Last updated: 30 Apr 2026


Tamil · Action, Crime, Drama
3h 10m · 21 Aug 2009
DOP: N K Ekambaram | Writer: Susi Ganesan
Ratings
Our Rating
2.25
Kanthaswamy is a Tamil vigilante action film that revolves around the titular character, Kanthaswamy, who leads a double life as a Robin Hood-like figure stealing from the rich to help the poor. The story unfolds as Kanthaswamy takes on corrupt politicians and businessmen, using his wit and agility to outsmart his adversaries. The narrative explores themes of justice, sacrifice, and social inequality, with a blend of action, drama, and romance.
Kanthaswamy offers a blend of commercial cinema elements with a socially relevant vigilante theme. The story is straightforward, focusing on the hero's mission to fight corruption and aid the underprivileged. The screenplay maintains a decent pace, with the first half establishing the characters and the hero's motives effectively, while the second half escalates the conflict with more intense action sequences and emotional moments. The film's pacing is generally engaging, though some scenes tend to drag slightly.
The songs and music, while not credited here, play a significant role in enhancing the film's appeal, featuring catchy numbers that complement the narrative without overwhelming it. The background score supports the mood transitions well, particularly during action and suspense sequences, adding to the overall cinematic experience. Cinematography by N K Ekambaram captures the vibrant and dynamic aspects of the film, especially during the action scenes and song sequences.
Overall, Kanthaswamy succeeds as a commercial entertainer with a message, balancing action, drama, and music to keep the audience invested, despite some predictable plot points and occasional pacing issues.
Vikram: Charismatic and energetic, Vikram delivers a convincing portrayal of the vigilante hero with a good mix of intensity and charm.
Shriya Saran: Provides solid support as the female lead, with a graceful presence and emotional depth.
Vadivelu: Offers comic relief with his trademark humor, adding light moments to balance the film's serious themes.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Susi Ganesan directs with a clear vision for a commercial vigilante drama, balancing action and social messaging. The writing is straightforward, focusing on delivering a mass entertainer with emotional and moral undertones, though it occasionally falls into familiar tropes.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics generally praised Vikram's performance and the film's entertaining action sequences but noted the predictability of the plot and uneven pacing. The music and cinematography were appreciated for complementing the film's tone. Overall, the film was seen as a decent commercial entertainer with a social message.
Final Box-Office Result
Mallanna released on 21 August 2009 (2009).
Mallanna is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Mallanna is available on Sun Nxt. OTT date will be updated soon.
Mallanna directed by Susi Ganesan. Produced by S. Thanu.
Mallanna stars Vikram, Shriya Saran, Prabhu, Vadivelu, Ashish Vidhyarthi.
Tollybo rates Mallanna 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Mallanna — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 190 minutes, Language: Tamil.