Kolla (2023 film)

Kolla
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySuraj Varma
Written by
  • Jasim Jalal
  • Nelson Joseph
Story byBobby–Sanjay
Produced byRajeesh K.V.
Starring
CinematographyRajavel Mohan
Edited byArju Benn
Music byShaan Rahman
Production
companies
Rajeesh Productions, Ravi Mathew Productions
Distributed byAyyappan Movies Release
Release date
  • 9 June 2023 (2023-June-09)[1]
Running time
123 minutes[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Kolla (transl. Robbery) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language heist film directed by Suraj Varma in his directorial debut and featuring Rajisha Vijayan and Priya Prakash Varrier in the lead roles.[3] It is written by Jasim Jalal and Nelson Joseph based on the story by Bobby–Sanjay. The film is loosely based on the 2008 Chelembra bank robbery.[4]

The film was announced in May 2022. Principal photography commenced the shooting in the same month in Ettumanoor and wrapped up in June 2022. The music was composed by Shaan Rahman, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Rajavel Mohan and Arju Benn.

Kolla was released in theatres on 9 June 2023.[5]

Plot

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Annie and Shilpa plan to open a beauty parlor in order to rob the co-operative bank next door. Pretending that they are renovating their parlor, the two women execute their plan with the help of Annie's father's friend Stephen.

The police inspector Farooq Rahman, who is investigating the bank robbery, is suspicious of Annie and Shilpa. His investigation leads to CI Stephen, who dies of a heart attack. Annie goes to the hiding place where Stephen was supposed to have hidden the money they had stolen, but finds it empty.

Annie keeps searching for the money, following hints from her conversations with Stephen as well as information she obtained from Stephen's wife. She eventually finds the money in a burial chamber at Thenmala Church.

Inspector Farooq is convinced that Annie and Shilpa were involved in the robbery and sets a trap to catch them. Meanwhile, another local thief, Stephen's brother-in-law, chases Annie and threatens her. She goes to Farooq’s houseto give a haircut to his niece. Farooq questions Annie cataches her in a lie. He asks her for half of the money in exchange for his silence. Annie agrees and gives him the money.

The next day, Farooq reveals Annie's involvement in the robbery, despite their agreement. Annie and Shilpa flee, but the police catch Shilpa and she reveals Annie's whereabouts. Annie is arrested.

The media praises Farooq, but he appears upset. In a flashback, it is revealed that Annie and Shilpa suspected that Farooq might cheat them, and they followed Farooq to find where he'd hidden his share of the money. They arranged for Shilpa to be arrested and give Farooq's share of the money to Annie. Three years later, Annie and Shilpa now work as café waitresses in a new cityand plan to rob a diamond shop near the café.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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The film was officially announced on 12 May 2022 at the Gokulam Convention Centre in Kaloor.[6] Sibi Malayil lit the Nilavilakku and launched the film's title.[6]

Filming

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Principal photography of the film began on 13 May 2022 in Ettumanoor.[7] The shooting took place in Ettumanoor, Kaipuzha, and Vayala.[8] The filming wrapped up on 23 June 2022.

Soundtrack

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Kolla
Soundtrack album by
Shaan Rahman
Released2023 (2023)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length7:13
LanguageMalayalam
LabelSaina Music
Shaan Rahman chronology
Neymar
(2023) 		Kolla
(2023) 		King of Kotha
(2023)

The songs are composed by Shaan Rahman.[9]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Aaraanu Naam"Vinayak SasikumarPriya Prakash Varrier3:58
2."The Heist Song"NelsonAathira Nair3:15
Total length:7:13

Release

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Theatrical

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The film was released in theatres on 9 June 2023 by Ayyappan Movies Release.[10][6]

Home media

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ManoramaMAX bought the digital distribution rights of the film.[11][12] The online streaming began on 27 July 2023.[13][14]

Reception

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Critical response

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Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTTPlay gave the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "While the heist and its planning are given limited time, it's what happens after one of them gets caught that makes the proceedings gripping."[15] Arjun Ramachandran of The South First gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Jasim Jalal and Nelson's screenplay keeps the film engaging, especially the cat-and-mouse game between the lead characters and cops."[16] Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Despite having an intriguing plot, Suraj Varma's Kolla disappointingly plunges into the depths of mediocrity due to the absence of a compelling and enthralling narrative."[17]

Shilpa Nair Anand of The Hindu wrote, "Kolla is a thriller which, despite a great story with more twists than a murukku, never reaches its full potential."[18] Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote, "The screenplay by Jasim Jalal and Nelson Joseph failed to do justice to Bobby-Sanjay's story. The twists were quite intriguing, but some of the scenes needed to be sharper to seem more convincing. Nevertheless, it was fascinating how some of the scenes were envisaged."[19]

References

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  1. ^ "'Kolla' release: Rajisha Vijayan's thriller to hit the big screens on THIS date". The Times of India. 12 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Kolla (2023) - Movie Reviews, Cast & Release Date". in.bookmyshow.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  3. ^ "'Kolla' trailer: Rajisha Vijayan and Priya Prakash Varrier starrer is a riveting thriller". The Times of India. 1 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  4. ^ 'കൊള്ള' - ചേലമ്പ്ര ബാങ്ക് കവർച്ചയുടെ സിനിമാ വേർഷൻ ['Kolla' - The cinematic version of Chelembra bank robbery] (Television production) (in Malayalam). 10 June 2023 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "Trailer of Rajisha-Priya Prakash's Kolla promises gripping heist thriller". The New Indian Express. 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Kolla | കൊള്ള (2023) - Mallu Release | Watch Malayalam Full Movies". Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  7. ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. "രജിഷ, പ്രിയ വാര്യർ ചിത്രം കൊള്ള". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Kolla | രജിഷ വിജയൻ, പ്രിയ വാര്യർ; മലയാള ചിത്രം 'കൊള്ള' ചിത്രീകരണം പൂർത്തിയായി". News18 Malayalam (in Malayalam). 25 June 2022. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  9. ^ "First Poster of Rajisha Vijayan, Priya Prakash Varrier's Kolla Released". News18. 6 May 2023. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Rajisha Vijayan starrer 'Kolla' to hit the big screens on June | Malayalam Movie News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Kolla OTT release date: When, where to watch Rajisha, Priya Varrier's heist film". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Kolla Malayalam Movie OTT Release Date - Which Platform Owned The Rights And When Start Streaming The Movie Online". 3 July 2023. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Rajisha Vijayan, Priya Varrier film 'Kolla' to start streaming on this OTT platform. Details here". OnManorama. 25 July 2023. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Upcoming South OTT Releases: Maamannan, Kolla, Regina And More | Full List". English Jagran. 24 July 2023. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  15. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (9 June 2023). "Kolla review: Taut, smart heist thriller could have been so much more". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  16. ^ Ramachandran, Arjun (10 June 2023). "Kolla review: Rajisha Vijayan-Priya Warrier's heist movie is a captivating watch with interesting twists and turns". The South First. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  17. ^ Suresh, Anandu (9 June 2023). "Kolla movie review: This Rajisha Vijayan-Priya Varrier starrer will make you yell at the screen for conspicuously missing good opportunities". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  18. ^ Nair Anand, Shilpa (9 June 2023). "'Kolla' movie review: Rajisha Vijayan, Priya Varrier lead an underwhelming thriller". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  19. ^ Alexander, Princy (9 June 2023). "'Kolla' review: Rajisha Vijayan, Priya Warrier's bank robbery film is pacy, but could have been sharper". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
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