Malayalam film Kattalan, starring Antony Varghese, Sunil and Dushara Vijayan, was directed by Paul George and released in theatres on May 28. The film opened to negative reviews from both audiences and critics despite carrying decent expectations before its release.
The film generated good buzz because of its star cast and the cameo appearance by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Many movie lovers believed Kattalan had the potential to become a major Pan-Indian success. However, the final theatrical result turned out to be completely different.
After watching the film, many viewers criticised its overall execution. While Antony Varghese’s performance and a few action sequences received appreciation, audiences felt the screenplay was weak. The poor word of mouth affected its theatrical run, and the film eventually ended up as a box office disaster.
Following its disappointing theatrical performance, Kattalan premiered on ManoramaMAX on August 13. Many viewers who skipped the theatrical release watched the film on OTT and began sharing their opinions across social media platforms.
Some movie lovers expected the film to find a second life on OTT, as several box office failures have gained appreciation after digital release. They believed the action sequences could attract a new audience. However, the response on OTT has remained largely negative.
Many OTT viewers have criticised the screenplay, calling it average and poorly structured. While some felt the first half was watchable, they described the second half as disappointing. Several viewers also said the lengthy fight scenes slowed the film and tested their patience.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s cameo has also drawn criticism from online audiences. Many viewers felt his appearance added little to the story and failed to leave a lasting impression. As a result, even his presence could not improve the film’s reception.
With negative reviews continuing after its OTT release, Kattalan has not received the turnaround many expected. It remains to be seen whether the film can attract more viewers on ManoramaMAX or continue struggling despite its digital release.
