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Kaduva
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShaji Kailas
Written byJinu V. Abraham
Produced bySupriya Menon
Listin Stephen
StarringPrithviraj Sukumaran
Vivek Oberoi
Samyuktha Menon
CinematographyAbinandhan Ramanujam
Edited byShameer Muhammed
Music byJakes Bejoy
Production
companies
Prithviraj Productions
Magic Frames
Distributed byMagic Frames
Release date
  • 7 July 2022 (2022-07-07)
Running time
154 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Box office₹50 crore[1][2]

Kaduva (transl. Tiger) is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language masala film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by Jinu V. Abraham and produced by Prithviraj Productions and Magic Frames. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, alongside Vivek Oberoi, Arjun Ashokan, Samyuktha Menon, Alencier Ley Lopez, Baiju Santhosh and Kalabhavan Shajohn. Set in 1990s, Kaduva revolves around an ego war between Kaduvakunnel Kuriyachan, an arrogant businessman and IG Joseph Chandy.

Principal photography took place from April 2021 to March 2022 at Pala, Erattupetta, Vandiperiyar, Mundakkayam and Ernakulam. Jakes Bejoy composed the soundtrack and film score, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Abinandhan Ramanujam and Shameer Muhammed respectively.

Kaduva was released on 7 July 2022 to mixed reviews from critics and became the third highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2022.

Plot

[edit]

In the late 1990s, Kaduvakunnel Kurian Koruthu alias Kuriyachan "Kaduva", a wealthy and arrogant businessman in Pala, is brought to the district jail in Kottayam, where a murder attempt is made on him by three goons from Kottarakkara sub-jail under the orders of IG Joseph Chandy alias Ousepputty, but Kaduva defeats them. Before getting arrested, Kaduva was living a happy life with his family consisting of his wife Elsa and children Tessa, Eva and Chacko. However, Kaduva, due to his arrogance, had an ego-war with Joseph by speaking bad about Joseph's son, who has down syndrome, resulting Joseph to dislike Kaduva. When Joseph's mother Theruthi Chedathi lied that a piano was gifted to the church's perverted priest Fr. Robin Poovampura, instead of the church, Kaduva insults Joseph's late father Karikandhathil Chandichayan, making Joseph and Theruthi Chedathi to swear vengeance on Kaduva for the humiliation.

Joseph swore vengeance against Kaduva and transfers all the cops in Pala and appoints SI Dominic and new officers to replace them. Dominic already had a grudge on Kaduva as his father Benjamin was thrashed by Kaduva earlier. Joseph bought land that belonged to an American family, which was sold by Kaduva, and closes down his bar. With his influence, Joseph issues a search warrant on Kaduva's house. On his way back home, Kaduva was stopped by ASI Johny Antonio, who tried arresting Kaduva in an arms licence case, but Kaduva thrashed them and was subsequently surrendered. Kaduva's bar licence gets revoked due to his alleged involvement in spirit smuggling.

After narrating his past, Kaduva is released two weeks later and learns that his father's Ambassador car has been seized by Benjamin and that Tessa has fractured her leg. Tessa secretly tells him that Robin had caused her injury and attempted to molest Elsa. When Tessa tried intervening, Robin pushed her down the stairs. Tessa makes Kaduva promise not to cause any problems. Kaduva meets his friend Victor and learns that Dominic had thrashed him as he was about to file a complaint against Benjamin and other officers to the DGP.

Meanwhile, Ananthanathan is ousted from his CM post due to his corrupt activities, which comes into limelight. It is revealed that Kaduva had met his sister Leena's classmate Sunny in prison, where he learns that the evidence linking the politician's illegal activities are with Francis Paul and Kunjithomman. After his release, Kaduva, with Sunny's help, makes a deal with Francis and Thomman to provide the video evidence of the party's corruption in exchange for money and leadership changes in the party, to which they agree. Due to the deal, Kaduva had sold some of his estate. After Thomman becomes the CM and Sunny's release from prison, Kaduva brutally thrashes Robin and throws him into the church's well. Kaduva also makes Thomman to issue an order to freeze the promotion of Joseph to ADGP due to multiple accusations against him.

