Cast
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Rajinikanth
as Karikaalan Vengaiyan 'Kaala'
Nana Patekar
as Haridev Abhayankar 'Hari Dhadha'
Samuthirakani
as Vaaliyappan
Easwari Rao
as Selvi Karikaalan
Huma Qureshi
as Zareena
Manikandan
as Lenin
Anjali Patil
as Charumathi 'Puyal'
Aruldoss
as MLA
Dhileban
as Selvam
Sayaji Shinde
as Minister
Sakshi Agarwal
as Karikaalan's Daughter-in-Law
Sampath Raj
as Vishnu Bhai
Ravi Kale
as Sunil
Pankaj Tripathi
as SP Pankaj Patil
Aravind Akash
as Shivaji Gaekwod Rao
Crew
Director
- Pa. Ranjith
Producer
- Dhanush
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Kaala examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Pa. Ranjith brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Kaala took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $20.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 166 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 196 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Kaala shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Dazed and Confused, which focuses more on action than character development, Kaala offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Earth and Samrat Prithviraj explore similar territory, Kaala stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 7, 2018
- Runtime: 2h 46m
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Revenue: $19,256,857
Where to Watch
