Produced by Wayfarer Films owned by Dulquer Salmaan (Raju), this mass entertainer is directed by debutant Abhilash Joshiy, the son of veteran actor Joshiy.
The village of Kotha is set in three different periods 1986, 1996, and 1998 when it was ruled by gangsters. The first half is all about Raju’s life prior to 1986. He is also a football lover.
In the second half, as Raju returns to Kotha as Raju Madrasi, he has to deal with his childhood friend Kannan alias Kannan Bhai and the latter’s wife Manju besides the police.
In a market fight scene, there are several references to old film posters of the Tamil blockbuster Baasha (1995) and the Malayalam movie Spadikam (1995).
In the second half, some of the scenes involving Dulquer Salmaan appear to have been inspired by Mammootty’s gangster film Samrajyam (1990), for they bear many similarities.
Nyla Usha in a negative role as Manju is impressive. This is on par with her role in Porinju Mariyam Jose (2019). Aishwarya Lekshmi as Thara is good to watch.
The background music by Jakes Bejoy plays a pivotal role in elevating the film. Nimish Ravi’s cinematography aesthetically presents the fictional village of Kotha.