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Pailwaan (2019) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 8 May 2026

Pailwaan (2019) Review

Pailwaan (2019), a Kannada action, drama, sport movie starring Sudeepa, Aakanksha Singh, Suniel Shetty, is reviewed here. Directed by S. Krishna. A fierce wrestler becomes the symbol of hope for his people when he rises against the odds and fights the brutal oppression. Our Rating: 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE. Released: 12 Sept 2019. Runtime: 2h 46m.

Pailwaan
AVERAGE

Pailwaan(2019)

Kannada · Action, Drama, Sport

2h 46m · 12 Sept 2019

Music: Arjun Janya | DOP: A. Karunakar | Writer: Nani Challagulla, D.S. Kannan, S Krishna

ActionDrama

Ratings

123Telugu123TeluguAI3.25
The HinduThe HinduAI3
IBTimesIBTimesAI3
IMDbIMDb6.2
LetterboxdLetterboxd3

Our Rating

2.75

📖 Story

Pailwaan is a sports action drama centered around the life of a wrestler named Krishna, who overcomes personal and professional challenges to rise as a champion. The story traces his journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a national-level wrestler, highlighting his struggles, sacrifices, and the relationships that shape him. The narrative also explores themes of redemption, love, and resilience against the backdrop of wrestling and boxing arenas.

🔍 Analysis

Pailwaan offers a blend of intense action sequences and emotional drama, with a storyline that aims to inspire through the protagonist's grit and determination. The screenplay is straightforward, focusing on the protagonist's journey with a mix of sports action and family sentiment. The pacing is uneven; the first half effectively builds the character and his motivations, while the second half tends to slow down with extended fight scenes and melodramatic moments.

The film's songs and music by Arjun Janya complement the emotional tone, though the soundtrack does not stand out as particularly memorable. The background score effectively heightens the tension during wrestling and boxing sequences, adding to the film's dramatic impact. Cinematography by A. Karunakar captures the physicality of the sport well, though some sequences feel overly stylized.

Overall, Pailwaan is a decent entertainer for fans of sports dramas, with strong performances and action but hampered by a predictable narrative and inconsistent pacing.

🎭 Performances

Sudeepa: Delivers a powerful and committed portrayal of Krishna, convincingly embodying the wrestler's physicality and emotional depth.

Aakanksha Singh: Provides solid support as the female lead, adding emotional warmth to the story.

Suniel Shetty: Makes a notable appearance as the boxing coach, bringing intensity and experience to the role.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Strong lead performance by Sudeepa
  • Engaging sports action sequences
  • Effective background score during fight scenes
  • Inspirational core story

Weaknesses

  • Predictable and formulaic screenplay
  • Uneven pacing, especially in the second half
  • Songs and music lack memorability
  • Some melodramatic moments dilute impact

🎬 Direction & Writing

S. Krishna directs with a focus on action and emotion, successfully capturing the grit of the wrestling world but occasionally faltering with pacing and narrative depth.

🛠️ Technical Aspects
  • - Cinematography by A. Karunakar
  • - Music by Arjun Janya
  • - Editing that struggles with pacing
  • - Action choreography

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
123Telugu123Telugu
3.25 / 5
IBTimesIBTimes
3.00 / 5
The HinduThe Hindu
3.00 / 5

Our Rating

2.75/5

💰 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 Sudeepa's performance and the sports action elements but pointed out the film's predictable storyline and inconsistent pacing as drawbacks. The emotional aspects resonated moderately, while the music received mixed reviews.

Final Box-Office Result

AVERAGE

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Pailwaan release in theatres?

Pailwaan released on 12 September 2019 (2019).

Is Pailwaan a hit or flop?

Pailwaan is declared a AVERAGE at the box office.

Where to watch Pailwaan online? OTT release date?

Pailwaan is available on Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Pailwaan?

Pailwaan directed by S. Krishna. Produced by Swapna Krishna.

Who are the main cast members of Pailwaan?

Pailwaan stars Sudeepa, Aakanksha Singh, Suniel Shetty, Kabir Duhan Singh, Sushant Singh.

What is the Tollybo rating for Pailwaan?

Tollybo rates Pailwaan 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE.

Who composed the music for Pailwaan?

Music for Pailwaan composed by Arjun Janya.

What is the genre and runtime of Pailwaan?

Pailwaan — Genre: Action, Drama, Sport, Runtime: 166 minutes, Language: Kannada.

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