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Historical action film

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021) movie poster

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea is a 2021 historical action film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Pranav Mohanlal as Young Kunjali Marakkar IV, Fazil and Siddique. It runs 3 hours 2 minutes and earned $1.8 million worldwide on a $14 million budget. Its Echo Score is 58/100.

worldwide gross
$1.8M
Echo Score
58
budget
$14M
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Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
3h 2m (182 min)
Director
Priyadarshan
Genres
History , Action , War
Original language
Malayalam
Budget
$14M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea About?

The premise of Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

The film portrays the courageous life of Kunjali Marakkar the fourth, a rebellious naval chief who fought against the Portuguese in ancient times. As the fourth naval chief of the Calicut Zamorin, he is considered the first Indian Naval Commander and a freedom fighter. The story follows his battles and strategies as he faced the Portuguese, reportedly winning 16 conflicts through his impeccable fighting skills.

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Themes & Keywords

· 3 tags
  • epic
  • warrior
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Cast & Characters

Pranav Mohanlal leads the cast as Young Kunjali Marakkar IV, with Fazil as Kuttiyali Marakkar and Siddique as Pattu Marakkar. Directed by Priyadarshan; 40 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea

· 36 more
Show all 40 cast members
From the director

More from Priyadarshan

More films directed by Priyadarshan, best-rated first: Sometimes, Appatha, Corona Papers and Hungama 2.

Full filmography
Ratings

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

58 /100

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Echo Score Breakdown

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea delivers an impressive visual spectacle, with standout cinematography, VFX, and production design that elevate its epic ambition. However, the film is hampered by uneven direction, a thin and meandering narrative, and underdeveloped characters, which diminish its emotional impact. While the first half engages with its grand set pieces, the second half falls into cliché and sluggish pacing. Consequently, the movie offers a mixed experience that is memorable for its scale but limited in lasting appeal.

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 art and craft, the film excels in cinematography, elaborate costumes, and high‑quality VFX that render each frame visually striking. The production design effectively portrays a period setting, yet direction and editing are criticized for inconsistency, especially in the latter portion. Overall, the technical artistry is strong, but the execution lacks cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When evaluating character and emotion, Pranav Mohanlal receives praise for a compelling performance, while Mohanlal’s portrayal is deemed sluggish and lacking depth. Supporting characters are described as numerous yet underwritten, failing to evoke strong audience connection. The film therefore offers limited emotional resonance and insufficient character development.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The story is perceived as thin and fragmented, with a pacing that drags, particularly in the second half where clichéd melodrama dominates. Narrative cohesion suffers from an excess of peripheral characters and a lack of originality, resulting in a disengaging plot that does not sustain audience interest throughout its lengthy runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience benefits from a richly textured soundtrack and competent sound design, though the music is noted as repetitive. Visual style shines through vivid color palettes and immersive set pieces, reinforcing the film’s epic tone. While auditory elements support the atmosphere, they do not fully compensate for the film’s other shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch value is limited; the film’s initial half offers impressive spectacle that can attract a second viewing, but the drawn‑out second half and narrative weaknesses reduce its appeal on repeat watches. Consequently, the movie is viewed as a one‑time visual experience rather than a film that rewards multiple viewings.

Plot

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Plot Summary

What happens in Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the late 1500s, the Malabar coast of Kerala becomes a chessboard where empire and kingdom maneuver for control. The Portuguese empire forms an uneasy alliance with the kingdom of Kochi to topple the formidable Kozhikode, sparking a clash of ambitions that will reshape the region. The Portuguese commander Alfonso de Noronha, Paul Huntley-Thomas, trains Kochi soldiers to wield firearms and arms them with cannons in exchange for trading rights for crops and spices. Yet the native traders resist the new Cartaz system that stifles their Arab trade, and Kuttiyali Marakkar, Fazil, a well-connected merchant, uncovers ways to keep commerce flowing despite the licenses. His brother-in-law Moidu, aligned with Alfonso, betrays him, deepening the rift between allegiance and personal gain.

Full summary

The whole story of Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Box Office & Budget

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea grossed $1.8 million worldwide on a $14 million budget, 13% of what it cost.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.8M

13% of its budget back

International
$1.8M
Budget
$14M
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea?

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
  2. Question 2: not answered
  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

In which century is the story set?

Details

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Maraikkayar Arabikkadalin Singam” and “மரைக்காயர் அரபிக்கடலின் சிங்கம்”.

Also known as
  • Maraikkayar Arabikkadalin Singam
  • மரைக்காயர் அரபிக்கடலின் சிங்கம்
  • Marakkar Arab Sagar Ka Sher
  • Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham
  • Marakkar: Το λιοντάρι της Αραβικής Θάλασσας
  • Marakkar - Az Arab-tenger oroszlánja
  • Мараккар: Лев Аравийского моря
  • 马拉喀尔:阿拉伯海狮
  • Marakkar Arabiya Samudhra Simham

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Movies Like Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea

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FAQ

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea?

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea runs 3 hours 2 minutes (182 minutes).

When was Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea released?

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea was released on December 1, 2021.

Who directed Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea?

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea was directed by Priyadarshan.

More films by Priyadarshan

Who is in the cast of Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea?

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea stars Pranav Mohanlal as Young Kunjali Marakkar IV, Fazil as Kuttiyali Marakkar and Siddique as Pattu Marakkar, among 40 credited actors.

How much did Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea make at the box office?

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea grossed $1.8 million worldwide on a budget of $14 million.

Does Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea have a post-credit scene?

No. Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea in?

The original language of Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea is Malayalam.

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