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The Villain (2018) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 8 May 2026

The Villain (2018) Review

The Villain (2018) — a Kannada action, thriller film directed by Prem. Starring Shiva Rajkumar, Sudeepa, Amy Jackson. Rama or Ravana, whose ideologies work better? Two shrewd minds battle it out in a one-upmanship game. Who will win? Our Rating: 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP. Released: 19 Oct 2018. Runtime: 2h 55m.

The Villain
FLOP

The Villain(2018)

Kannada · Action, Thriller

2h 55m · 19 Oct 2018

Music: Arjun Janya | Writer: Malavalli Saikrishna

ActionCrime

Ratings

123Telugu123TeluguAI3
FirstpostFirstpostAI2.75
IBTimesIBTimesAI3.25
IMDbIMDb4.9
LetterboxdLetterboxd2.8

Our Rating

2.25

📖 Story

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.

🔍 Analysis

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.

🎭 Performances

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

Strengths

  • Strong lead performances
  • Engaging first half
  • Effective background score
  • Good action choreography

Weaknesses

  • Uneven pacing in the second half
  • Occasional screenplay lapses
  • Some repetitive scenes
  • Editing could be tighter

🎬 Direction & Writing

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.

🛠️ Technical Aspects
  • - Music by Arjun Janya
  • - Cinematography capturing gritty visuals
  • - Editing with room for improvement
  • - Action choreography

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
123Telugu123Telugu
3.00 / 5
IBTimesIBTimes
3.25 / 5
FirstpostFirstpost
2.75 / 5

Our Rating

2.25/5

💰 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 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

FLOP

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did The Villain release in theatres?

The Villain released on 19 October 2018 (2018).

Is The Villain a hit or flop?

The Villain is declared a FLOP at the box office.

Where to watch The Villain online? OTT release date?

The Villain OTT release date not announced yet.

Who directed The Villain?

The Villain directed by Prem. Produced by C. R. Manohar.

Who are the main cast members of The Villain?

The Villain stars Shiva Rajkumar, Sudeepa, Amy Jackson, Srikanth, Mithun Chakraborty.

What is the Tollybo rating for The Villain?

Tollybo rates The Villain 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.

Who composed the music for The Villain?

Music for The Villain composed by Arjun Janya.

What is the genre and runtime of The Villain?

The Villain — Genre: Action, Thriller, Runtime: 175 minutes, Language: Kannada.

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