Last updated: 8 May 2026


How far will you go for love?
Malayalam · Action, Adventure, Romance
2h 14m · 19 May 2017
Music: Gopi Sundar | DOP: Renadive | Writer: Shibin Francis
Ratings
Our Rating
2.75
CIA: Comrade In America follows the journey of Aji Mathew, a young communist from Kerala, who embarks on a perilous journey to the United States to win the love of his life, Sarah. The story explores themes of political ideology, love, and the struggles faced by immigrants. The narrative combines elements of romance, action, and political drama as Aji navigates various challenges across countries, highlighting his determination and the clash between his communist beliefs and the capitalist world he encounters.
CIA: Comrade In America offers a fresh narrative that blends political ideology with a love story, set against an international backdrop. The screenplay is engaging, especially in the first half, which effectively establishes the characters and their motivations with a good balance of humor and emotional depth. The pacing in the first half is steady, allowing viewers to connect with Aji’s world and his ideals.
The second half shifts gears into a more intense and action-driven narrative as Aji’s journey becomes perilous. While some sequences feel stretched, the screenplay maintains enough momentum to keep the audience invested. The film’s songs and music by Gopi Sundar complement the mood well, with melodious tracks that enhance the emotional beats. The background score is subtle but effective, supporting the film’s dramatic and action sequences without overpowering them.
Cinematography by Renadive captures the contrasting landscapes and cultures beautifully, adding a visual richness to the story. Overall, the film is a commendable attempt at mixing political themes with mainstream entertainment, though it occasionally struggles with tonal consistency.
Dulquer Salmaan: Charismatic and earnest, Dulquer delivers a convincing portrayal of Aji, balancing the character’s ideological convictions with his romantic quest.
Siddique: Provides a strong supporting role with a grounded performance that adds depth to the narrative.
John Vijay: Effective in his role, bringing intensity and authenticity to his character.
Soubin Shahir: Offers comic relief and natural charm, enhancing the lighter moments of the film.
Karthika Muraleedharan: Delivers a sincere performance as the female lead, complementing Dulquer’s character well.
Chandini Sreedharan: Supports the narrative with a poised and subtle performance.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Amal Neerad’s direction is confident, bringing a stylish and polished look to the film. His writing attempts to merge political ideology with a mainstream love story, which is ambitious and mostly successful. However, the narrative sometimes loses focus, especially in the second half, where the tonal shifts affect the overall cohesion.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.25 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics appreciated the film's unique attempt to combine political ideology with a romantic action narrative. Dulquer Salmaan's performance was widely praised, along with the film's technical aspects like cinematography and music. However, some reviews pointed out the uneven pacing and tonal inconsistencies, particularly in the second half.
Final Box-Office Result
CIA: Comrade In America released on 19 May 2017 (2017).
CIA: Comrade In America is declared a AVERAGE at the box office.
CIA: Comrade In America is available on Netflix. OTT date will be updated soon.
CIA: Comrade In America directed by Amal Neerad. Produced by Amal Neerad.
CIA: Comrade In America stars Dulquer Salmaan, Siddique, John Vijay, Soubin Shahir, Karthika Muraleedharan.
Tollybo rates CIA: Comrade In America 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE.
Music for CIA: Comrade In America composed by Gopi Sundar.
CIA: Comrade In America — Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Runtime: 134 minutes, Language: Malayalam.