Starring: Dulquer Salmaan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Dancing Rose Shabeer, Prasanna, Nyla Usha, Anika Surendran, Chemban Vinod, Gokul Suresh, Shanthi Krishna
Director: Abhilash Joshiy
Producers: Wayfarer Films & Zee Studios
Music Directors: Jakes Bejoy, Shaan Rahman
“Dulquer Salmaan has emerged as a PAN India star with his recent films, and now he has come up with the gangster action drama King Of Kotha. The movie, directed by Abhilash Joshiy, boasts a cast including Dancing Rose Shabeer, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Prasanna, Nyla Usha, Anika Surendran, and Chemban Vinod in crucial roles. The movie hit the screens today, and let’s see how it is.”
Story:
“King Of Kotha revolves around Khanna Bhai (Dancing Rose Shabeer), a powerful drug lord in Kotha town. C.I. Shahul Haasan (Prasanna) attempts to dismantle the drug mafia but faces failure. Shahul learns that Kotha was once under the control of Raju (Dulquer Salmaan), who had a close association with Khanna Bhai. However, Raju and Khanna Bhai’s relationship soured due to undisclosed reasons. The film delves into their separation and Shahul’s subsequent actions.”
Plus Points:
“Undoubtedly, the film belongs to Dulquer Salmaan who effortlessly breathes life into his character Raju. His portrayal as someone determined to eliminate the drug mafia is commendable, and he handles the action sequences with finesse. Dancing Rose (Shabeer Kallarakkal) delivers a convincing performance as a gangster, adding depth to the film. Chemban Vinod’s quirky English diction provides comic relief, and Jakes Bejoy’s background score elevates the movie.”
Minus Points:
“However, King Of Kotha falls short in terms of its narrative and storyline, deviating from what audiences might expect from a Dulquer Salmaan film. The gangster drama unfolds in a predictable and sluggish manner, testing the audience’s patience. The editing fails to trim down many extended sequences, contributing to the film’s slow pace. Additionally, the climax feels unnecessarily prolonged.”
“The character depth apart from Dulquer, Dancing Rose, and Chemban Vinod remains lacking. Despite evident effort in production, the writing proves to be a weak point in the film.”
“Director Abhilash Joishy’s handling of the film proves lackluster. Given the routine storyline, there was ample room for creative narrative choices. Unfortunately, the execution falls short in this regard. A tighter grip on the runtime could have improved the viewing experience. Strong performances alone cannot salvage a film when the writing falters.”
Verdict:
“On the whole, King Of Kotha disappoints as a lengthy and uninspiring gangster drama. Dulquer Salmaan’s charisma and Dancing Rose’s effort make an impact, but the film’s routine story and sluggish pacing detract from its potential. King Of Kotha ends up as a lackluster watch this weekend.”