Kaduva thrashes Dominic and retrieves his father's Ambassador car. Ananthanathan learns that there will be a raid in his house by the CVC and asks Joseph to transport the goods to a safe place. Joseph attempts to transports the goods to his plantation in Anakkara, only to be thwarted by Kaduva. The goods are discovered and Joseph gets suspended. Enraged, Joseph hires a goon from a mental asylum to kill Kaduva at a church festival, but Kaduva manages to thrash him and his goons to death, where he fights Joseph and defeats him. Joseph is later arrested on charges of corruption. Kaduva also blackmails Thomman and Paul for a lifetime commitment when he shows them the video of the meeting between him and them. Whilst leaving for prison, Joseph tells Kaduva that their feud has not finished and promises to meet him soon, to which Kaduva agrees.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Kaduva was officially announced on 16 October 2019 on Prithviraj Sukumaran's birthday, to be directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Jinu V. Abraham, along with a poster featuring Prithviraj captioned "inspired from a true story".[3] Jointly produced by Prithviraj's Prithviraj Productions and Listin Stephen's Magic Frames.[4] Abraham said, although the film is inspired by a true story, it constitutes only five percent of the film and rest is fictional, which is set in 1990s. He first narrated the screenplay to Prithviraj, who suggested Shaji Kailas' name as director and brought him on board. The film was expected to begin production in March 2020 as soon as Prithviraj completes Aadujeevitham.[5]

Prithviraj plays the character of Kaduvakunnel Kuryachan, a young planter from a Christian family in Pala. Prithviraj said, though he received the screenplay only in early 2019 he had heard about the character even before that. Prithviraj was filming for Driving Licence when he called Shaji Kailas for directing the film. It was after Shaji Kailas agreed to do the film Prithviraj and Listin decided to produce it.[6] Shooting which was scheduled to begin somewhere in mid-2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[7] In June that year, an untitled film to be directed by Mathews Thomas, produced by Tomichan Mulakuppadam, and starring Suresh Gopi was announced, which bears the same character name Kaduvakunnel Kuruvachan.[8] This prompted Abraham to file a case against them at District Court, Ernakulam alleging plagiarism. The court stayed its production and promotional activities as Abraham's screenplay was registered under copyright law.[9] Beside character name, promotional materials of SG250 (working title) also bears similarity to what is depicted in Kaduva's poster, said Abraham. The initial title he found for Kaduva was Kaduvakunnel Kuruvachan and the screenplay was also registered under that title, it was changed after producer Stephen asked him to choose a shorter title. Abraham said Mathews had worked under him as an assistant director and had known him since 2011, with whom he had discussed stories, including Kaduva.[10]

In October 2020, upholding the order of District Court, the High Court of Kerala gave clearance to Kaduva to proceed with production while restricting SG250 from making a film unless they create a new character and make major changes in the screenplay.[11] A plea challenging the stay order of District Court was filed by the makers of SG250 (officially titled Ottakkomban), but it was dismissed by the Supreme Court of India in April 2022.[12]

A petitioner, Kuruvinakunnel expressed doubt as whether Kaduva and SG250 are based on his life. Clarifying that, Shaji Kailas said it was Abraham who came to him with the screenplay which he originally wrote for another director, and Kaduva is not based on Kuruvinakunnel's life and Abraham's Kuruvachan is an imaginary character who also happens to be a planter.[13][14] The District Court s quashed the petition and questioned the intentions of the petitioner in filing a case just before the release of the movie.

Casting

[edit]

Prithviraj said that they shortlisted several names for the character of Joseph Chandy, and at one time considered Biju Menon for the role, but since both Prithviraj and Menon has done similar roles in Ayyappanum Koshiyum they ruled out Menon and ultimately zeroed in Vivek Oberoi as per majority opinion. There were rumours that Mohanlal was part of the cast, appearing in a cameo role. Addressing it, Shaji Kailas clarified that they indeed had planned to cast Mohanlal in a cameo role, but it did not work out.[6]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began on 17 April 2021.[15] However, by the end of that month, filming was suspended after a surge in COVID-19 cases in Kerala.[16] After completing Alone, Shaji Kailas began the second schedule of Kaduva on 24 October, which was expected to last for 70 days. Prithviraj joined in the second schedule.[17] Oberoi joined the set in November.[18] Abinandhan Ramanujam was the cinematographer. Filming was completed in March 2022.[19]

