Last updated: 8 May 2026


Malayalam · Action, Crime, Drama
2h 54m · 24 Aug 2023
Music: Shaan Rahman, Jakes Bejoy | DOP: Nimish Ravi | Writer: Abhilash N. Chandran
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
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.
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.
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
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.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.25 / 5 | |
| 2.75 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
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
King of Kotha released on 24 August 2023 (2023).
King of Kotha is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
King of Kotha is available on JioHotstar from 28 September 2023.
King of Kotha directed by Abhilash Joshiy. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan.
King of Kotha stars Dulquer Salmaan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Prasanna, Nyla Usha.
Tollybo rates King of Kotha 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for King of Kotha composed by Shaan Rahman, Jakes Bejoy.
King of Kotha — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 174 minutes, Language: Malayalam.