User reviews

The director's over-confidence shows in the first frame itself,with unnecessary VFX shots spread all over the film spoils the mood of the flick which is not upto the standards... A mono musical track and it's bgm is the soul of the movie which is well -placed into the movie...!!!

Vijay Antony is a natural performer though just a grey hair change out in makeup and his personal melancholic mood sets out a drawback to the film... Rithika Singh is just a blunt presence and does nothing to justify the role.... Camera work and bgm saves the movie from a major disaster ... Overall a one-time passable flick to run out of ur time.

Seriously! I am still in some bewilderment after watching this film. One thought remains: what nonsense was all the amazing set pieces for?!

Well, i liked Vidiyum Munn (2013) and it is still holds up as one of the good tamil films. The buzz around the Peter director's Kolai increased as the trailers, very intriguing and it was pretty good. Then dropped the peter interview of the director in many channels, it lowered my expectation since he is accustomed to mainstream cinema jargons and timelines. I then knew the film is gonna be a bit artificial and it turned out to be so damn true. It is so awfully bland, It's an utter disaster that the very style of the film which was the driving factor was unsurprisingly an overdose.

I swear the languid expectation of the trailers was replaced by disappointment. I know the art direction, cinematography deserves a mention, there are many fascinating sets which are feast for the eyes, otherwise I would quickly forget this film.

The plot is too basic and the treatment was so bad for an whodunit. A short 30 minutes duration would have been better. Avoid this film and go see Oppenheimer or Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare this weekend.

Why do movie makers use so much of CGI these days? I guess if they are making a Prime or Netflix movie they resort to CGI but this was just an overkill and even funny to watch at times. The production value is as worse than a TV serial which these days are made better than movies. For a Vijay Anthony movie this was a major disappointment. This is why Malayalam movies are on top of their game these days, they are as real as they get and the acting is professional and to the point. I wish movie makers focused more on quality than quantity. A very big let down by Vijay Antony. I'm sorry but can't give this movie more than 1.

Probably the worst ever Tamil Movie i saw after SURA(Was Much Better) . The CGI was so heavy it just killed the movie spirit along with bad BGM. I wonder how the Cinematographer amd Editor could take and edit such Non sense movie and i still wonder how Director and Producer approved it. The Short Films guys have better Cinematography skills.

Pls do not watch this movie as you will be wasting your precious time. I agree the concept choosen was good,But Cinematography, Editing, BGM and even VJ Anthony acting never made an impact on this movie. I saw IMDB rating as 5.3 just logged in to give this movie a 1 star. (Since no option to have negative rating).

This movie is such a pleasant surprise, I have no hesitancy in highly recommend it. It combines well developed characters, a great plot, energetic music, high level production, and fun cinematic angles/tricks to make a fabulous "who done it". Even if Indian/foreign movies & subtitles are not your thing, this movie carries a universal appeal that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and have you leaving the theater with a smile. Actually the subtitles make it more fun, and they even throw lots of English lines. It's a surprisingly good-time movie, and you'll be glad that you took a chance on this non-mainstream movie.

"Kolai" stands tall as an exemplary thriller that masterfully weaves a web of suspense, intrigue, and sheer cinematic brilliance. This film is a gripping tour de force that immerses its audience in a world of mystery, leaving us on the edge of our seats and craving more with each passing scene.

From the very first frame, "Kolai" establishes its prowess in storytelling. The plot is a labyrinthine tapestry of twists and turns, skillfully unraveled to keep the viewer guessing until the very end. The screenplay's meticulous attention to detail and its ability to keep the audience engaged, even during quieter moments, showcase the exceptional writing that drives this thriller.

What truly sets "Kolai" apart is its directorial finesse. The pacing is artfully executed, allowing tension to build gradually before reaching its crescendo. The director's use of cinematography to enhance the storytelling is noteworthy; the play of shadows, camera angles, and visual symbolism all contribute to the film's immersive experience.

In conclusion, "Kolai" isn't just a movie; it's a triumph of storytelling, a symphony of suspense, and a testament to the power of cinema to transport and captivate. This thriller pushes the boundaries of the genre, leaving a lasting impression and redefining what it means to create an enthralling cinematic experience. If you're a fan of psychological suspense and intricate narratives, "Kolai" is an absolute must-watch that will leave you craving more even after the credits roll.

I didn't mentioned any particular scene or twist, people you should experience the journey of kolai.

Wishing you all the best, Director Balaji sir, and Vijay Antony sir! Looking for more movies in your combination.

