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.

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.

…an underwhelming film made for Rajinikanth, the politician

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.

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.  

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

The second Rajini-Ranjith outing is better than ‘Kabali’, but still an odd fit for both…

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.

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.

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.

Don’t bother with reports of soft opening; don’t miss this…

…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!

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.

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.

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. 

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

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

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.

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.