Saala (film)

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Saala
Directed bySD Manipaul
Written bySD Manipaul
Produced byTG Vishwa Prasad
Starring
CinematographyRavindranath Guru
Edited byBhuvan
Music byTheeseon
Production
company
People Media Factory
Release date
  • 23 August 2024 (2024-08-23)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Saala is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by SD Manipaul in his directorial debut, starring debutant actors Dheeran and Reshma Venkatesh in the lead roles alongside Charles Vinoth, Aruldoss, Srinath, Sampath Ram, and IT Arasan in important roles. The film is produced by TG Vishwa Prasad under his People Media Factory banner. Saala was released in theatres on 23 August 2024 to mixed reviews from critics.

Contents

Cast

Production

The film is written and directed by SD Manipaul in his directorial debut, who had earlier worked as an assistant director to Prabhu Solomon, starring debutants Dheeran and Reshma Venkatesh in the lead roles alongside Charles Vinoth, Aruldoss, Srinath, Sampath Ram, and IT Arasan in important roles. [1] The film is produced by TG Vishwa Prasad under his People Media Factory banner. [2] The technical team includes cinematographer Ravindranath Guru, music composer Theeseon, and editor Bhuvan. [3] Principal photography took place in North Chennai, after the relaxations of the COVID-19 restrictions. [4]

Release

Theatrical

Saala was released in theatres on 23 August 2024. [5]

Home media

Saala premiered on aha Tamil on 20 September 2024. [6]

Reception

Saala received mixed reviews from critics. [3]

Raghav Kumar of Kalki gave 3/5 stars and praised the social message against alcohol, cinematography, editing and the performance of Reshma, but criticized the screenplay and the background score. [7] A critic of Dinamalar rated the film with 2.75/5 stars. [8] Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Saala is a typical masala flick with a whiff of romance. [...] While it doesn’t break new ground in storytelling or filmmaking, director Manipaul infuses enough spice to keep viewers engaged." [9] Abishek Balaji of Cinema Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Saala is still very watchable and truly thought-provoking at times. I just wish it had been fiercer and more focused." [10] Hindu Tamil Thisai reviewed the film positively for its climax, the social message and the acting contributions from the entire cast. [11] RK Spark of Zee News reviewed the film by praising its bold story telling, the social message, dialogues, and the performances of the lead cast, while criticizing the screenplay. [12]

References

  1. Balaji, Abishek (13 August 2024). "SD Manipaul: I worked in a bar for three months to prepare for Saala". Cinema Express. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. "Allu Arjun to release Dheeran-starrer 'Saala' trailer". The Times of India. 2 August 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Saala OTT release date: When and where to watch this Tamil gangster action drama". OTTPlay. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  4. Rajaraman, Kaushik (27 August 2024). "Saala was shot in live locations with non-professional actors : Dheeran". www.dtnext.in. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  5. "Manipaul's Saala to release in August". Cinema Express. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  6. "Saala gets an OTT release date". Cinema Express. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  7. ராகவ்குமார் (26 August 2024). "விமர்சனம்: சாலா - குடி பழக்கத்திற்கு எதிரான திரைக்குரல்!". Kalki Online (in Tamil). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  8. "சாலா - விமர்சனம் {2.75/5} : சாலா - மதுப்ரியனை மாற்றும் மாது - Saala". cinema.dinamalar.com. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  9. "Saala Movie Review: Old wine in a familiar bottle". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  10. Balaji, Abishek (23 August 2024). "Saala Movie Review: A solid yet preachy gangster drama". Cinema Express. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  11. "திரை விமர்சனம்: சாலா". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 25 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  12. "இந்த வாரம் வெளியாகியுள்ள சாலா படம் எப்படி உள்ளது? திரைவிமர்சனம்!". Zee Hindustan Tamil (in Tamil). 23 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.