King of Kotha
Kannan is a gangster who rules the crime-infested town of Kotha. After getting humiliated by Kannan and his men, CI Shahul Haasan tactfully plots the return of former gangster named Kotha Rajendran alias "Raju", thus leading to a transformative turn of events.
The film struggled financially against its tight budget of $5.9M, earning $4.5M globally (-24% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
King of Kotha (2023) exhibits deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Abhilash Joshiy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kotha is introduced as a dangerous underworld territory controlled by feared gangsters. The town operates under a brutal hierarchy of power and violence.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 21 minutes when Kannan (now going by Raju) receives news that forces him to confront his past - his childhood friend and the chaos consuming Kotha requires his return to prevent total destruction.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 44 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Kannan makes the decisive choice to return to Kotha as Raju, crossing back into the underworld he had escaped. He enters the town that once feared and revered him., moving from reaction to action.
At 87 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Raju achieves a major victory, successfully eliminating a key rival and reclaiming significant territory. He appears to be winning, but this false victory makes him a bigger target and reveals the true extent of the conspiracy against him., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 131 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Raju suffers a devastating loss when someone close to him is killed - a literal death that serves as his lowest point. His empire crumbles, allies abandon him, and he faces the possibility that violence only begets more violence., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 139 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Raju synthesizes the lessons from Tara and his past, realizing he must fight not for power but for the people of Kotha. He discovers the final piece of information about who truly orchestrated the conspiracy, giving him clarity and renewed purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
King of Kotha's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping King of Kotha against these established plot points, we can identify how Abhilash Joshiy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish King of Kotha within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kotha is introduced as a dangerous underworld territory controlled by feared gangsters. The town operates under a brutal hierarchy of power and violence.
Theme
A character states that "power built on fear always crumbles when someone refuses to be afraid" - establishing the film's theme about legitimate versus corrupt power.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Kotha's criminal ecosystem, the key players including Kannan Bhai's former reign, his protégé Raju, the rival factions, and the establishment of how Kotha fell into chaos after Kannan's disappearance.
Disruption
Kannan (now going by Raju) receives news that forces him to confront his past - his childhood friend and the chaos consuming Kotha requires his return to prevent total destruction.
Resistance
Kannan wrestles with returning to Kotha, receiving guidance and perspective from his mother and friends. Flashbacks reveal his origins, his relationship with his father, and why he left. He debates whether he can return to violence.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kannan makes the decisive choice to return to Kotha as Raju, crossing back into the underworld he had escaped. He enters the town that once feared and revered him.
Mirror World
Raju reconnects with Tara, his former love interest, who represents the life of peace and normalcy he could have had. She embodies the film's theme about choosing justice over revenge.
Premise
Raju navigates the changed landscape of Kotha, reasserting his presence and strategic mind. Action sequences showcase his tactical brilliance as he begins dismantling the corrupt power structure piece by piece, fulfilling the premise of a gangster reclamation story.
Midpoint
Raju achieves a major victory, successfully eliminating a key rival and reclaiming significant territory. He appears to be winning, but this false victory makes him a bigger target and reveals the true extent of the conspiracy against him.
Opposition
The remaining antagonists unite against Raju, exploiting his weaknesses and attacking those he cares about. Betrayals emerge from within his circle. The opposition tightens their grip, using both violence and political manipulation.
Collapse
Raju suffers a devastating loss when someone close to him is killed - a literal death that serves as his lowest point. His empire crumbles, allies abandon him, and he faces the possibility that violence only begets more violence.
Crisis
Raju retreats into darkness, questioning whether his return has only brought more death to Kotha. He confronts the meaning of his father's legacy and what kind of leader he wants to be - one of fear or one of justice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Raju synthesizes the lessons from Tara and his past, realizing he must fight not for power but for the people of Kotha. He discovers the final piece of information about who truly orchestrated the conspiracy, giving him clarity and renewed purpose.
Synthesis
The finale battle sequence where Raju executes his final plan, combining street-smart tactics with newfound moral clarity. He systematically confronts each antagonist, liberates Kotha from corrupt control, and restores order - not through fear, but through earned respect.
Transformation
Raju stands in Kotha, now truly the King of Kotha - but transformed. Unlike the opening image of rule through violence and fear, he now represents justice and protection. The town respects rather than fears him.