The film was mainly shot at locations in Pala and Erattupetta in Kottayam district and Vandiperiyar in Idukki district. Since the film is set in 1990s, they wanted to recreate old District Court, Kottayam, it was created as set in a 4-5 acre land at Ernakulam.[20] While filming in Mundakkayam, there was a 50-person limit pertaining to COVID-19 restrictions set by the government. At Mundakkayam, the crew suffered flood and landslide, the set constructed was damaged. Filming went past three waves of COVID-19 in India. Prithviraj and Shaji Kailas was tested COVID-19 positive. Five fight sequences and three songs were filmed for the film. Kalabhavan Shajohn was tested COVID-19 positive while filming in Kochi. The film took two years to complete, overcoming COVID-19 pandemic, flood, and landslide.[6]

Music

[edit]

The film was announced with Thaman. S as the music director, making his Malayalam debut. But after the project was delayed, Thaman was replaced by Jakes Bejoy. The first single was released on 19 June 2022.[21]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Paalvarnna Kuthiramel"Santhosh VarmaJakes Bejoy, Libin Scaria, Midhun Suresh, Swetha Ashok4:19
2."Pala Palli"Santhosh Varma, Sreehari TharayilAthul Narukara4:35
3."Kudamattam Palli"Santhosh VarmaVijay Yesudas, Swetha Ashok, Sachin Raj3:03
Total length:11:57

Release

[edit]

Theatrical

[edit]

Kaduva was released on 7 July 2022. In addition, the film will be released in dubbed versions of Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Telugu languages.[22] It was initially scheduled for a theatrical release on 30 June 2022. The team promoted the film at an event in Bangalore and Chennai.[23]

Home media

[edit]

The digital streaming and satellite rights of the film are acquired by Amazon Prime Video and Surya TV, while the Hindi version was sold to Disney+ Hotstar.[citation needed] The film was digitally streamed on 4 August 2022[24]

Controversies

[edit]

The protagonist, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran, was seen making inappropriate comments against disabled persons and their parents. The dialogue was eventually removed from the film.[13]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

On its opening day, Kaduva grossed around ₹7 crore.[25] On its third day, the film has earned around ₹15 crore at the Kerala box office.[citation needed] On the seventh day of its release, the film has grossed around ₹30.20 crore and became one of successful ventures in Malayalam cinema after Bheeshma Parvam, Hridayam and Jana Gana Mana.[26] The film grossed over ₹50 crore (equivalent to ₹53 crore or US$6.3 million in 2023) and became one of the highest grossing Malayalam films of 2022.[1]

Critical response

[edit]

Kaduva received mixed reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 40% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.5/10.[27]

Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars and stated "We need to see the bad guys do something that would provoke our ire so that when, finally, the hero returns for payback, we take delight in every punch that lands. Thankfully, Kaduva follows this philosophy to a T, and I had quite a blast."[28] Arjun Menon of Pinkvilla gave 3.5/5 stars stating that "However, the film is a made-for-theatre watch, aided by a splendidly enjoyable background score from Jakes Bejoy and the thunderous frames that elevate the commonplace plot to new heights of first-rate commercial filmmaking that is meant to be experienced with a bunch of strangers in a dark room. Yes, Kaduva might have just saved Malayalam cinema for all we know or set off a new focus on narrating larger-than-life tales with the grounded, economy of new-age storytelling.[29]

Cris of The News Minute gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "The film starts and ends in the middle of nowhere, extracting a slice of Kuriachan's life. You do get to taste a bit of nostalgia in seeing land phones, Doordarshan's intro theme and a single television reporter in front of the CM. But the rest of the film is just a nicely edited long and unexciting script."[30] Anna Mathews of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "If you are in the mood for a Prithviraj mass thriller, you might enjoy the movie, but don't expect to be wow-ed."[31] India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Kaduva is entertaining despite its predictability. But, a little bit of inventiveness could have elevated Kaduva more."[32] Jayadeep Jayesh of Deccan Herald gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "'Kaduva' can be appreciated for representing a style of filmmaking that Malayalam cinema has long forgotten. There are many nostalgia-inducing moments and Prithviraj's charisma is captivating. Apart from these aspects, the film is just average.[33]

