Veerappan (2017) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 8 May 2026
Veerappan (2017) Review
Veerappan (2017) (Hindi action, biography, crime) — directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Starring Sandeep Bharadwaj, Lisa Ray, Sachiin Joshi. The journey of the world's most notorious sandalwood and ivory smuggler, Veerappan who was finally captured on October 18, 2004. Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE. Released: 15 Oct 2017. Runtime: 2h 5m.


Veerappan(2017)
Hindi · Action, Biography, Crime
2h 5m · 15 Oct 2017
Music: Jeet Gannguli, Toshi Sabri, Sharib Sabri | DOP: Rammy | Writer: Jai Priyadarshi, R.D. Tailang
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
📖 Story
Veerappan is a biographical crime drama based on the life of the notorious forest brigand Veerappan, who was involved in sandalwood smuggling and poaching in the forests of South India. The film chronicles his rise, his criminal exploits, and the efforts of the police force to capture him. It delves into the cat-and-mouse game between Veerappan and the Special Task Force, highlighting the challenges faced in tracking and apprehending him.
Veerappan attempts to portray the grim and gritty reality of the infamous bandit's life with a focus on the crime and law enforcement aspects. The content is intense and leans heavily on the dark and violent nature of the story. The screenplay is straightforward but lacks the depth and nuance expected from a biopic of such a complex figure. The pacing is uneven; the first half moves at a sluggish pace, focusing on character introductions and setting up the narrative, while the second half picks up with more action and tension but still struggles to maintain engagement throughout.
The film's songs are minimal and do not significantly contribute to the narrative, which is appropriate given the serious tone of the movie. The music and background score by Jeet Gannguli, Toshi Sabri, and Sharib Sabri provide a moody and atmospheric layer, enhancing the suspense and drama in key sequences. However, the BGM sometimes feels repetitive and fails to elevate the emotional impact consistently.
Overall, Veerappan is a gritty crime drama that tries to stay true to the real-life events but falters in screenplay execution and pacing, making it a mixed viewing experience.
Sandeep Bharadwaj: Delivers a committed portrayal of Veerappan, capturing the menace and complexity of the character with intensity.
Lisa Ray: Offers a restrained performance, adding emotional depth to the narrative.
Sachiin Joshi: Provides a solid supporting role with a convincing depiction of law enforcement personnel.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Authentic depiction of Veerappan’s criminal activities
- ✓Strong atmospheric background score
- ✓Committed lead performance by Sandeep Bharadwaj
Weaknesses
- ✕Uneven pacing, especially in the first half
- ✕Screenplay lacks depth and nuance
- ✕Limited impact of songs and music
- ✕Repetitive background score in parts
🎬 Direction & Writing
Ram Gopal Varma directs with a focus on realism and grit but struggles with narrative cohesion and pacing. The direction captures the dark tone of the story but misses opportunities to explore the psychological complexity of its characters more deeply.
📰 Critic Reviews
Ram Gopal Varma makes it interesting whenever he attempts biopics and films based on real events. After Rakta Charitra and The Attacks of 26/11, he comes up with another film based on real events - Killing Veerappan. If you are interested in films based on real events, Killing Veerappan makes an interesting movie if yo…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics
Critics generally appreciated the attempt to depict a controversial figure with a gritty approach but criticized the film for its uneven pacing and lack of narrative depth. The performances, especially by Sandeep Bharadwaj, received praise, while the screenplay and direction were seen as lacking in engagement and emotional resonance.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Veerappan release in theatres?▾
Veerappan released on 15 October 2017 (2017).
Is Veerappan a hit or flop?▾
Veerappan is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Where to watch Veerappan online? OTT release date?▾
Veerappan is available on iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, MX Player, Apple TV+. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Veerappan?▾
Veerappan directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Produced by Raina Sachiin Joshi, Suresh Basant.
Who are the main cast members of Veerappan?▾
Veerappan stars Sandeep Bharadwaj, Lisa Ray, Sachiin Joshi, Navin Prabhakar, Nissar Khan.
What is the Tollybo rating for Veerappan?▾
Tollybo rates Veerappan 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Who composed the music for Veerappan?▾
Music for Veerappan composed by Jeet Gannguli, Toshi Sabri, Sharib Sabri.
What is the genre and runtime of Veerappan?▾
Veerappan — Genre: Action, Biography, Crime, Runtime: 125 minutes, Language: Hindi.
