Hero (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Hero is a 2019 action thriller starring Sivakarthikeyan as Sakthivel "Sakthi", Robo Shankar and Kalyani Priyadarshan. It runs 2 hours 39 minutes and earned $215,773 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 58/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 39m (159 min)
- Original language
-
Tamil
- Studio
- KJR Studios
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hero About?
The premise of Hero without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A fraudster gets to fulfill his childhood dream of being a superhero when he takes on a ruthless businessman whose business strategy is to crush the dreams of children.
Hero Cast & Characters
Sivakarthikeyan leads the cast as Sakthivel "Sakthi", with Robo Shankar as Inbaraj "Ink" and Kalyani Priyadarshan as Meera.
- Sivakarthikeyan as Sakthivel "Sakthi"
- Robo Shankar as Inbaraj "Ink"
- Kalyani Priyadarshan as Meera
- Ivana as Mathi
Also Starring in Hero
· 14 more- Arjun Sarja Sathyamoorthy "Moorthy"
- Abhay Deol Mahadev
- N. Azhagamperumal Sakthi's Father
- Elango Kumaravel Mathi's Father
- Supergood Subramani
- Prem Police Officer
- Thangapandiyan TV Viewer
- Rahul Thatha
- Vishalini Daniel
- Rishikanth
- Sharath Ravi
- Nishesh
- Ray Paul Sathyamoorthy's Student
- P. S. Mithran
Hero Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).
Hero Echo Score Breakdown
The film delivers a socially relevant narrative about the Indian education system, but its execution is hampered by excessive runtime and uneven pacing. Technical elements such as cinematography and sound design receive praise, while the screenplay suffers from repetitive moments and clichéd romance. Performances range from solid to uneven, limiting emotional impact. Consequently, the movie offers a worthwhile message yet feels like a lengthy, uneven experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film showcases strong cinematography and polished technical execution, earning commendation for its crisp framing and production values. However, critiques note inconsistent editing rhythm and costume design flaws that detract from the overall polish. The combination of high‑quality visuals with occasional technical lapses results in a moderately impressive artistic presentation.
- Character & Emotion 55
When evaluating performances, lead actors receive mixed feedback: Sivakarthikeyan's portrayal is deemed adequate, while Arjun Sarja delivers a reliable and engaging presence. Abhay Deol's antagonist is praised for nuance, whereas the heroine’s role is considered underdeveloped. Overall, character depth varies, providing occasional resonance but lacking consistent emotional weight across the ensemble.
- Story & Flow 60
The narrative centers on a fight against corruption in the education sector, integrating scientific inventions as plot devices. While the premise is original and socially pertinent, reviewers highlight repetitive messaging, predictable arcs, and a stretched first half that diminishes momentum. Consequently, the story offers a meaningful theme but suffers from uneven pacing and formulaic elements.
- Sensory Experience 62
The film’s auditory landscape includes a score that elevates emotional beats for most of its duration, though several songs are regarded as merely filler. Visual style benefits from high‑quality cinematography and well‑executed action set‑pieces, yet recurring costume inconsistencies and over‑dramatized lighting reduce cohesion. Overall, sensory components are competent but not uniformly compelling.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Replay value is moderated by the film’s strong thematic core, which may invite repeat viewings for audiences interested in its social commentary. Nevertheless, the protracted runtime, uneven pacing, and occasional narrative redundancy limit its appeal for subsequent watches. As a result, the movie offers limited incentive for regular re‑engagement.
Hero Plot Summary
What happens in Hero from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Sivakarthikeyan plays Sakthivel “Sakthi”, a lively young boy who dreams of becoming a real-life superhero, inspired by Shaktimaan. After being teased by teachers and peers for his belief, he tries to prove it by a dangerous stunt from the school terrace, hurting himself in the process. His father tries to convince him that Shaktimaan is fictional by showing a disclaimer, and Sakthi’s faith begins to wobble as a result.
Full summary
The whole story of Hero, scene by scene
Hero Box Office
Hero grossed $215,773 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$215.8K
- International
- $215.8K
How Well Do You Know Hero?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the lead role of Sakthivel in the movie?
Hero Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Shakti” and “ஹீரோSK”.
- Also known as
-
- Shakti
- ஹீரோSK
- ฮีโร่
- Shakthi
- Kahraman. / Hero
Seen Hero?
Hero FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Hero, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hero?
Hero runs 2 hours 39 minutes (159 minutes).
When was Hero released?
Hero was released on December 18, 2019.
Who is in the cast of Hero?
Hero stars Sivakarthikeyan as Sakthivel "Sakthi", Robo Shankar as Inbaraj "Ink" and Kalyani Priyadarshan as Meera, among 18 credited actors.
How much did Hero make at the box office?
Hero grossed $215,773 worldwide.
Does Hero have a post-credit scene?
No. Hero has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Hero in?
The original language of Hero is Tamil.
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