Anna M. M. Vetticad of Firstpost gave 1.75/5 stars and wrote "There is a lot of physical movement in Kaduva – fists and legs swing across the screen, vehicles speed and overturn, bodies spin in mid-air. Shaji Kailas' storytelling though remains frozen in time, back in the 1990s when he first shot into the limelight, as unmoving as the mundu tucked around Kuriyaachan's waist."[34] Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express wrote "And this entire movie, which is a celebration of vanity, is so excruciatingly dull. One can't help but wonder, who still finds slow-motion walks and frequent twirls of moustache a product of big-screen entertainment?"[35]

S. R. Praveen of The Hindu stated that "Shaji does manage to deliver that, dipped in more than an ounce of predictability, but for those looking for some novelty, Kaduva might not be it. This is despite it being a notch better than all of the work that Shaji has done post-2000."[36] Vishal Menon of Film Companion wrote "Yet you have to give it to Jakes Bejoy's background score and Abhinandan Ramanujam's camera for working overtime to re-interpret what could have been a 30-year-old film. Not only do they get exactly what the director's trying to make, but they also give it their own individual tributes to make something old feel new. The result is a balls-out unpretentious action movie that owns every second of its pitch as an ultimate male revenge fantasy."[37]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kaduva

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language action film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by Jinu V. Abraham, and produced by Prithviraj Sukumaran under his banner Prithviraj Productions in association with Magic Frames. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role as Kaduvakunnel Kuruvachan, a rubber planter, alongside Vivek Oberoi as the antagonistic police officer Joseph Chandy, Samyuktha Menon, and supporting actors including Alencier Ley Lopez and Baiju Santhosh. Set in the late 1990s in Kerala's high-range region, it depicts the escalating rivalry between a young planter from Mundakayam and a powerful police inspector amid local power dynamics and personal vendettas. Released theatrically on July 7, 2022, Kaduva marked Shaji Kailas's return to directing after a hiatus, reviving his signature style of high-octane masala action sequences infused with dramatic confrontations. The narrative follows Kuruvachan, portrayed as a defiant defending his community against corrupt authority, leading to brutal clashes that highlight themes of rural resistance and institutional overreach. Despite technical strengths in action choreography and Prithviraj's intense performance, the film garnered mixed , with praise for its energetic pacing but criticism for formulaic plotting and uneven scripting. On aggregate sites, it holds a 40% approval rating from critics and a 6.1/10 user score on . Kaduva faced immediate backlash shortly after release for including dialogues perceived as derogatory toward differently-abled individuals, prompting to issue a public apology and the removal of the offending lines from subsequent prints as suggested by the censor board. One controversial sequence implied that disabilities in children result from parental failings, which drew accusations of insensitivity and led to broader debates on representational ethics in . The production complied by excising the content, underscoring tensions between artistic intent in mass-market films and evolving societal sensitivities.

Plot

Summary

Kaduva is a 2022 Malayalam-language action set in the late in the high-range rubber plantation areas of , , particularly around and Pala. The story centers on Kaduvakunnel Kurian Koruthu, known as Kaduva or Kuriyachan, a wealthy and assertive rubber planter who fiercely protects his family's land and interests in the rural community. The narrative premise revolves around Kaduva's intensifying rivalry with Joseph Chandy, a high-ranking and politically influential , stemming from personal slights and territorial encroachments that ignite ego-driven confrontations. This core conflict unfolds amid family loyalties, clashes with local authorities, and the protagonist's reputation for using a kaduva (a traditional machete-like tool) in defending his domain against perceived threats. Key plot progression highlights the escalation from initial disputes to broader power struggles in the plantation-dominated , emphasizing themes of defiance against institutional without resolving underlying tensions. The film portrays the rural Kerala's socio-economic fabric of the era, where and land ownership fuel interpersonal and communal frictions.

