New Delhi: Dulquer Salmaan, known for his charming and gentle lover-boy roles, takes on a new persona as an action hero in the Malayalam film King of Kotha. Directed by debutant Abhilash Joshiy and written by Abhilash N. Chandran, the movie hit theaters on August 25, 2023. The film builds up anticipation for Dulquer’s grand entrance, which occurs over 30 minutes into the three-hour runtime. While this strategy does have an impact on the audience, it is only temporary. The film aims to showcase Dulquer’s versatility as an actor.

Storyline

King of Kotha is a gangster film set in a fictional place called Kotha, near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The story follows a policeman who is transferred to bring peace to the divided town. He discovers the brutal reality of the place and calls upon a former gangster named Raju (played by Dulquer Salmaan) to help him tame the current hoodlum, Kannan Bhai. Raju and Kannan Bhai were once in the same gang but separated due to a disagreement over drug dealing. The film follows a non-linear storyline, moving back and forth between 1996 and 1986.

Script

Abilash Joshiy makes a stylish debut as a director in King of Kotha, but the film is held back by a predictable story by Abhilash N. Chandran. The execution of the scenes is what keeps the audience engaged, rather than the actual events happening in the story. The production design by Nimesh M Thanoor is visually appealing, but the slow-paced editing by Shyam Sasidharan hampers the overall flow of the film. However, cinematographer Nimish Ravi impresses with his camera work, particularly in the stylish combat sequences.

The film attempts to deviate from the usual formula of action movies, but the emotional depth is hindered by weak dialogues. This problem continues throughout the film, as important scenes lose their impact due to ineffective dialogue.

Performance

Dulquer Salmaan delivers a charismatic performance, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He effortlessly portrays the stylish and tough character of Raju while also bringing out the heartfelt side of the role. However, the narrative fails to do justice to his character’s potential due to the actions he is made to take. Shabeer Kallarakkal, playing the role of Kannan Bhai, starts off well but unfortunately ends up being an underutilized sidekick. Despite playing a significant role in Raju’s life, his character lacks depth and fails to establish a strong connection.

Prasanna and Gokul Suresh, portraying the two policemen, serve primarily as messengers to facilitate the non-linear storyline, without much additional impact. Aishwarya Lekshmi, as Tara, Raju’s love interest, is given limited opportunity to showcase her talent beyond being a romantic interest. Even when given a chance, her character doesn’t receive enough focus. Shammi Thilakan, playing Raju’s father Kotha Ravi, delivers a memorable and genuine performance in his small but impactful role.

Direction & Music

Director Abilash Joshiy, following in his father’s footsteps, creates a similar atmospheric and visually pleasing film with “King of Kotha.” He shows potential to excel with a stronger script. Abhilash Joshiy proves his ability to handle action scenes while maintaining quality content, much like his father and renowned director Joshiy.

The background score by Jakes Bejoy complements the captivating visuals, enhancing the impact of certain scenes on the overall viewing experience.

Conclusion

“King of Kotha” had the potential to be an innovative and outstanding gangster film, but a stronger script would have ensured a better fate for the movie. Dulquer Salmaan delivers a great performance in the action scenes and his rugged look adds to his charm. The character development is interesting as he portrays a lover, a caring brother, and a loyal friend.

While the film tries to break away from the typical formula of mass action films, weak dialogues hinder the emotional depth. This issue persists throughout the movie, with impactful scenes being weakened by subpar dialogue.

The songs and background score by Jakes Bejoy, along with the visually stunning cinematography by Nimish Ravi, elevate the film’s appeal to a wider audience. Abhilash Joshiy has shown his capability of handling action sequences while maintaining quality content, similar to his father, veteran director Joshiy.