Jasim Jalal and Nelson's screenplay keeps the film intriguing, especially the cat-and-mouse game between Annie-Shilpa and the police.
A poster of the film 'Kolla'. (Supplied)
Kolla (Malayalam)
Debutant Suraj Varma’s Kolla (robbery) is a heist story.
The director efficiently crafted the film the story of which has been penned by noted scriptwriters Bobby and Sanjay.
An important highlight of Kolla is the central characters played by Rajisha Vijayan (Annie) and Priya Prakash Warrier (Shilpa). Interesting twists and turns are the other major highlights.
Though we have seen Sapthamashree Thaskara (2014) and Banking Hours (2012), which have bank robbery as their central subject, Kolla has a different modus operandi.
‘Kolla’ is touted to be a thriller. (Supplied)
Kolla has an intriguing written screenplay by Jasim Jalal and Nelson. Annie and Shilpa open a new beauty parlour near a cooperative bank in a village near Ettumanoor in the Kottayam district.
But they have some other big plans. They are setting up the beauty parlour as a cover to execute their original plan — robbing the bank.
The bank’s locker is located upstairs in the beauty parlour. Annie and Shilpa are not the usual women characters of mainstream cinema. They are the masterminds behind the bank robbery.
Stephen (Alencier) helps them in completing the task of robbing the bank’s locker and he hides it in a place, as per his plan. Then the police investigate the case.
Farooq Rahman (Vinay Forrt), Circle Inspector of Police, investigates the case. The shrewd cop has his own way of investigation. The cat-and-mouse game between Annie-Shilpa and the police makes Kolla an interesting watch.
Vinay Forrt, Priya Warrier and Rajisha Vijayan in ‘Kolla’. (Supplied)
Kolla’s script makes sure that Annie and Shilpa get the confidence of the naive villagers.
But the duo manages to get help from Basil (Shebin Benson), a goods auto driver who needs money as he is already ready to elope with his lover. He helps them in transporting the robbed jewellery and cash.
During their investigation, the police get in touch with Stephen and Basil. Till the interval, the movie keeps the audience hooked to their seat.
After the interval, the investigation part turns stronger with the police getting an idea of the culprits.
Annie and Stephen share a good relationship with each other. Stephen serves imprisonment for Annie after the latter involves in a tragic incident in the past. However, these parts aren’t explored more.
Shilpa’s and Annie’s past is mentioned by the cops — that they lived together in a girls’ shelter. Annie and Shilpa’s motive behind the bank robbery also isn’t explored.
‘Kolla’ is based on a robbery in Ettumanoor. (Supplied)
Kolla is a heist thriller in all its ways. Annie’s efforts to know where Stephen has hidden the robbed gold turn out to be a hilarious moment.
She disguises herself as a nun and visits Stephen’s wife at their house.
On noticing the police who reach Stephen’s home at the same time, as part of the investigation, Annie escapes through the fields nearby. Her escape scene is one of the best in the film.
CI Farooq plays a double game in the investigation. He makes a deal with Annie and Shilpa. What happens to this deal is another twist.
The climax portions keep the pace of Kolla and what happens to the two women is important.
If you have seen the Tamil movie Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithal (2020), Kolla also has the same modus operandi. If everything is told, it’d be a major spoiler!
Is the case closed and the lost jewellery recovered, are the police sincere in their investigation and are the culprits punished are some of the interesting points that keep you engaged throughout.
Kolla has some fine performances by the lead actresses Rajisha Vijayan and Priya Warrier.
Vinay Forrt as cop in ‘Kolla’. (Supplied)
Rajisha Vijayan is doing crime thrillers now; she excelled in Pakalum Paathiravum (2023) even though the movie didn’t meet expectations. She is an asset in Kolla.
In the case of Priya Warrier, this is an important movie in her career.
In Live (2023), she played a soft-spoken teenager. But in Kolla, she plays a thief. It is a smart way for an actor to do negative roles that have such importance.
Vinay Forrt’s Farooq is a cakewalk role for the young actor who has proved his calibre with his notable performances before. He portrays well how a cop changes according to situations.
Alencier as Stephen gets a major role to play.
Alexander Prasanth’s role as Stephen’s co-brother could have been explored more as he is an amazing actor.
Shebin Benson as the auto driver is too good. This is unlike his brief appearances in previous films.
Kollam Sudhi, who died in a road accident recently, appeared as a mason.
Jeo Baby’s as cop Victor does justice to his role.
Music director Shaan Rahman as Superintendent of Police is a surprise cast. He plays his role without much pressure. He also composed the music for Kolla.
In all, Kolla is a smart heist movie with some fine performances by Rajisha Vijayan and Priya Prakash Warrier.
(Views expressed are personal.)
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