Cast and characters

Principal cast

stars as Kaduvakunnel Kurian Koruthu, alias Kaduva, the protagonist depicted as a resilient rubber owner embodying an anti-hero rooted in defiance against . Sukumaran additionally produced the under Prithviraj Productions, marking his involvement in both lead performance and production oversight. Vivek Oberoi plays Joseph Chandy IPS, the primary antagonist characterized as a powerful figure symbolizing entrenched institutional opposition. Menon portrays Elsa (also referred to as Lynda Kurian), serving as the female lead and providing emotional grounding to the central conflict through her relational ties. Arjun Ashokan appears as Victor, functioning as a loyal ally and friend to the , contributing to the dynamics of camaraderie amid escalating tensions.

Supporting roles

portrayed Varkey, the mentor to Kaduvakunnel Kuriyachan, offering counsel amid the film's rural plantation conflicts and reinforcing community elder archetypes. played Advocate Kora, a legal figure aiding in sequences that contextualize the story's tensions without propelling the central . Siddique appeared as D.G.P. Rajasekharan Marar I.P.S., embodying senior police that underscores institutional dynamics in the 1990s setting. provided the voiceover for the District , delivering key judicial to frame procedural elements. Aju Varghese and Arjun Ashokan contributed in ensemble capacities as peripheral villagers and associates, enhancing the communal backdrop through light-hearted interactions and local flavor, distinct from lead character arcs. These portrayals collectively bolster the film's depiction of high-range rubber planter society, emphasizing supportive networks over individual agency in the narrative.

Production

Development

The project originated as a mass action thriller set in the , with announcing his collaboration with director in October 2019. This marked their second joint venture after a six-year hiatus, aiming to revive the high-octane, stylized action sequences characteristic of Shaji Kailas's films featuring confrontational heroes and exaggerated rivalries. specifically proposed crafting the narrative in a aesthetic to evoke that era's unapologetic mass-appeal entertainers, prioritizing visceral thrills over introspective character studies. The screenplay was penned by Jinu V. Abraham, focusing on a central conflict between a rubber planter and a to deliver straightforward, crowd-pleasing confrontations rooted in ego clashes rather than layered psychological depth. Produced under Prithviraj Sukumaran's banner Prithviraj Productions, the film's emphasized commercial viability through familiar tropes of defiance against authority, aligning with Shaji Kailas's reputation for formulaic yet energetic action dramas from the pre-digital period. This conceptual framework positioned Kaduva as a deliberate throwback, conceptualizing the as an archetypal figure in a rural backdrop.

Casting process

Prithviraj Sukumaran, who co-produced the film under Prithviraj Productions, took on the lead role of Kaduvakunnel Kurian Korthu (Kaduva), capitalizing on his established screen presence in mass-appeal action films such as Lucifer (2019). This decision aligned with the character's demands for a commanding, defiant rubber tapper-turned-outlaw in a 1990s Kerala setting. Vivek Oberoi was cast as the primary antagonist, Inspector General Joseph Chandy IPS, to inject broader recognition and prior on-screen chemistry with Sukumaran from Lucifer; his dialogues were dubbed in by actor , a repeat arrangement from their previous collaboration. Oberoi's involvement was confirmed publicly by April 21, 2021, emphasizing his suitability for a authoritative role. Samyuktha Menon was selected as the female lead, portraying Kaduva's love interest, alongside supporting players like , , , and , chosen for their familiarity with regional dialects and rural characterizations to ground the narrative's authenticity. The principal cast was locked in by early 2021, enabling to begin on April 17, 2021, without reported delays attributable to actor availability. No formal auditions for key roles were publicly detailed, reflecting the producers' reliance on established industry relationships.

