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King of Kotha (2023) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 8 May 2026

King of Kotha (2023) Review

Directed by Abhilash Joshiy, King of Kotha (2023) is a Malayalam action, crime, drama film starring Dulquer Salmaan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Shabeer Kallarakkal. Kannan is a gangster who rules the crime-infested town of Kotha. After getting humiliated by Kannan and his men, CI Shahul Haasan tactfully plots the return of former gangster named Kotha Rajendran alias "Raju", thus leading to a transformative turn of events. Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE. Released: 24 Aug 2023. Runtime: 2h 54m.

King of Kotha
BELOW AVERAGE

King of Kotha(2023)

Malayalam · Action, Crime, Drama

2h 54m · 24 Aug 2023

Music: Shaan Rahman, Jakes Bejoy | DOP: Nimish Ravi | Writer: Abhilash N. Chandran

ActionDramaCrime

Ratings

FirstpostFirstpostAI2.75
Times of IndiaTimes of IndiaAI3.25
IBTimesIBTimesAI3
KoimoiKoimoiAI3
PinkvillaPinkvillaAI3

Our Rating

2.5

📖 Story

King of Kotha is a Malayalam action thriller that delves into the gritty underworld of the fictional town of Kotha. The story follows the rise and fall of a powerful gangster, exploring themes of loyalty, revenge, and redemption. The narrative is layered with intense conflicts and emotional drama, highlighting the protagonist's struggle to maintain control over his empire while facing threats from rivals and personal demons.

🔍 Analysis

King of Kotha presents a dark and intense storyline that attempts to blend raw action with emotional depth. The screenplay is structured to reveal the protagonist's past and present simultaneously, which adds complexity but occasionally hampers the pacing. The first half is gripping with well-crafted action sequences and character introductions, setting a strong tone for the film. However, the second half tends to drag with repetitive confrontations and a slower narrative progression.

The music by Shaan Rahman and Jakes Bejoy complements the film's mood effectively, with background scores enhancing the tension and drama throughout. The songs, though limited, are well placed and add to the emotional layers without disrupting the flow. Nimish Ravi's cinematography captures the grim atmosphere of Kotha vividly, using dark palettes and dynamic framing to immerse the audience in the underworld setting.

Overall, the film's attempt to balance intense action with a character-driven story is commendable, but uneven pacing and a convoluted screenplay in the latter half prevent it from fully realizing its potential.

🎭 Performances

Dulquer Salmaan: Powerful and intense portrayal of a complex gangster, carrying the film with charisma and emotional depth.

Aishwarya Lekshmi: Strong and nuanced performance, adding emotional weight to the narrative.

Shabeer Kallarakkal: Effective as the antagonist, bringing menace and intensity.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Dulquer Salmaan's commanding performance
  • Atmospheric cinematography by Nimish Ravi
  • Effective background score enhancing tension
  • Strong first half with engaging action sequences

Weaknesses

  • Uneven pacing in the second half
  • Convoluted screenplay leading to narrative drag
  • Limited impact of songs
  • Some repetitive confrontations

🎬 Direction & Writing

Abhilash Joshiy delivers a visually striking gangster drama with a strong central performance but struggles with maintaining narrative momentum and clarity in the screenplay, especially in the latter half.

🛠️ Technical Aspects
  • - Cinematography by Nimish Ravi
  • - Music direction by Shaan Rahman and Jakes Bejoy
  • - Editing and screenplay structure

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
IBTimesIBTimes
3.00 / 5
Times of IndiaTimes of India
3.25 / 5
FirstpostFirstpost
2.75 / 5
KoimoiKoimoi
3.00 / 5
PinkvillaPinkvilla
3.00 / 5

Our Rating

2.5/5

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive40%
Neutral35%
Negative25%

Critics

Critics appreciated Dulquer Salmaan's intense performance and the film's atmospheric visuals. The background score and action sequences were also praised. However, many noted the uneven pacing and a convoluted screenplay in the second half as significant drawbacks. The film received mixed to positive reviews overall.

Final Box-Office Result

BELOW AVERAGE

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did King of Kotha release in theatres?

King of Kotha released on 24 August 2023 (2023).

Is King of Kotha a hit or flop?

King of Kotha is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.

Where to watch King of Kotha online? OTT release date?

King of Kotha is available on JioHotstar from 28 September 2023.

Who directed King of Kotha?

King of Kotha directed by Abhilash Joshiy. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan.

Who are the main cast members of King of Kotha?

King of Kotha stars Dulquer Salmaan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Prasanna, Nyla Usha.

What is the Tollybo rating for King of Kotha?

Tollybo rates King of Kotha 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.

Who composed the music for King of Kotha?

Music for King of Kotha composed by Shaan Rahman, Jakes Bejoy.

What is the genre and runtime of King of Kotha?

King of Kotha — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 174 minutes, Language: Malayalam.

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