User reviews

This movie is fast-paced and entertaining. I was surprised that this action movie was clean, sharp and really worth watching. Most of the time the Tamil fighting scenes are very long and irritating.

On a positive note, Ajith Kumar's performance is outstanding and I'm glad he tried something different. But, he did not really seem to enjoy playing this character as much as Shahrukh Khan did in Don. I wish Ajith gave the character just a little bit more personality but other than that he was excellent. Nayantara was not bad. This is the first time I have seen her in an action movie and I think she did a pretty good job although she did not get a lot of screen time. All the other supporting actors and actresses really held this movie together and I think they did a really nice job.

The story line is only problem. The script is very similar to the Hindi version at the beginning of the movie and lost the sparkle. However in the end, the movie was nicely tied up and surprising.

The songs are okay. There were nicely spaced out through out the movie. The theme song played throughout the movie is catchy and so is "My name is Billa."

Overall, I was expecting a bit more originality even though it is remake of Don and Billa. There should have been just a few more unexpected twists to really hold on the viewer's interest.

I rate this movie 7/10.

BILLA - One of the most important films in Tamil cinema.....

Such a stylish film in Cinematography, Making & Costume designing.

Film's a trend-setter.....

Ajith's most stylish film....

Crispier script of all languages versions of DON & BILLA. (Amitabh, Rajini, Sharukh, Ajith, Prabhas) Yuvan has just rocked in the BGM.

And, Vishnuvardhan's best......

On the flip side, Songs are just average.

Totality is missing in the film......

Climax could have been better with any other twist.

Vishnuvardhan's Billa is the remake of the yesteryear blockbuster Billa which starred Rajini in the lead role. The yesteryear version was made as a stylish gangster film and just like that version, Vishnuvardhan made the film a notch higher by making it abroad. The film is touted to be the most stylish film ever made in Tamil Cinema at the time of the release. Billa seems to be a well-packaged action thriller and the quality of the film is another factor to pull the audience to watch the film. In this version, we have Ajith playing the dual roles effortlessly with his stylish mannerisms. It's right to say that Billa is the right film at the right time of his career. Ajith needed a strong film to revive his career after a strike of failures and Billa seems to be the film that has the perfect elements to work for his larger-than-life star image. Ajith shows so much versatility with his acting prowess in the two roles showing remarkable distinctions. If David Billa is stylish then as Velu, he is an entertainer. I simply loved the scenes which feature Ajith and Prabhu in the latter half after David Billa's death. Billa has a strong star cast and each and every one of them has at least something to do. Nayanthara has a backstory whereas Namitha is Billa's girlfriend. Rahman plays a pivotal role while Prabhu is another strong supporting actor in the film. Well, speaking about Nayanthara, she has taken a bold decision in acting in this film which doesn't have the conventional love track but instead a much different purpose. Nayanthara hasn't done a role that is out of her comfort zone until Billa happened. On the other side, Prabhu shines pretty much with his given role. Billa becomes much more special for its brilliant cinematography by Nirav Shah and the evergreen musical score by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Developing more on the musical side, Yuvan Shankar Raja's background score is a major pillar of strength in this stylish action film. As a filmmaker, Vishnuvardhan has perfectly made the film while giving the right importance to the original content and presenting it on a much grand scale. Vishnuvardhan doesn't rely much on the usual commercial format despite having some of the trademark elements to create the momentum for Ajith's star image. It's true that Billa is a film that celebrates a star because the film depends on his larger-than-life image. Vishnuvardhan has played a huge part in transforming Ajith in this film. Well, compared to his previous films, Ajith looked way more stylish and smart in this film and Vishnuvardhan has made it tailor-made for Ajith which works big time. Another important factor in Billa is that there are fewer dialogues and much more actions which keep the film engaged and tighter. Despite being a strong film, Billa doesn't have connectivity with the audience because the Hollywood style treatment distances them from the film. The climax seems to be rushed a bit which could have been much better. Overall, Billa is definitely one of the most stylish films ever made in Tamil Cinema.

Hello friends

Billa was the only south Indian film that was selected for cannes film festival in the year 2007.So guess how much impact it created among all over the world.Its really a fantastic movie i ever seen .Most stylish film ever in the history of south Indian films.Its almost like Hollywood movie.The way music performed by Yuvan Shankar Raja was superb.The theme music was excellent .It even catched many peoles mind. Just imagine that the movie is the third remake of Don after King Khan.Even though story was known to everybody , the way film was directed made people to see the movie with more eagerness.Also repeated audience made the film a grand success

The movie has too many flaws and just too much style for style's sake. The director focus on presentation aspects seems to have had its effect on the story and plot.

Ajith looks good but thats hardly enough for a good action movie. Nayanthara attempts a macho look which does suit her at times but Namitha is an embarrassment.