Filming and technical aspects

Principal photography for Kaduva began on April 17, 2021, and concluded on February 28, 2022, encompassing roughly 96 shooting days across multiple schedules. The second schedule resumed on October 24, 2021, focusing on action sequences, while the final schedule started in February 2022. Production encountered logistical hurdles, including a temporary halt in late April 2021 amid rising cases, prompting adherence to government containment measures before resumption. Further disruptions occurred in November 2021 when Youth Congress activists protested at the set, alleging road blockages that impeded local access. Shooting locations centered on Kottayam district's high-range terrains, such as , , Pala, and Kumali, selected to authentically depict the film's rubber plantation backdrop and late-1990s rural setting. These areas provided estates essential for visual fidelity to the protagonist's livelihood as a planter. Action choreography was overseen by stunt director , who designed sequences emphasizing physical confrontations with —central to the title Kaduva (meaning "machete")—including intense jail fights performed by lead actor . These relied on practical stunts, with Sukumaran highlighting Kannan's role in executing demanding, hands-on combat that aligned with the character's rugged persona. Cinematography involved a collaborative effort by , Sujith Vasudev, and , incorporating stylistic elements like intentional lens flares to imbue the narrative with a mythic tone around the lead character. , handled by Coconut Bunch Creations, supplemented key scenes such as the introduction, blending digital enhancements with on-location footage for heightened impact. Editing by streamlined the 154-minute runtime, prioritizing rhythmic pacing in action blocks.

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Kaduva consists of four main songs composed by , blending high-energy action-oriented rhythms with rural folk influences that reflect the film's setting in 1950s rural and its themes of communal life and confrontation. The lyrics, primarily penned by Santhosh Varma, draw on cultural elements such as imagery and traditional rhythms, avoiding overt political messaging to emphasize narrative authenticity.
No.TitleLyricsSingersLength
1Paalvarnna KuthiramelSanthosh Varma, Libin Scaria, Midhun Suresh, Swetha Ashok4:19
2Pala PalliSanthosh Varma, Sreehari Tharayil, Athul Narukara4:31
3Kudamaattam PallideSanthosh VarmaN/A
4Kaduva Theme (Pt. 1)Instrumental/vocal, 1:51
"Paalvarnna Kuthiramel", the released on June 19, 2022, features upbeat folk percussion and vocals evoking village festivities, tying into scenes of rural camaraderie. The promotional track "Pala Palli" followed on July 4, 2022, with its rhythmic folk beats underscoring action sequences and later garnering over 100 million views online. The title theme, featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran's vocals, builds tension with intense orchestration suited to the protagonist's defiant persona. The full was made available digitally prior to the film's July 7, 2022 theatrical release.

Background score

The background score of Kaduva, composed by , features cues that underscore the film's central rivalry and action set pieces, including tracks such as "Kaduva Rage" for intense confrontations and "Bad Guys In Jail" for sequences involving physical altercations. These elements were crafted to heighten dramatic tension without vocal components, distinguishing them from the soundtrack's lyrical songs. Reviewers highlighted the score's role in amplifying the pacing during hero introductions and fight choreography, making action sequences more dynamic and immersive. Audience feedback similarly noted its impactful presence, particularly in building anticipation for character-driven conflicts within the 1990s-set narrative. Aligned with director Shaji Kailas's intent to evoke era-specific thriller aesthetics, the score integrates rhythmic pulses and swells to sustain momentum across emotional peaks and rivalries. The full original background score album, comprising 28 tracks, was released digitally in 2023.

Release

Theatrical distribution

Kaduva was released theatrically worldwide on July 7, 2022, following a delay from its initially announced date of due to certification processes. The film received a U/A from the (CBFC) after required modifications, including altering the protagonist's name to avoid potential concerns related to a real individual. In , distribution was handled by Prithviraj Productions in association with Magic Frames, with the film made available in dubbed versions in , Tamil, Telugu, and to extend its pan-India appeal beyond the primary market. The strategy emphasized a broad rollout in South Indian theaters, leveraging the action-oriented narrative to attract mass audiences. Marketing efforts centered on digital promotions, including the release of an teaser in November 2021 and a full trailer closer to launch, alongside promo songs such as "Pala Palli Thiruppalli" to build anticipation among regional viewers. These assets were disseminated via platforms like , targeting enthusiasts of mass entertainers in through high-energy action sequences and musical hooks.

