Moviesda dives into the world of “King of Kotha,” a Malayalam gangster drama starring Dulquer Salmaan. The film follows Tony (Salmaan), the son of a notorious gangster, Ravi (Asif Ali) who chooses a different path in life. However, when circumstances force him to return to Kotha, his past life comes knocking on his door.
A Familiar Premise with Style
Moviesda acknowledges that “King of Kotha” doesn’t break new ground in terms of its narrative. The story of a prodigal son returning to his troubled hometown has been explored in various forms. However, the film compensates with its visual style. Director Abhilash Joshiy creates a world that is both gritty and visually captivating, with stunning cinematography and use of color.
Salmaan Shines, But Narrative Stumbles
Moviesda commends Dulquer Salmaan’s performance as Tony. He effectively portrays the character’s internal conflict and transformation, making viewers invested in his journey. The supporting cast, including Asif Ali and Gouri Nandakumar, also deliver commendable performances.
However, Moviesda can’t ignore the film’s drawbacks. The narrative pacing can be sluggish at times, and the film occasionally relies on familiar tropes and melodramatic moments. Additionally, the climax might feel underwhelming for some viewers.
Final Verdict
Moviesda believes “King of Kotha” is a visually engaging film with a compelling central performance from Dulquer Salmaan. While the narrative might not offer much novelty, the film’s style and strong performances might appeal to fans of the genre.
Recommendation
If you’re looking for a stylish gangster drama with good performances, then “King of Kotha” might be worth a watch. However, if you’re expecting a groundbreaking story or a more tightly paced narrative, Moviesda suggests exploring other options.
The cast of “King of Kotha” includes
- Dulquer Salmaan as Kotha Raju / Raju Madrassi/ Apple Raju
- Aishwarya Lekshmi as Tara, Raju’s girlfriend
- Gokul Suresh as SI Tony Titus
- Chemban Vinod Jose as Ranjith Bhai
- Shammi Thilakan as Kotha Ravi, Raju’s and Rithu’s father
- Anikha Surendran as Rithu / Ponnu, Raju’s Sister
- Shanthi Krishna as Malathi, Raju’s and Rithu’s Mother
- Nyla Usha as Manju, Kannan’s wife and Ranjith’s mistress
- Shabeer Kallarakkal as Kannan / Kannan Bhai
- Prasanna as CI Shahul Hassan
- Saran Shakthi as Jinu, Manju’s Brother
- Sudhi Koppa as Rafi
- Senthil Krishna as Kaalan
- T. G. Ravi as Vareeth, Ravi’s Friend
- Rajesh Sharma as Billa
- Srikant Murali -father of Tara
The Collection of “King of Khtha”
- Total box office collection: ₹15.35 crore (approximately $1.8 million)
- Domestic collection: ₹14.5 crore (approximately $1.7 million)
- Overseas collection: ₹1.85 crore (approximately $0.2 million)
These figures are significantly lower than the film’s estimated budget of ₹50 crore (approximately $6 million), highlighting its financial underperformance.
