Impersonation (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Impersonation, also known as Pratiroopa, is a 29-minute Kannada documentary about Jaishri Raju, a look-alike artist who has portrayed Dr. Vishnuvardhan for more than two decades. The film connects his work with the rural orchestra and company theatre traditions of Karnataka.

Impersonation, released under the original title Pratiroopa, is a 2026 Kannada documentary centered on Jaishri Raju, a look-alike artist whose livelihood has been shaped by his long association with Dr. Vishnuvardhan’s public image.

Directed by Tejesh Kiran, the 29-minute film looks beyond imitation as a performance. It also places Raju’s work within the broader culture of rural orchestra and company theatre in Karnataka.

Impersonation movie details

Story without spoilers

The documentary follows Jaishri Raju’s life as an impersonator of Dr. Vishnuvardhan, a role he has performed for more than two decades. His work involves recreating the star’s recognizable moments and songs for audiences, helping preserve a connection between fans and a beloved screen presence.

Alongside Raju’s personal journey, the film considers the cultural setting that makes this kind of performance possible. Its focus extends to Karnataka’s rural orchestra and company theatre communities, offering a portrait of entertainment traditions built around live performance and audience familiarity.

What to expect

Impersonation is a compact documentary with a focused subject and a clear cultural context. Viewers can expect an examination of celebrity impersonation, the relationship between an artist and the audience he entertains, and the ways regional performance traditions sustain connections with popular figures.

With a runtime of 29 minutes, the film presents its subject in a short-form documentary format rather than as a feature-length account. The supplied synopsis emphasizes Jaishri Raju’s career, Dr. Vishnuvardhan’s continuing presence in fan culture, and Karnataka’s rural entertainment circuits.

Cast and creative team

Impersonation is directed by Tejesh Kiran. The supplied credits do not list writers or cast members, while Jaishri Raju is the documentary’s central real-life subject.

Release and production context

Impersonation, titled Pratiroopa in its original language, is a 2026 documentary spoken in Kannada. It has a listed release date of November 4, 2026, a runtime of 29 minutes, and a status of Released. No country or production company is specified in the supplied details.

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By focusing on one performer’s long commitment to portraying Dr. Vishnuvardhan, Impersonation connects personal livelihood with a wider regional performance culture. Its short runtime and documentary format make it a focused portrait of impersonation, fandom and live entertainment traditions in Karnataka.

Film data:
TMDB