Digital and home media

The digital streaming rights for Kaduva were acquired by , with the film premiering on the platform on August 4, 2022, approximately four weeks after its theatrical release on July 7. This followed a standard post-theatrical window for films at the time, enabling wider accessibility beyond cinemas. As of October 2025, Kaduva continues to be available for streaming on , including ad-supported tiers in select regions, with no reported exclusivity changes or migrations to other platforms. Specific viewership metrics for the OTT release have not been publicly disclosed by the platform or producers, though regional content on Prime Video has shown strong engagement in northern Indian states during similar launches. No physical home media releases, such as DVDs or Blu-rays, have been issued for Kaduva, with distribution focusing primarily on digital formats. No major re-releases or remastered editions for home viewing have occurred as of 2025.

Controversies

Following the theatrical release of Kaduva on , , the film drew complaints regarding specific dialogues deemed derogatory toward differently-abled persons. In one sequence, the protagonist, played by , states that differently-abled children are born with such conditions as retribution for their parents' sins in previous lives, a line interpreted by critics as stigmatizing . On July 9, 2022, Kerala State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities S.H. Panchapakesan issued notices to director Shaji Kailas and producers Supriya Menon and Listin Stephen, demanding an explanation for the content and warning of potential legal action under disability rights laws. Director Shaji Kailas responded with a public apology on July 10, 2022, via social media, describing the dialogue as an "inadvertent mistake" and "human error" unintended to cause harm, while expressing regret to affected parents. Prithviraj Sukumaran followed on July 11, 2022, posting a concise apology: "Sorry. It was a mistake. We acknowledge and accept it," and confirming the removal of the objectionable lines. The production team edited out the controversial content within days, releasing a revised version for ongoing theatrical screenings by July 12, 2022, without requiring court intervention or formal bans. This resolution highlighted friction between genre-specific, era-evoking vernacular in rural action narratives—intended to portray unpolished dialogue—and demands for contemporary inclusivity standards, with no evidence of deliberate malice cited by the filmmakers.

Reception

Box office performance

Kaduva collected approximately ₹50 at the worldwide , driven primarily by strong performance in . This figure positioned it as one of the top-grossing films of 2022, ranking fifth in worldwide collections for the year. The film's nett collections reached ₹44.93 , underscoring its regional dominance. The movie opened robustly in , attributed to lead actor Prithviraj Sukumaran's star power, earning ₹2.26 nett on its debut day from 1,071 tracked shows with 49.56% occupancy. Over the first weekend (four days), it amassed around ₹12 gross from alone, contributing to a worldwide weekend total exceeding ₹15 . First-week nett estimates ranged between ₹20-25 , sustaining momentum despite mixed reviews. Post-opening, Kaduva benefited from positive word-of-mouth among audiences, enabling recovery from pre-release controversies and steady theatrical runs with over 950 shows in the second weekend. Collections held firm, crossing ₹25 worldwide within the first four days and reaching ₹33 by the end of the second weekend. Performance outside , including dubbed versions and overseas markets, exceeded initial projections for a -oriented , bolstering the overall gross to surpass the ₹50 mark.

Critical reviews

Critical reception to Kaduva was mixed among professional reviewers, with the film earning a 40% Tomatometer score on based on five reviews. Indian outlets provided middling assessments, such as 2.5/5 from , which portrayed the narrative as an ego-driven clash lacking emotional depth despite strong performances from and . rated it similarly, praising the action sequences and Shaji Kailas's direction as a competent revival of his signature mass-entertainer style but faulting the predictable plot and absence of narrative surprises. Positive commentary centered on the film's technical strengths, including well-choreographed fight scenes and Prithviraj's portrayal of the swaggering Kuriachan, which conveyed and charisma effectively. Reviewers like those at acknowledged Kailas's skill in deploying familiar tropes for audience engagement, positioning Kaduva as a straightforward action vehicle suited to fans of the genre. Criticisms frequently highlighted structural weaknesses, with The Indian Express assigning 0.5/5 and decrying the film as an "excruciatingly dull" exercise in vanity that prioritized macho posturing over substantive storytelling or character nuance. Outlets noted the reliance on clichéd revenge arcs and underdeveloped supporting roles, rendering the proceedings formulaic amid a crowded field of similar regional action films. Some critiques also pointed to tonal inconsistencies, where unfiltered machismo clashed with superficial attempts at thematic commentary, failing to elevate beyond dated conventions.

