Kaalai (2008): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2008, Kaalai is an action film directed by Tarun Gopi, running about 126 minutes. “There is no substitute” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Young Jeeva is the grandson of Seema of Theni. When she was five years old, she kills five persons and goes to jail. She comes out of prison turning nastier than before. She is now a hard-core 'dada' and she is feared as well as revered by people in her place, Theni, where she is engaged in all activities which the law forbids. The local police throw up their hands. A police officer, also named Jeeva (Lal), comes down heavily on Seema with all his might and cunningness and finally burns her alive. Meanwhile, a rowdy, also named Jeeva, becomes a thorn in the flesh of police officer Jeeva and he is after his daughter Vedika, who loves Seema's grandson, a tough guy in the college. While Vedika wants to keep the rowdy off her with the help of Seema's grandson, he wants to take revenge on her father for killing his grandmother. How he fulfils his task is the crux of the movie.

Who’s in it. Kaalai stars Silambarasan as Jeeva, Vedhika as Brintha, Lal as Jeeva and Sangeetha Krish as Lakshmi, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.1/10, Kaalai has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Sun Nxt and Eros Now Select Apple TV Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Kaalai page.

If you liked it. Fans of Kaalai tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.