Director Balaji 's Hollywood style of filmmaking is intriguing. It gave a fresh feel to the viewers, also sound , art work & camera work garners a special attention till the very end. If you are a suspense genre fan, this KOLAI is the right choice for a wholesome entertainment. Short runtime is also a added advantage for this whodunit film. Vijay Antony & rest of the cast were seen in kingpin roles. Plot is simple but the way of presentation is classy & keeps us engaged throughout. As few flaws such as moderate second half, lacks twist & turns at regular intervals. Overall, a decent crime thriller loaded with solid technical aspects.

Credits to director for bringing a Hollywood pattern to Kollywood, actor Vijay Antony essayed a neat role as a seasoned detective. High points in this film were music, visuals & art direction. Short runtime with Vijay Antony screen presence makes this movie an interesting one. Rest of the cast had less scope, but they depicted a decent job on screen. Too many songs in this intense story is the short coming. Need to trim songs in this mystery tale, so it adds engagement to the storyline. Newbie Siddartha & Meenakshii are seen in very good characters, also their characters are neatly written. On the whole, this murder mystery is a decent watch mainly for the rich visuals.

Clearly not for tamil audience !

I just watch this movie KOLAI on Amazon Prime, it's just a masterpiece, incredible !!!

Every scene are awesome, just love it ! Thanks for making such movie, want to watch and rewatch again and again... it's beautifully shot, the sets remind me of old movies and every detail has been taken care of, for an amazing viewing experience.

I encourage you to go see this film, get off the beaten track and immerse yourself in the universe that the director has created. Let yourself be guided....

Finally a film that goes beyond the standards of our industry.

Thank you so much, Hats off🙏🏽

It's a WOW investigation movie much better than any other. Very well psychologically handled to solve a serial killer. Bravo to the director and his team. The song lyrics is amazingly very touchy. Well sang by Sid Sriram.. Not to miss a big hats off to Vijay Antony, very subtle acting.. No action pack required at all with police involved case. Just love it.. The opening or the intro was awesome with a opera song at the background along with a murder scene of just black and white slow motion scene. Added with old melody but with Tango dance, what a combination. The cinematography well done.

I will promote this movie to my friends.. Thank you KOLAI team. Just love it.

It's a very slickly made movie. It's Intriguing and kept the pace. The movie stuck to the plot closely. The story stayed within its needed boundaries...the place of murder, the policeman's cabin, some suspect interrogation and the small hospital scenes to bring out Vijay Antony's state of mind. Would have diluted if there was any unnecessary drama added. Very Sherlock Holmes's or Agatha Christie styled. Vijay Antony portrayed a lot without much dialogue. Great direction by Balaji Kumar. A stylish movie after a long time. All characters played their roles very understated and crisp... A great watch !

Kolai was a great watch with the narrative being in a unique style and the play of scenes and timelines where the plot goes back and forth is flawless . The cast was used again in a manner different from how we have seen them before which adds to the charm.

The way the emotions and possible scenarios that played in the detective's mind was shown as a scene to the viewers was beautiful.. The subtle hints dropped at the apt places and the execution of crime unveiling itself like untying of a difficult knot was a pleasure to watch ..

This was holding a classy style of how the story was said to us - the viewers...

Truly a tale not to be missed !!!

A fine classy thriller for the ones who believe in good cinema. The pace & writing will make you feel as if you are a part of this investigation. The VFX is of international quality , the color grading is just perfect & BGM syncs well with the mood. The camera work is impeccable. Vijay Antony is different from what he does always. The Director's vision, narrative clarity, shot taking, treatment, detailing is in a class of its own. Every single actor is remarkable and the technicians behind the screen too have excelled. If you love intelligent films and filmmakers, then this is for you. Cheers!

It's a rarity to see a kollywood film made with as much precision as Kolai. The immaculate direction, intricate set design, pristine cinematography and seamless VFX creates a diegetic world that is both retro and yet postmodern, surely a fine artistic touch from one of the few auteurs of Tamil cinema, Mr. Balaji Kumar. It's easy to mistake this detective film to be a thriller, but Mr. Kumar has no qualms mentioning this film is not a thriller, but rather a drama. A drama of perspectives and how when a singular event is narrated from various points of view, the overall picture changes. One needs to see the larger picture to understand the nuances not just of this film, but also in life.

This movie is meant for those who can watch slow and beautiful movies. If you are a fan of Vikram 2, KGF 2, RRR type of tush tush gun movies, you will not like it.

This is one of the best movies I have seen in the recent past. The scenes were spectacular to watch and the movie had a wonderful plot.

I was kept at the edge of the seat until near the climax. The creativity of the director is to be much appreciated.

Meenakshi Chowdry is beautiful. Rithika Singh is much of an empathetic police officer. Vijay Antony carries the movie in most part. Some scenes were expected but as mentioned in the begining of the movie, it were taken from public domain work.

I am very happy with this movie.