TheReviewMonk is back — critic reviews for Indian cinema, aggregated. Read our story →

TheReviewMonk
Kaala backdrop

Kaala

8 June 2018HindiorigTamil2h 46m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 15 scored reviews · 3 not rated

Rajinikanth and bold caste politics carry a film let down by length and a thin story.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Rajinikanth's commanding screen presence
  • Criticised: Excessive length, thin story

Audience

User score 2.0 out of 10 from 2 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 17 critics are saying

Critical reception for Kaala is mixed, with most reviewers acknowledging it as a functional Rajinikanth vehicle elevated by his screen presence and Pa Ranjith's ideological ambitions around caste, land rights, and revolution. Several critics praised the bold social messaging, the abstract climax, and specific set pieces, while Rajinikanth's performance was frequently cited as the film's strongest asset. The most consistent criticism across reviews was the film's excessive length and a thin, unoriginal story that struggled to fully support its thematic reach. A minority of critics found the political messaging heavy-handed or felt the film failed to cohere as a whole.

How the 15 scores spread

3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 17 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

From the papers

Critic reviews (18)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Kaala is a polished production with slick set pieces, including an action scene built around an umbrella as the only choice of weapon. Then there is the powerful climax with an imaginative use of color.
  2. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Pa Ranjith has some strong Leftist messaging and a lot to say about caste and colour, but all is lost within a mediocre film.
  3. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Kaala works really well as a film and as a Rajinikanth vehicle; it would be wise to leave the politician outside the theatres though.
  4. India Today

    Film review ·

    Pa Ranjith keeps talking of ideologies. Kaala seems to be the personification of his ideas. The dialogue "Ellarum Kaala thaan (Everyone is Kaala)," which comes at the tail end of the film, sums up the entire film. And it takes some serious guts to make an ambiguous and abstract climax like this one in a Rajinikanth film.
  5. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Kaala is Rajinikanth's film all the way. It's the kind of Rajinikanth movie you have been waiting for a decade. It's the film you can take your appa, amma, pati, or even your girlfriend and everyone will walk home with a smile.
  6. Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Kaala isn't a film about a gangster but a film about revolution. And Ranjith stays true to his objective. The traces of what we saw in Kabali have been fleshed out and beautifully embellished.
  7. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    This time, Ranjith uses Rajinikanth the Superstar to tell his message — land is the common man's right. The story is simple... Migrants from Tamil Nadu settle in Dharavi and help build it, and run the city. When an evil politician-cum-land mafia don sets his eyes on their land, they revolt.
  8. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Don't go for the slow-mos and the dialogues. Watch it for the story, and the incredible performances. It's a bit too long and there will be a time when you might feel bored but the climax will defintely make up for it.
  9. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    The major drawback of Kaala is the length of the film — at 2 hours and 46 minutes, there is nothing new in the story. Kaala is an out-and-out Rajinikanth film and he is one of the biggest reasons to go watch it.
  10. Fully Hyderabad

    Film review ·

    Clever ideas, smooth filmmaking and some entrancing acting covering up for a film whose flaws are a result of its reach far exceeding its grasp.
  11. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    All said and done, Kaala is all Rajinikanth – pure seeti-maar entertainment. 160 minutes well spent, watch this if you have an appetite for masala films. Also, watch this to know how there's much more left in the powerhouse known as Rajinikanth.
  12. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    There's not enough Rajini magic...When Rajini Sir arrives, it's as if the screen itself folds from both ends to bend down in a respectful namaskaram.
  13. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Overall, Kaala falls short of expectations as it doesn't live up to the tag of a 'Rajnikanth film'. Though there are a few moments here and there, these are overshadowed by slow narration and some boring scenes. All in all, if you're expecting a larger-than-life performance, you'll be disappointed.
  14. IndiaWest

    Film review ·

    ...when the film ends abruptly, we almost feel that the writing and production team has suddenly decided to finish it all, as if to say, "Enough is enough! Let's get done with it!" But by then, the audience is already tortured, its patience worn thinner than the plot!
  15. Sify

    Film review ·

    Nothing original, surprising or remotely unpredictable Filled with a plethora of social messages and political propaganda to set the grand stage for Rajinikanth's political entry

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

2 ratings · user score 2.0

  1. Ajay lawyerJun 2018
    3/10

    its time to stop rajini sir doing movies, we are the rajini fans cant see him like old old old. no great fights no style , no big dialogues. not his range movie. stop doing in tamil . take movies from directors like sankar , rajamouli.

  2. Tejas NairSept 2018
    1/10

    Director Pa Ranjith's Kaala is a chaotic and inconsequential crime drama based on fantasy surrounding the popular area of Dharavi in Mumbai and uses its aging lead star Rajinikanth's pointless style and glamour to create a mockery of itself - primarily of what it sets out to do - with the help of a weaker remaining cast (Hume Qureshi, et al) who all act hunky-dory and fool around romancing while not focusing on the main agenda to gradually reduce itself to highfalutin claptrap. TN.

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

Director

Cinematography

Producer

You may also like

More Hindi films

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.