Kolla (2023 film)

Kolla is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language heist film directed by Suraj Varma in his directorial debut and featuring Rajisha Vijayan and Priya Prakash Varrier in the lead roles. It is written by Jasim Jalal and Nelson Joseph based on the story by Bobby–Sanjay. The film is loosely based on the 2008 Chelembra bank robbery.

The film was announced in May 2022. Principal photography commenced the shooting in the same month in Ettumanoor and wrapped up in June 2022. The music was composed by Shaan Rahman, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Rajavel Mohan and Arju Benn.

Kolla was released in theatres on 9 June 2023.

Plot
Two girls, Annie and Shilpa, plan to open a beauty parlor in a small town except the seemingly innocent girls have some evil plans to them. Later, it's revealed that their real intention was to rob the co-operative bank next to the parlor. Pretending that they are renovating their parlor, the two girls execute their plan with the help of their father's old friend (it's another revelation that one of the girls, Annie's father, was a thief, and his friend Stephen helped them execute their plan).

The police inspector who investigated the crime was quite suspicious of the girls. His investigation leads to CI Stephen, but during an identification parade, he died of a cardiac arrest. Annie, devastated due to guilt and disappointment, goes to the island where Stephen supposedly hid the money and jewels they had stolen from the bank but found the place empty. She visits Stephen's wife but fails to procure the information she wants. Meanwhile CI Farooq Rahman is almost cracking the crime. He suspects the involvement of Annie and Shilpa in it and his suspicion is strengthened when he sees the postcard that Annie sent Stephen. Annie is searching for the loot, following the hints Stephen dropped during their conversation and the information she gained from Stephen's wife. She goes to Thenmala Church, believing that he must have hid the loot somewhere around the church. She finds it in a burial chamber while the inspector revisits the crime scene and searches for a valid clue.

Inspector Farooq understands Annie's and Shilpa's involvement and awaits her with a trap. Meanwhile, another local thief, the brother of Stephen's wife, chases Annie and threatens her. Finally, she decides to give some gold to Basil, a young man who helped them execute their plan. She goes to Farooq’s house for a haircut for his niece. Farooq questions Annie, and she tries her best not to fumble but Farooq catches her lies and asks her for half of the loot as a bribe to reveal them in the case. Having no other option, Annie agrees and gives him the promised amount of gold. But the next day, while interrogating Basil at the crime scene, Farooq reveals her involvement. Annie and Shilpa flee, but the police manage to catch Shilpa and later she reveals Annie's whereabouts. Annie, who tried to run away with the loot, is arrested. The media appreciates Farooq, but he seems to be upset. In a flashback, it is revealed that Annie and Shilpa suspected that Farooq might cheat them, and they followed Farooq to find where he had his share of loot. After that, they purposefully got Shipa arrested and used her to reach Annie with the loot, which belonged to Farooq. Three years later, Annie and Shilpa now work as café waitresses in a new city. But in the end credits, it is revealed that they plan to loot a diamond shop near the café.

Development
The film was officially announced on 12 May 2022 at the Gokulam Convention Centre in Kaloor. Sibi Malayil lit the Nilavilakku and launched the film's title.

Filming
Principal photography of the film began on 13 May 2022 in Ettumanoor. The shooting took place in Ettumanoor, Kaipuzha, and Vayala. The filming wrapped up on 23 June 2022.

Soundtrack
The songs are composed by Shaan Rahman.

Theatrical
The film was released in theatres on 9 June 2023 by Ayyappan Movies Release.

Home media
ManoramaMAX bought the digital distribution rights of the film. The online streaming began on 27 July 2023.

Critical response
Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTTPlay gave the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "While the heist and its planning are given limited time, it's what happens after one of them gets caught that makes the proceedings gripping." Arjun Ramachandran of The South First gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Jasim Jalal and Nelson's screenplay keeps the film engaging, especially the cat-and-mouse game between the lead characters and cops." Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Despite having an intriguing plot, Suraj Varma's Kolla disappointingly plunges into the depths of mediocrity due to the absence of a compelling and enthralling narrative."

Shilpa Nair Anand of The Hindu wrote, "Kolla is a thriller which, despite a great story with more twists than a murukku, never reaches its full potential." Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote, "The screenplay by Jasim Jalal and Nelson Joseph failed to do justice to Bobby-Sanjay's story. The twists were quite intriguing, but some of the scenes needed to be sharper to seem more convincing. Nevertheless, it was fascinating how some of the scenes were envisaged."