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Action drama

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

Petta (2019) movie poster

Petta is a 2019 action drama directed by Karthik Subbaraj, starring Rajinikanth as Petta 'Kaali' Velan, Bobby Simha and Simran. It runs 2 hours 52 minutes and earned $2 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 68/100.

worldwide gross
$2M
Echo Score
68
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Petta (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 52m (172 min)
Director
Karthik Subbaraj
Genres
Drama , Action
Original language
Tamil
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Petta About?

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

A hostel warden becomes the target of a dreaded politician and his gangster son, but little do they realise that it is they who should fear him.

Petta Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • opening action scene
  • martial arts
  • hostel
  • warden
  • hand to hand combat
  • kiss
  • love interest
  • violence
  • one man army
  • tough guy
  • gangster
  • gang fight
+13 more
  • sword fight
  • sword
  • machete
  • knife
  • knife fight
  • fistfight
  • fight
  • brawl
  • candlestick
  • disarming someone
  • bollywood
  • one against many
  • basketball court
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Cast & crew

Petta Cast & Characters

Rajinikanth leads the cast as Petta 'Kaali' Velan, with Bobby Simha as Michael and Simran as Mangalam. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj; 32 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Petta

· 28 more
Show all 32 cast members
From the director

More from Karthik Subbaraj

More films directed by Karthik Subbaraj, best-rated first: Jagame Thandhiram, Retro, Iraivi and Bench Talkies.

Full filmography
Ratings

Petta Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

68 /100

Petta Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impression, Petta delivers a high‑energy showcase built around Rajinikanth’s star power, resonating strongly with fans but offering a less consistent experience for broader audiences. Critics acknowledge the film’s lively pacing and confident direction, yet point to moments of rushed storytelling and uneven tonal shifts. Viewer feedback mirrors this split, praising the performances and visual flair while critiquing narrative cohesion and character utilization. Consequently, the film stands as an entertaining mass piece with notable limitations.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    ART: The direction by Karthik Subbaraj is generally affirmed as assured, with critics noting a sure hand and many viewers highlighting effective camera work, vibrant colour grading, and dynamic action choreography. However, some reviews describe portions as rushed or overly stylised, suggesting uneven pacing in the film’s visual execution.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    CHARACTER: Performances receive mixed appraisal; Rajinikanth’s charismatic presence is praised for its intensity and audience appeal, while supporting actors such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vijay Sethupathi earn both commendation for contribution and criticism for underutilisation. Some viewers find the emotional depth limited, noting uneven character development across the ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 55

    STORY: The narrative is described as lively yet uneven; critics commend its forward momentum but point to rushed plotting and a contrived climax. Viewer comments echo this, with praise for an engaging first half contrasted by criticism of a sluggish second half, loose plot threads, and a feeling of an overall eyewash.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    SENSORY: The film’s audio‑visual elements receive strong approval, with many reviewers lauding Anirudh’s energetic soundtrack, crisp sound design, and impressive action sequences enhanced by effective lighting and colour work. While a few note occasional over‑production, the consensus highlights a cohesive sensory experience that amplifies the film’s mass‑appeal style.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    REWATCH: Audience sentiment tilts toward a one‑time, fan‑focused enjoyment rather than lasting repeat value. Positive comments emphasize the thrill of Rajinikanth’s screen presence and the film’s entertaining moments, while criticisms of uneven storytelling and underused characters suggest limited incentive for multiple viewings. Overall, the rewatch factor is modestly appealing to dedicated fans.

Plot

Petta Plot Summary

What happens in Petta from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Kaali, Rajinikanth, is a mysterious and deceivingly aged figure who takes on the job of a boys’ hostel warden at a college in Ooty. Inside this disciplined, intimate setting, a group of unruly final-year students dominates the dorms, led by Michael, Bobby Simha, the spoiled son of a local leader named Gnanam. Kaali keeps a steady, stern hand on the reins, putting a stop to Michael’s reckless antics and earning the enmity of the boy whose swagger seems to rule the place. Yet Kaali’s world expands beyond the campus walls when he forms a close bond with Anwar, an NRI hostelite who is in a relationship with Anu, the daughter of Mangalam, a pranic healer.

Full summary

The whole story of Petta, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Petta Box Office

Petta grossed $2 million worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$2M

International
$2M
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Petta?

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

Who plays the lead role of Kaali/Petta Velan in the film?

Cars

Cars in Petta

45 cars on screen, including the 1961 Hindustan Bedford J4 and the API Lambretta Li 150 S2.

All 45 cars
  • 1961 Hindustan Bedford J4 in Petta 1961 Hindustan Bedford J4 Main role
  • API Lambretta Li 150 S2 in Petta API Lambretta Li 150 S2 Important role
  • Custom Made 'Chhakda' in Petta Custom Made 'Chhakda' Important role
  • 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer in Petta 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Important role
Details

Petta Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “อย่าแหย่เสือแก่” and “O Administrador da Faculdade”.

Also known as
  • อย่าแหย่เสือแก่
  • O Administrador da Faculdade
  • 神勇佩塔
  • 終極舍監
  • Петта
  • خلف الأقنعة
  • 這個舍監不簡單
  • ペッタ! (テルグ語版)
  • פטה
  • Μην τα Βάζεις με τον Πέτα
  • पेट्टा

Seen Petta?

FAQ

Petta FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Petta?

Petta runs 2 hours 52 minutes (172 minutes).

When was Petta released?

Petta was released on January 10, 2019.

Who directed Petta?

Petta was directed by Karthik Subbaraj.

More films by Karthik Subbaraj

Who is in the cast of Petta?

Petta stars Rajinikanth as Petta 'Kaali' Velan, Bobby Simha as Michael and Simran as Mangalam, among 32 credited actors.

How much did Petta make at the box office?

Petta grossed $2 million worldwide.

Does Petta have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Petta in?

The original language of Petta is Tamil.

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