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Crime thriller

Kavaludaari (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Kavaludaari (2019) movie poster

Kavaludaari is a 2019 crime thriller directed by Hemanth M. Rao, starring Achyuth Kumar as Kumar/Bablu, Rishi and Sampath Maitreya. It runs 2 hours 25 minutes and earned $4,629 worldwide on a $28 million budget. Its Echo Score is 73/100.

worldwide gross
$4.6K
Echo Score
73
budget
$28M
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Kavaludaari (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 25m (145 min)
Director
Hemanth M. Rao
Genres
Crime , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
Kannada
Budget
$28M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kavaludaari About?

The premise of Kavaludaari without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Two Bangalore police officers, a retired inspector and a sub-inspector in the Traffic Police, reopen an old case. Their investigation takes them on a challenging journey, testing their intelligence, determination, and ethical boundaries. As they follow the winding trails of the case, they uncover unexpected complexities and face difficult choices.

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Cast & crew

Kavaludaari Cast & Characters

Achyuth Kumar leads the cast as Kumar/Bablu, with Rishi as K. S. Shyam and Sampath Maitreya as Mailuru Srinivas/Fernandes. Directed by Hemanth M. Rao; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Kavaludaari

· 4 more
From the director

More from Hemanth M. Rao

More films directed by Hemanth M. Rao: Sapta Sagaradaache Ello – Side A and Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu.

Full filmography
Ratings

Kavaludaari Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (68).

73 /100

Kavaludaari Echo Score Breakdown

Kavaludaari presents a compelling blend of strong performances and striking visual composition, anchored by a meticulously crafted cinematographic style. However, the narrative’s deliberate pacing creates moments of lag that dilute tension, especially in the film’s middle section. The climax restores momentum, delivering a satisfying resolution. Overall, the film stands as a solid thriller with notable strengths tempered by pacing inconsistencies.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film benefits from a high‑caliber cinematographic approach that emphasizes contrast and atmospheric lighting. Directionary choices succeed in building mood, yet the overall pacing and editing occasionally undercut narrative urgency. Production design supports the period setting effectively. Consequently, the art and craft demonstrate strong execution with minor rhythmic lapses.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When evaluating character work, lead performances are highlighted as nuanced and emotionally resonant, particularly the portrayals of the traffic inspector and the retired officer. Supporting actors contribute solidly, though some secondary roles appear under‑developed. Chemistry among the main cast feels authentic, and overall acting elevates the material despite occasional flatness in peripheral characters.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Regarding story and flow, the plot offers intriguing twists and a rewarding climax that re‑engages the audience. Nonetheless, the opening and mid‑section are marked by sluggish pacing, causing narrative drag. Originality is evident in the investigative premise, yet inconsistencies in momentum and occasional predictability lower overall coherence and engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 73

    The sensory experience is anchored by a rich soundtrack that accentuates tension, with a few melodic repetitions noted. Sound design complements the thriller tone, while visual style, driven by the praised cinematography, creates an immersive atmosphere. Minor criticisms arise from musical similarity, but overall auditory and visual elements cohere effectively.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s intricate mystery and strong climax encourage a second viewing to appreciate hidden details. However, the slower portions may deter repeat engagement for viewers seeking continual momentum. While many find the experience worth revisiting for its craft and performances, the pacing issues limit universal replay appeal.

Plot

Kavaludaari Plot Summary

What happens in Kavaludaari from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

SI K. S. Shyam, Achyuth Kumar is a sincere traffic cop, whose real interest lies in handling crime-related cases. One day, he accidentally comes across the skeletal remains of a three-member family, and he decides to pursue the mystery despite warnings from his senior officer. The forensic reports show signs of struggle on the bodies, so it most likely was a murder that happened decades ago. As Shyam digs deeper, a chance encounter with a curious journalist named Kumar, Achyuth Kumar pulls him further into the case. They learn that the family’s head was Suresh, the boss of a university archaeology department, who had partnered with Sampath Maitreya, Sampath Maitreya to unearth jewels from the Vijayanagara Empire, and that Sampath was killed on the very same day.

Full summary

The whole story of Kavaludaari, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Kavaludaari Box Office & Budget

Kavaludaari grossed $4,629 worldwide on a $28 million budget.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.6K

International
$4.6K
Budget
$28M
Videos

Kavaludaari Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Kavaludaari.

Kavaludaari - Official Trailer | Anant Nag | Rishi | Hemanth Rao | Charan Raj | Puneeth Rajkumar
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Kavaludaari?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the profession of the main protagonist, K. S. Shyam?

Details

Kavaludaari Also Known As

Also known as “คาวาลูดาอาริ”.

Also known as
  • คาวาลูดาอาริ

Seen Kavaludaari?

FAQ

Kavaludaari FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Kavaludaari, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kavaludaari?

Kavaludaari runs 2 hours 25 minutes (145 minutes).

When was Kavaludaari released?

Kavaludaari was released on April 12, 2019.

Who directed Kavaludaari?

Kavaludaari was directed by Hemanth M. Rao.

More films by Hemanth M. Rao

Who is in the cast of Kavaludaari?

Kavaludaari stars Achyuth Kumar as Kumar/Bablu, Rishi as K. S. Shyam and Sampath Maitreya as Mailuru Srinivas/Fernandes, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Kavaludaari make at the box office?

Kavaludaari grossed $4,629 worldwide on a budget of $28 million.

Does Kavaludaari have a post-credit scene?

No. Kavaludaari has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Kavaludaari in?

The original language of Kavaludaari is Kannada.

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