King Of Kotha (2023)

"King of Kotha" is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language gangster action thriller film directed by Abhilash Joshiy in his directorial debut, and produced jointly by Wayfarer Films and Zee Studios. The film features Dulquer Salmaan in the title role, with a supporting cast involving Shabeer Kallarakkal, Prasanna, Gokul Suresh, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Nyla Usha. The movie is based on two time periods: 1986 and 1996 and takes place in the crime-infested town of Kotha on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. In 1996, CI Shahul Hassan was posted to Kotha, to find the town dominated by a drug baron named "Kannan Bhai". When Shahul attempts to arrest him and is publicly humiliated, he starts digging into the history of the town: particularly the tale of "Raju", a former gangster who was revered like a hero by the people. The flashback to 1986 shows Raju as the true "King of Kotha," a man who was powerful but would not trade in drugs, which triggers a rivalry with his friend-turned-adversary Kannan. Betrayals, loss of self, and misperceptions push Raju out of town. Ten years pass, and he returns with a thirst for revenge after learning his loved ones are in peril. That follows is a gory battle among long-time friends, woven with revenge, loyalty, and bloodshed. King of Kotha" presents a chic gangster saga with good performances and hard-hitting action. Dulquer Salmaan excels as the brooding anti-hero, and the period setting lends depth to the narrative. Yet, the film's attempt to handle multiple characters and timelines makes the narrative unbalanced. It's good on action and looks, but the emotional core and writing could have been tighter. All its shortcomings notwithstanding, the movie is a daring contribution to Malayalam film's crime genre.