Dulquer Salmaan is also a massive star in Telugu cinema. He is back with a new film titled King of Kotha which was released today. Read our review to know if the film is worth the hype or not.
Story: King Of Kotha revolves around the close friendship between Raju (Dulquer Salman) and Kannan (Shabeer Kallarakkal), two individuals who gradually ascend the ranks of the mafia in a fictional village named Kotha. The film delves into the contrasts that emerge between them and the eventual divergence in their paths. The heart of the story lies in their backstory, particularly Raju’s personal conflict, which shapes the overarching plot of the movie.
Performances: Starting with Aishwarya Lakshmi’s character, isn’t your conventional heroine; instead, she serves as the love interest of the protagonist, playing a pivotal role in steering the narrative. Yet, Aishwarya’s role doesn’t offer substantial room for showcasing her acting prowess. She executes her part well within the limited scope provided. Dulquer Salman assumes the role of Raju, a restrained gangster with a broad age range with ease. Despite the potential for ferocity given the subject matter, Dulquer Salman’s portrayal remains calm, interspersed with a few emotional moments. His performance is commendable, meeting expectations. Shabeer Kallarakkal emerges as a pivotal figure beyond the face of the film, Dulquer Salman
Technicalities: The set design, period ambiance, and visuals collectively captivate the audience’s gaze. The actors further compensate for the anticipated beats in the storyline, lending depth to their characters. The musical score is contributed by Jakes Bejoy, alongside a song by Shaan Rahman. Jakes Bejoy also handles the background score which shines bright, infusing the film with a contemporary vibe. The film’s technical facets, as anticipated in productions of this nature, stand out. Nimish Ravi’s adept cinematography captures the essence of the 1990s, aided by impeccable production design. The editing is an issue as the length of the film is long and ends as boring in many places.
Analysis: King Of Kotha is helmed by director Abhilash Joshiy and falls within the gangster drama genre, infused with elements of suspense. The movie’s period setting and meticulous attention to detail bear testament to the director’s dedication. The craftsmanship invested in the film is apparent from the very beginning. Transitioning to the narrative, it’s a bustling tale replete with multiple subplots.
The richly crafted world and diverse cast keep the proceedings interesting most of the time. The progression remains smooth, albeit deliberately unhurried and this is a cause of concern for a few. But by the midpoint, one hopes for a tempo shift in the latter half. Although there appears to be a temporary surge initially, the story promptly reverts to its established rhythm. While the pacing continues from the first half, now intertwined with a theme of revenge, the narrative’s lack of novelty is evident in most of the scenes.
Despite the predictability, the presence of the actors keeps the clock ticking. The climax is extended and stretched for no reason. The outset sets the tone by conveying two key aspects: a protracted cinematic journey lies ahead, characterized by deliberate pacing. Moreover, in terms of storytelling, the narrative might not tread entirely novel terrain. When it comes to the climax, it is the sort of ending that may not introduce anything groundbreaking, yet remains watchable owing to the dedicated efforts of the cast and crew.
Verdict: King of Kotha has the scale, star cast, and performances. But to enjoy the film, one has to sit for three long hours and adjust to the slow pace. If you are okay with this, give the film a shot, and mind you, there is nothing new that has been showcased here apart from Dulquer’s terrific performance.
Rating: 2/5
Bottom Line- Slow-paced gangster drama
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