Cubes Entertainments’ Kattalan (dubbed from the Malayalam film of the same name; A) is an action film. It is the story of a vengeful transporter’s mission to dislodge a ruthless ivory kingpin as the head of the empire he built.
Maari Anna (Sunil) is an evil and spineless ivory dealer whose atrocities on the people of Anakolli village have made him a much hated man. The poor villagers bear his torture and high-handedness because he is very powerful. The villagers work for him, risking their lives to bring ivory tusks by killing elephants in the nearby forest, but they are always at the mercy of Maari Anna. On his part, Maari Anna sells the ivory tusks illegally and amasses a fortune. A rival, Eddy (Kabir Singh Duhan), challenges Maari Anna as he has revenge written all over himself because his father had died due to Maari Anna. Eddy has the support of police officer Nelson Nadar (Harishankar Narayanan). Desperate, Maari Anna hires the services of Antony (Antony Varghese), a master transporter. The same Antony, whom Maari Anna respects for his skills, turns against him when he he is at the receiving end of Maari’s selfish and self-centred stance.
The story is oft-repeated. It reminds of Pushpa: The Rise Part 1 but it is, nevertheless, fairly interesting. The screenplay, penned by Paul George, Joby Varghese and Jero Jacob, is fast-paced but gets dull at places. There is so much violence in the drama that families and ladies audience might not like it. Of course, the drama has masala for the masses. The second half of the drama is better than the first half. Dialogues are fairly good but don’t have the clapworthiness. They should’ve been extraordinary.
Antony Vargese does a very fine job as Antony. He looks handsome and acts with utmost confidence. Additionally, he has the right attitude for the role. Dushara Vijayan is so-so in a brief role as Lucy. She doesn’t get much scope. Sunil acts with effortless ease as Maari Anna. He makes his character hate-worthy, which is the need of the role. Kabir Singh Duhan looks smart and plays Eddy with conviction. Jagadeesh has his moments as Ali. Harishankar Narayanan shines in the role of SP Nelson Nadar. Anson Paul is natural as Stanley. Parth Tiwari is effective as Roby. Raj Tirandasu leaves his mark in the role of Maari 95. Siddique makes his presence felt as George. Hanan Shah is alright as Malik. Hipzster is okay as Alokah. Shon Joy is average as Mano. Sandeep Ravi Raj is so-so as Nadhu. Shanood Ebrahim (as Hakkim) and Shibin S. Raghav (as Marudhu) lend ordinary support. Shaji Shahid is fair as MLA Ishwar. Vijay Jacob is alright as minister Ilavarasu. Alphonse Puthren makes an impression in a cameo appearance as Mendis. Lokesh Kanagaraj is also nice in a cameo appearance as Leo Cabral. Niranjan T. Nithin is okay as young Eddy. Others pass muster.
Paul George’s direction is nice. Ravi Basrur’s music, with additional music by B. Ajanesh Loknath, is so-so. Lyrics are nothing to dance about. Sherif’s choreography is ordinary. Ravi Basrur’s background music is effective but it is often too loud. Renadive’s cinematography, with additional cinematography by Chandru Selvaraj and Sudeep Elamon, is first-rate. Action and stunt scenes (choreographed by Kecha Khamphakdee and Action Sandhosh) are thrilling, but it must also be said that there’s an overdose of gruesome violence. Sunil Das’ production designing is of a fine order. Shameer Muhammed’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is very good.
On the whole, Kattalan is a fair entertainer but there are some shortcomings which will come in the way of its business: lack of awareness among the Hindi film-going audience, lack of known faces in the cast, lack of novelty in subject, and lack of hit music. It will do fairly well mainly in cinemas patronised by the masses but not all over.
Released on 28-5-’26 at Maratha Mandir (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Filmastra Studios. Publicity: ordinary. Opening: dull despite Eid holiday. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak at many places.
