King of Kotha Movie 2023: Dulquer Salmaan, renowned for his recent PAN India success, ventures into the gangster action genre with ‘King Of Kotha,’ directed by Abhilash Joshiy. The film features an ensemble cast including Dancing Rose Shabeer, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Prasanna, Nyla Usha, Anika Surendran, and Chemban Vinod in pivotal roles. Released today, let’s explore how the film fares.
Plot Summary:
The narrative centers around Khanna Bhai (Dancing Rose Shabeer), a drug lord in Kotha town. C.I. Shahul Haasan (Prasanna) attempts to dismantle the drug mafia but faces challenges. Discovering that Kotha was once under the control of Raju (Dulquer Salmaan), and Khanna Bhai was his close associate, Shahul delves into their past to unravel the reasons for their separation. The story unfolds as Raju seeks to eliminate the drug menace, and Shahul strives to bring justice.
Positive Aspects:
Dulquer Salmaan’s performance steals the spotlight, showcasing his versatility and ease in portraying Raju’s character. The actor excels in action sequences, contributing to the film’s engaging moments. Dancing Rose, aka Shabeer Kallarakkal, delivers a convincing performance as a gangster, and Chemban Vinod adds humor with his unique English diction. Jakes Bejoy’s background score proves to be a valuable asset to the film.
Drawbacks:
Despite strong performances, ‘King Of Kotha’ falls short in terms of an innovative storyline, deviating from the expectations associated with a Dulquer Salmaan film. The narrative, resembling a regular gangster drama, lacks freshness, impacting the overall viewing experience. The pacing of the film is sluggish, demanding considerable patience from the audience. Editing issues contribute to prolonged sequences, making the film predictable, and the climax unnecessarily stretched.
Beyond the main characters played by Dulquer, Dancing Rose, and Chemban Vinod, the supporting cast lacks impactful roles. While the film displays considerable effort in production, the writing requires more attention to elevate the overall quality.
Technical Evaluation:
The musical composition by Jakes Bejoy and Shaan Rahman is satisfactory, with Jakes Bejoy’s background score standing out. Set in a period backdrop, the art direction successfully recreates the bygone era, complemented by Nimish Ravi’s excellent cinematography. However, poor editing hinders the flow of the film.
Director Abhilash Joishy’s handling of the routine story disappoints, as the narrative lacks the required magic to elevate the film. The extended runtime could have been better managed to enhance the audience’s engagement.
Verdict:
In summary, ‘King Of Kotha’ emerges as a lengthy and uninspiring gangster drama. Dulquer Salmaan’s commendable performance, supported by Dancing Rose, isn’t enough to overcome the film’s routine plot and slow-paced narrative. Despite its strengths, ‘King Of Kotha’ proves to be a disappointing watch for the weekend.”