The trailer of the upcoming Kannada original series Jerax has been unveiled, generating significant buzz for its unusual premise and compelling ensemble cast. The six-episode fantasy comedy thriller will stream on ZEE5, marking another ambitious regional offering from the platform. Produced by actor Dhananjaya under Daali Pictures and written and directed by Srinidhi Bengaluru, Jerax brings together a strong mix of seasoned performers. The series stars Nagabhushana in the lead, alongside Payal Chengappa, Manju Pavagada, Om Prakash Rao, Srivatsa, Yashwanth Shetty, Vijaya Prasad, Thukali Santhu, Jagappa, Siddu Mandya, and Sudhakar Gowda. Set in the town of Rayadurga, the story follows Prakasha, a largely unnoticed xerox shop worker whose life takes a surreal turn when a mysterious Thayitha merges with his ageing copying machine. What begins as a bizarre anomaly soon spirals into chaos as the machine starts producing living duplicates—copies that walk, speak, and remember. As identical faces emerge across the town, Rayadurga begins to unravel socially, politically, and emotionally, with Prakasha at the centre of a phenomenon he can no longer control. Speaking about the project, producer Dhananjaya said the story stood out for its deeper philosophical undertones. “A xerox machine that prints humans sounds outrageous, but the emotional truth beneath it is painfully real. It explores what happens when people refuse to confront their own shadows,” he noted, adding that the series delves into themes of loneliness, power, guilt, and moral conflict. Director Srinidhi Bengaluru described the series as an exploration of identity and suppressed truths. “What if the version of you that you try to hide suddenly stood in front of you? The duplicates are not monsters; they are reflections,” he said. He added that the intent was to make the fantasy feel like an intrusion into everyday life, where reality becomes impossible to ignore. Lead actor Nagabhushana highlighted the complexity of his character, calling Prakasha a man shaped by invisibility and transformation. “He is not evil, but he becomes dangerous. He is not powerful, but he becomes responsible for overwhelming consequences,” he said, describing the role as both haunting and deeply human. With its intriguing narrative, layered characters, and genre-bending storytelling, Jerax is poised to offer a distinctive viewing experience when it premieres on ZEE5.
