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Entertainment • Film

Kaala

Kaala is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed and co-written by Pa.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kaala (also marketed as Kaala Karikalan) is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed and co-written by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Dhanush under Wunderbar Films, with Lyca Productions involved in distribution. The film stars Rajinikanth as Kaala Karikalan, a Dharavi community leader who resists attempts to seize the neighbourhood’s land.

Plot

The film follows Kaala, a leader in Dharavi, as he tries to protect the land and residents from eviction by a powerful political figure and associated interests.

Production

Kaala was directed and co-written by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Dhanush. It was made under the Wunderbar Films banner, with Lyca Productions connected to distribution. Santhosh Narayanan composed the music, and Murali G. handled cinematography.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Rajinikanth, Nana Patekar, Huma Qureshi, Samuthirakani, Eswari Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil, and others.

Release and reception

The film was released on 7 June 2018 and has a runtime of 159 minutes. It is generally described as an action, drama, and crime film.

Key facts

  • Kaala is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action drama film starring Rajinikanth.
  • The film is directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Dhanush.
  • The story is set in Mumbai’s Dharavi neighbourhood and centres on a land conflict.
  • Santhosh Narayanan composed the music, and Murali G. handled cinematography.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kaala?
Kaala is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action drama film starring Rajinikanth as a community leader in Dharavi.
Who directed Kaala?
Kaala was directed and co-written by Pa. Ranjith.
Who stars in Kaala?
The cast is led by Rajinikanth, with Nana Patekar, Huma Qureshi, Samuthirakani, and Eswari Rao among the principal actors.
What is Kaala about?
It centres on Kaala Karikalan’s struggle to defend Dharavi’s residents and land from eviction and seizure.
When was Kaala released?
Kaala was released on 7 June 2018.
What genre is Kaala?
It is generally described as an action, drama, and crime film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaala_(2018_film)
    Supports: Title, year, language, director, cast, plot, production companies, marketing name, and storyline.
  2. The Indian Express — https://www.indianexpress.com/about/kaala/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, language, genre, cast, director, writer, producer, music, cinematography, production company, distribution, and box office.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kaala
    Supports: Director, producer, screenwriter, production company, genre, original language, release context, and runtime.
  4. StudioFlicks — https://www.studioflicks.com/movie/kaala/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, and plot description.