Kaala (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Kaala is a 2018 crime drama directed by Pa. Ranjith, starring Rajinikanth as Karikaalan Vengaiyan 'Kaala', Easwari Rao and Nana Patekar. It runs 2 hours 46 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Its Echo Score is 68/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 46m (166 min)
- Director
- Pa. Ranjith
- Original language
-
Tamil
- Studio
- Wunderbar Films
- Budget
- $20M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Kaala About?
The premise of Kaala without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Karikaalan consistently fights to keep the people of Dharavi, a slum in Mumbai, safe from the clutches of mighty politicians and the land mafia don, Hari Dhadha.
Kaala Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- city
Kaala Cast & Characters
Rajinikanth leads the cast as Karikaalan Vengaiyan 'Kaala', with Easwari Rao as Selvi Karikaalan and Nana Patekar as Haridev Abhayankar 'Hari Dhadha'. Directed by Pa. Ranjith; 24 actors are credited in all.
- Director Pa. Ranjith
- Rajinikanth as Karikaalan Vengaiyan 'Kaala'
- Easwari Rao as Selvi Karikaalan
- Nana Patekar as Haridev Abhayankar 'Hari Dhadha'
- Huma Qureshi as Zareena
Also Starring in Kaala
· 20 more- Sampath Raj Vishnu Bhai
- Dhileban Selvam
- Ravi Kale Sunil
- Samuthirakani Vaaliyappan
- Manikandan Lenin
- Anjali Patil Charumathi 'Puyal'
- Pankaj Tripathi SP Pankaj Patil
- Ramesh Thilak Journalist
- Sayaji Shinde Minister
- Aruldoss MLA
- Supergood Subramani
- Aravind Akash Shivaji Gaekwod Rao
- Nithish Veera Kathiravan
- Vishalini Daniel Devi
- Yatin Karyekar
- Sakshi Agarwal Karikaalan's Daughter-in-Law
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Arundhathi Nair Karikaalan's Daughter-in-Law
- Shan Sharif Khan Shan
- Karuppu Nambiyar
- Pradeep Kabra
More from Pa. Ranjith
More films directed by Pa. Ranjith: Natchathiram Nagargiradhu, Sarpatta Parambarai, Kabali and Madras.
Kaala Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Kaala Echo Score Breakdown
Kaala delivers a mixed cinematic experience that balances strong performances and political ambition with uneven pacing and a polarising soundtrack. While the direction and visual design succeed in portraying the slum setting and the film’s social message, the narrative loses momentum toward the end, leaving the audience divided on its overall impact. The movie’s replay value is modest, appealing mainly to dedicated fans of the lead actor and those interested in its thematic concerns.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, Kaala presents a vivid depiction of the Dharavi environment, employing colorful production design and a distinct animation sequence. The cinematography captures the gritty realism, and editing maintains coherence for most of the runtime. Some reviewers note occasional pacing drag, but the overall artistic execution is deemed commendable, contributing positively to the film’s aesthetic identity.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to character work, the lead performance is highlighted as nuanced and compelling, with supporting actors delivering solid portrayals that enrich the story. The chemistry between the protagonists is noted as effective, and antagonist roles are praised for depth. Minor criticisms arise regarding underutilized characters, yet the collective acting quality is regarded as a principal strength of the film.
- Story & Flow 55
Regarding the narrative, Kaala offers a politically charged premise and original thematic elements that engage viewers initially. However, several critiques point to a sluggish middle section and an unresolved conclusion that diminish overall coherence. The pacing inconsistencies and perceived lack of a satisfying climax result in a mixed assessment of the story’s structural integrity.
- Sensory Experience 60
In the sensory domain, the film’s soundtrack receives divergent feedback; some praise the background score’s intensity, while others describe the songs as uneven and forgettable. Visual style remains a highlight, with realistic set pieces and effective color palettes. Sound design supports the atmosphere, but the inconsistent musical impact leads to a moderate overall impression.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Concerning rewatch potential, Kaala holds appeal for devoted fans of the lead actor and viewers interested in its social commentary. The film’s memorable moments and strong performances encourage repeat viewings for this audience. Conversely, critics who found the narrative unsatisfying deem it less likely to merit multiple watches, resulting in a modest rewatch rating.
Kaala Plot Summary
What happens in Kaala from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Mumbai, the Dharavi slum—home to migrants from southern Tamil Nadu living in tight, tough conditions—becomes the battleground for power, profit, and protest. At the center of the storm is Hari Dada Nana Patekar, a ruthless minister whose rise from rough streets to a seat in Parliament and then the Union Ministry fuels a relentless push to evict residents and seize their land. By 2015, the neighborhood sits at the heart of city planning, a test case for a bold redevelopment push backed by a construction outfit tied to government schemes and the support of Hari’s party.
Full summary
The whole story of Kaala, scene by scene
Kaala Box Office & Budget
Kaala grossed $1.5 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 8% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$1.5M
8% of its budget back
- International
- $1.5M
- Budget
- $20M
Kaala Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 teasers.
- Teaser Kaala (Tamil) - Official Teaser | Rajinikanth | Pa Ranjith | Dhanush | Santhosh Narayanan
- Teaser Kaala (Telugu) - Official Teaser | Rajinikanth | Pa Ranjith | Dhanush | Santhosh Narayanan
- Teaser Kaala (Hindi) - Official Teaser | Rajinikanth | Pa Ranjith | Dhanush | Santhosh Narayanan
How Well Do You Know Kaala?
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 titular character Kaala in this 2018 film?
Kaala Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Kaala Karikaalan” and “Kaala Karikalan”.
- Also known as
-
- Kaala Karikaalan
- Kaala Karikalan
- Kaalaa
- காலா கரிகாலன்
- கரிகாலன்
- Karikaalan
- Каала
- 卡拉
Seen Kaala?
Movies Like Kaala
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kaali, Kaala Patthar and Kaala.
Kaala FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Kaala, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Kaala?
Kaala runs 2 hours 46 minutes (166 minutes).
When was Kaala released?
Kaala was released on June 6, 2018.
Who directed Kaala?
Kaala was directed by Pa. Ranjith.
More films by Pa. Ranjith Who is in the cast of Kaala?
Kaala stars Rajinikanth as Karikaalan Vengaiyan 'Kaala', Easwari Rao as Selvi Karikaalan and Nana Patekar as Haridev Abhayankar 'Hari Dhadha', among 24 credited actors.
How much did Kaala make at the box office?
Kaala grossed $1.5 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million.
Does Kaala have a post-credit scene?
No. Kaala has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Kaala in?
The original language of Kaala is Tamil.
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