Audience and commercial impact

The film garnered positive word-of-mouth among action-oriented audiences, particularly for its high-octane elevation sequences and stylized slow-motion fights, which resonated with fans seeking escapist mass entertainment. Early viewers highlighted the ambitious blend of heroism and spectacle, contributing to sustained interest in single-screen theaters despite mixed broader reception. This appeal extended to regional markets, including Telugu audiences who gave it a grand welcome for its adrenaline-fueled narrative set in rural . In response to controversies over certain dialogues perceived as derogatory toward differently-abled individuals, some fans contextualized them as reflective of the rural character's unfiltered, period-specific bravado rather than intentional malice, arguing they aligned with the film's unapologetic mass masala tone. However, this defense was overshadowed by widespread backlash, leading to swift edits and apologies from the team, yet did not derail core fan loyalty among action enthusiasts who prioritized rewatchable fight choreography over narrative subtlety. Commercially, Kaduva marked the most profitable venture for Prithviraj Productions and co-producer Magic Frames as of November 2022, solidifying Prithviraj Sukumaran's credentials as a capable of delivering high-stakes action vehicles. The film's success in tapping into demand for revival-style commercial entertainers helped pave the way for similar action projects, emphasizing spectacle-driven formulas amid evolving audience preferences for genre fidelity.

Legacy and analysis

Cultural and thematic elements

![Prithviraj Sukumaran as the rubber planter in Kaduva][float-right] Kaduva examines themes of personal defiance against bureaucratic and police authority, embodied in the rivalry between a high-range rubber planter and a , mirroring historical frictions in Kerala's rural during the . This conflict underscores misuse of official power for private grudges, inspired by documented disputes between local planters and law enforcement in areas like and Pala, though the narrative amplifies dramatic elements for commercial appeal. The film presents rural as intertwined with the physical demands of plantation labor and community , portraying the protagonist's assertive demeanor and reliance on traditional tools like the aruva—a sickle-machete used for —as symbols of both economic survival and defensive autonomy in isolated high-range terrains. This depiction avoids softening such traits, aligning with the masala genre's emphasis on unyielding protagonists who embody hereditary rural power structures, a motif drawn from Kerala's agrarian of self-reliant landowners confronting external impositions. arises causally from these clashes rather than gratuitously, reflecting the era's socio-economic realities where planters navigated limited state support amid labor-intensive livelihoods. Set against the 1990s backdrop, Kaduva evokes nostalgia for cinema's mass-action era through period-accurate absences of modern technology, such as mobile phones, and stylistic nods to revenge thrillers, while authentically capturing high-range cultural life—including church-centric community events and plantation hierarchies in and Pala. These elements ground the thematic exploration in verifiable regional dynamics, prioritizing character-driven confrontations over overt political allegory, though subtle references to contemporaneous politics appear via disclaimer. The narrative's focus on ego-fueled escalation critiques unchecked authority without idealizing retribution, maintaining fidelity to the planter archetype's historical resilience.

Industry influence

Kaduva's commercial performance, grossing over ₹50 worldwide within its theatrical run, underscored the post-pandemic resilience of high-budget mass action films in , encouraging producers to invest in similar large-scale entertainers amid recovering audiences. The film's acquisition of Hindi dubbing rights by further highlighted the potential for dubbed versions to tap non-Malayalam markets, contributing to its overseas collections exceeding ₹18 . The project revived the - pairing after a 20-year hiatus, positioning it as Kailas's return to the high-octane, dialogue-driven action style that defined his successes, thereby signaling renewed viability for such stylistic precedents in contemporary productions. In managing controversies over derogatory dialogues targeting differently-abled individuals, director and lead actor issued public apologies within days of release and removed the offending content, establishing an example of swift editorial intervention to mitigate backlash from advocacy groups and authorities without broader narrative overhauls. This approach balanced artistic preservation with accountability, influencing subsequent discussions on content sensitivity in mass films.

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