Hero (2019) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 24 Apr 2026
Hero (2019) Review
Hero (2019), a Tamil action, drama, thriller movie starring Sivakarthikeyan, Arjun Sarja, Abhay Deol, is reviewed here. Directed by P. S. Mithran. A fraudster gets to fulfill his childhood dream of being a superhero when he takes on a ruthless businessman whose business strategy is to crush the dreams of children. Our Rating: 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE. Released: 20 Dec 2019. Runtime: 2h 39m.


Hero(2019)
Tamil · Action, Drama, Thriller
2h 39m · 20 Dec 2019
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja | DOP: George C. Williams | Writer: Savari Muthu, P. S. Mithran, Anthony Bhagyaraj, Pon Parthiban
Ratings
Our Rating
2.75
📖 Story
Hero follows the story of Sakthi, a young man who aspires to become a police officer but faces obstacles due to his lack of formal education. The narrative unfolds as Sakthi takes on a powerful and corrupt politician involved in illegal arms trafficking, using his wit and courage to bring justice. The film blends action and drama with a social message about the importance of education and integrity in law enforcement.
Hero presents a socially relevant theme wrapped in a commercial action entertainer. The story is engaging, focusing on the protagonist's journey from an underdog to a hero fighting systemic corruption. The screenplay is tightly woven with a mix of intense action sequences and emotional moments, though the pacing tends to slow down in the second half, affecting the overall momentum.
The first half is energetic and sets up the characters and conflict effectively, while the second half leans heavily on action and confrontations, which may feel formulaic to some viewers. The songs composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja are situational and complement the narrative without disrupting the flow. The background score is impactful, enhancing the tension and drama during key scenes.
Cinematography by George C. Williams captures the urban and rural settings with clarity, supporting the film’s tone. Overall, Hero succeeds as a commercial film with a meaningful message, though it could have benefited from a more consistent pace and deeper character development.
Sivakarthikeyan: Delivers a convincing and earnest performance as the determined protagonist, balancing action and emotional scenes well.
Arjun Sarja: Strong and commanding presence as the antagonist, providing a credible threat to the hero.
Abhay Deol: Offers a restrained and effective performance, adding depth to the supporting cast.
Kalyani Priyadarshan: Plays the female lead with charm, though her role is limited in scope.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Engaging social message
- ✓Strong lead performance by Sivakarthikeyan
- ✓Impactful background score
- ✓Well-executed action sequences
Weaknesses
- ✕Second half pacing issues
- ✕Predictable screenplay elements
- ✕Underdeveloped female characters
🎬 Direction & Writing
P. S. Mithran directs with a clear vision, focusing on a socially conscious narrative blended with commercial elements. His writing effectively highlights corruption and the value of education, though the screenplay occasionally falls into familiar tropes. Direction maintains tension and drama, but the film could have benefited from tighter editing in the latter half.
📰 Ratings Sources
No rating sources available.
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
Critics
Critics appreciated the film's social message and Sivakarthikeyan's performance but noted the uneven pacing and formulaic second half. The music and action sequences received positive mentions, while some felt the screenplay lacked novelty.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Hero release in theatres?▾
Hero released on 20 December 2019 (2019).
Is Hero a hit or flop?▾
Hero is declared a AVERAGE at the box office.
Where to watch Hero online? OTT release date?▾
Hero is available on Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads from 20 December 2019.
Who directed Hero?▾
Hero directed by P. S. Mithran. Produced by Kotapadi J Rajesh, R. D. Raja.
Who are the main cast members of Hero?▾
Hero stars Sivakarthikeyan, Arjun Sarja, Abhay Deol, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Ivana.
What is the Tollybo rating for Hero?▾
Tollybo rates Hero 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE.
Who composed the music for Hero?▾
Music for Hero composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.
What is the genre and runtime of Hero?▾
Hero — Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Runtime: 159 minutes, Language: Tamil.
