Last updated: 8 May 2026


Kannada · Action, Thriller
2h 55m · 19 Oct 2018
Music: Arjun Janya | Writer: Malavalli Saikrishna
Ratings
Our Rating
2.25
The Villain is a Kannada action thriller revolving around a complex cat-and-mouse game between a notorious criminal and the law enforcement trying to capture him. The narrative weaves through multiple timelines and perspectives, focusing on the protagonist's quest for justice and revenge, while exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.
The Villain offers a gripping storyline with a blend of action and emotional drama, though the screenplay occasionally suffers from uneven pacing. The first half sets up the characters and conflict effectively, maintaining audience interest with engaging sequences and plot twists. However, the second half tends to drag at times, with some scenes feeling repetitive and slowing down the momentum.
The film's music, composed by Arjun Janya, complements the narrative well, with songs that fit the mood and setting without disrupting the flow. The background score is impactful during action scenes, enhancing tension and drama. Cinematography captures the gritty tone of the film, though some sequences could have benefited from tighter editing.
Overall, The Villain is a solid entertainer for fans of the genre, with strong performances and a decent technical package, despite minor flaws in pacing and screenplay structure.
Shiva Rajkumar: Powerful and commanding as the protagonist, delivering emotional depth and intensity.
Sudeepa: Charismatic and menacing, effectively portraying the antagonist with flair.
Amy Jackson: Provides a graceful presence with limited but impactful screen time.
Srikanth: Supports well with a convincing performance in a pivotal role.
Mithun Chakraborty: Adds veteran gravitas to the narrative with a memorable cameo.
Tilak Shekar: Delivers a solid supporting role, complementing the leads.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Director Prem manages to balance action and drama well, though the narrative occasionally loses focus. His vision is clear in crafting a stylish thriller, but the screenplay could have been more streamlined to maintain consistent engagement throughout.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.25 / 5 | |
| 2.75 / 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 praised the performances of Shiva Rajkumar and Sudeepa, along with the film's action sequences and music. However, many pointed out the uneven pacing and screenplay issues, especially in the latter half, which affected the overall impact. The film was considered a decent entertainer but not without its flaws.
Final Box-Office Result
The Villain released on 19 October 2018 (2018).
The Villain is declared a FLOP at the box office.
The Villain OTT release date not announced yet.
The Villain directed by Prem. Produced by C. R. Manohar.
The Villain stars Shiva Rajkumar, Sudeepa, Amy Jackson, Srikanth, Mithun Chakraborty.
Tollybo rates The Villain 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Music for The Villain composed by Arjun Janya.
The Villain — Genre: Action, Thriller, Runtime: 175 minutes, Language: Kannada.