There are a few positives though, a few daring stunts were well done and the costumes have been carefully chosen. But the movie fails to build on its solid base. This could have been a modern version of a compelling classic but for Billa's fans this was a disappointment.

Billa was superb and most stylish ever made in tamil film industry.So guess how much impact it created among all over the world.Its really a fantastic movie i ever seen .Most stylish film ever in the history of south Indian films.Its almost like Hollywood movie.The way music performed by Yuvan Shankar Raja was superb.The theme music was excellent .It even catched many peoles mind. Just imagine that the movie is the third remake of Don after King Khan.Even though story was known to everybody , the way film was directed made people to see the movie with more eagerness.Also repeated audience made the film a grand success

I saw this movie for Vishnu Vardan without any expectations. And, I honestly couldn't believe it saying myself. It's a good movie, though could have made better. I am still trying to figure out if it is really Ajith's movie. Usually, his movies sucks. This movie is by far his best works. The director had tried to make this movie in Hollywood style, I guess. This movie has no romance and no comedy. A complete action packed thriller, it is. I feel there are three unnecessary songs. They could have been avoided though. Then it might have been better.

For others who couldn't accept this movie, don't compare it with the old Billa. I haven't seen the old one and honestly, I don't plan to as Rajini Kanth is the worst actor. He's all about style. You guys accept whatever Rajini Kanth does, but you can't this remake ? Honestly, if you can accept Rajini Kanth to come back alive from his death then, this movie is 10 times far better.

The costume of Nayantara is the costume of Tom Rider. Some of the stunts are copied from here and there. The theme song is really good. The director succeeded in keeping the suspense till the end. The movie was gripping but not up to Hollywood standard.

Maybe in the future good movies might come. I still couldn't believe that this is really Ajith's movie.

My vote, 6.4/10

First of all, I've got to say Ajith Kumar's acting was top-notch. Frankly, among other's from Amitabh, Rajni, SRK, Prabhas, Ajith has given the best version of Don.

The cool, suave, yet menacing as well as electrifying personality which was carried practically by Ajith throughout the film.

His definition of style made Sharukh looks like a joke. Ajith's good looks, style, restrained acting, easily makes SRK pale in comparison.

Most peoples that bad-mouth the film are SRK fans that simply felt threatened over Ajith's astounding acting performance.

Yeah, truly. What does Bollywood guys do? They attempt to act, called it as acting, trash.

Here, in Kollywood, pure talents are ruling the roost. Ajith Kumar is one. A gem.

I'm a huge fan of the original movie starring Rajini... Rajini's charisma and style worked two decades ago. But in this remake While trying to be stylish, the actors look like clowns and make you laugh. The movie gives us an idea of how good the original was and how bad the present commercial movies have become. I don't know how long will the directors make movies like this that are an absolute waste of time and money. They gotta understand that dressing in black suits and wearing sunglasses does not say 'cool' anymore. There is hardly a scene that is somewhat believable. Ajith, who is hugely talented, should look for roles that brings out his talent rather than the heroic image that he is trying to portray.

Hello friends

Billa was the only south Indian film that was selected for cannes film festival in the year 2007.So guess how much impact it created among all over the world.Its really a fantastic movie i ever seen .Most stylish film ever in the history of south Indian films.Its almost like Hollywood movie.The way music performed by Yuvan Shankar Raja was superb.The theme music was excellent .It even catched many peoles mind. Just imagine that the movie is the third remake of Don after King Khan.Even though story was known to everybody , the way film was directed made people to see the movie with more eagerness.Also repeated audience made the film a grand success.Superb in action and stylish in tamil film industry

The movie was good. Ajith acted very stylish in the movie. Songs and BGM were also good in the movie. Fight scenes in the movie were fantastic in the movie.

What a film and what an acting????. Each and every scene in the film exemplifies that it's completely in a trend setting mannerism. From top to bottom of the film ajith's acting should be praised along with prabhu and other co stars. The main highlight able thing in this film is that all scenes have been tried in a specific stylish way which you mustn't have experienced before in kollywood cinema.

Plus points : Style and overall performances.

enjoyable songs.

Good action choreography.

Good screenplay.

Good climax.

Minus point : Movie could have been lengthier.

In conclusion i would like to claim this movie as stylish entertainer which shouldn't be missed for any reason.

This has to be the best remake film and maybe the only one that is successful till date. Many have tried to remake old classics like Thillu Mullu, Murattu Kaalai, Maapillai, etc and majority have failed miserably. Vishnuvardhan is the only one that has used it right and made an extraordinary stylish film. While he did retain the same screenplay as the 1980 version, the making was definitely on a different level and he definitely succeeded in putting his own flavor in the film. It felt like a local Tamil film remade into a Hollywood film (excluding the songs). Though Rajinikanth did the original, it felt like it was tailor made for Ajith. Yuvan has also elevated the film a lot as well. One of the best Tamil original remakes in Tamil Cinema.

