 thriller films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Indian thriller films]]

Grey Games - Revision history

TimDuncan875676 at 13:05, 8 March 2026