First Big B's Don, then Rajnikanth's Billa in Tamil, then SRK-Farhan Akthar (of Rock On! fame) rocked Diwali 2006 with a remastered and slicker Don, and now....Vishnuvardhan's Billa. Vishnu's previous work, Pattiyal was excellent and I was looking forward to seeing how he would handle it.

Too bad it sucked to the core. As much as I loved Ajith (After Kireedom, he proved he could act among other crappies like Rajnikanth and Vijay) he was not bad but definitely could be much better. SRK had feeling to it, here I was expecting a "bam" performance from Thala, but he passed muster from frame one till the end.

Prabhu looked tired and uncomfortable as he's overweight and he well could give competition to Namitha, another overweight actress who still thinks she can shill the Tamil audience with her "rice balls". Nayantara lacked any skill of acting and carries off the film with one single expression, frowns. Hell with her bikini crap, she is one of the major reasons why this film wasn't up to Farhan Akthar's version. Dear god, why did Raju Sundaram pair up these two for Aegan (A supposed remake of SRK's Main Hoon Naa)?

Rahman is too loud while the rest of the actors are adequate. The main problem from frame one of this movie is that Vishnu tried really hard to mock and imitate SRK's Don. You can thank the Localization that is Malaysia for doing that. Another problem is that since the film lacks the brilliant climax execution that SRK's Don had was not here. And also, Arjun Rampal's role, JJ was cut from this version being nothing but a Pen Drive (Thumb Drive.) Music is also another sore point. Barring the My Name is Billa remix, the rest of the songs lack any sense of repetition. Also, the songs were seemingly forced for the formulaic Tamil audience's sake.

So overall, 5/10. 5 for Ajith's performance. Not his best but not his worst. Also, I highly recommend SRK's Don.

Thala totally nailed it . He is the saviour of this movie . If any other hero have acted it would be a flop . Then YSR music is best theme of all billa and Don series combined . Even if you watch this movie after 20 years you will wonder if this movie was released in 2007 due to its high quality

well lets see..first of all its a ajith starring movie..secondly its a remake of the 1980 blockbuster film starring Rajnikanth..these things made huge impact on the expectations of tamil fans..the disappointing news is this film goes down the hole where all the trash remakes lies..

lets go down by the order..the first one to be blamed is ajith..i was sorely disappointed with his acting..he doesn't even delivers a good dialogue in this movie..his dancing was horrible as usual..i think he has to get some basic acting and dancing skills..the only good thing in this movie was its music, which was blemished by the very presence of ajith in the screen.

the second one to be blamed was Nayanthara..i gotto tell you, she is totally unfit to perform what priyanka chopra done in don(2006)..i thought nayanthara was doing a spoof of the original movie..

the third culprit to make this one as a horror show was the director himself VishnuVardhan..what is he trying to make, a comedy show?..this is a remake film, he can copy everything from the original movies..then what is the problem in making this a better one?..after all the whole point in remaking a film is to make it better..but in this case the 1980 movie starring rajnikanth was a gem of a movie compared to this terrible remake..nothing in this movie was nice except the music..the action sequences was so damn interesting that i was asleep the whole time..

summing up all the things, this movie is a total waste of time and money..i give this a 5 on 10..

It's been awhile since I've gone to a movie and gotten such a terrible headache.

Since Faran Akthar remade Don with success, Vishnu Vardhan thought that he could remake Billa and have just as much success. Wrong! Even without comparing the 2 movies, (Billa and Billa 07) I still say Billa 07 was terrible. It was terrible not only as a remake, but a movie.

Vishnu Vardhan was confused on how to direct this movie. The scenes were choppy, and sometimes it felt like it didn't fit together. What was supposed to remain a secret for suspense was told in the beginning, and what needed to be told to help with the audience's understanding wasn't.

Ajith Kumar didn't act. He was just there. You couldn't tell the difference between him as Velu and him as Don. He also looked like a skeleton in this movie.

None of the ladies could act (though none had a role big enough to show great acting ability in) and honestly, they all looked fat. The costume designer was terrible!

I didn't like the songs. They had too much of that nauseous drumbeat.

Overall, it's a movie to skip. Everything about the movie just yells "terrible." Don't waste your money.

This film is perhaps a fast paced remake of the Hindi Don, but it's not that good. They have borrowed ideas from both films- the Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh flicks. But still after a while it takes a unique turn and proceeds differently.

Story is basically similar to the Hindi flicks - an innocent conman is appointed by the police to impersonate an international criminal (who has been killed by police)because he is a look-alike, in order to infiltrate the gang and reach the top leader.

Ajith's and Prabhu's acting is cool, music is good, some stunts are good but nothing like the Hindi flicks.

The songs are all dumb really,the females are just dancing around. Not much of logic in the film.

Watch it for fun only.