Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- sleek
- tense
- glamorous
- action movie night
- Tamil cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Billa as a stylish, technically polished, fast-moving entertainer powered by Ajith Kumar’s dual-role performance, while noting weaker dialogue, humor, and later plotting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Critics specifically highlighted the film’s designer look, technical glitz, classy action cuts, and Hollywood-influenced presentation.
David Billa and Saravana Velu are played as connected double roles whose resemblance drives the plot.
The story follows an international don operating in Malaysia while police and avengers pursue his criminal network.
Sasha seeks to avenge her brother’s death while becoming entangled with the don and police investigation.
Films like Billa, and why
Mankatha
stylish organized-crime action, charismatic antihero, and sleek contemporary Indian blockbuster presentation
Pattiyal
Tamil gangster action built around an imposing star performance, criminal networks, and revenge-driven momentum
Don
international crime underworld, double identities, and polished action-thriller spectacle
Don 2
look-alike identity play, revenge plotting, and stylish gangster entertainment
Movie Details
- Director
- Vishnu Varadhan
- Release Date
- 2007-12-14
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (64)
Cast
- Ajith Kumar
- Prabhu
- Nayanthara
- Rahman
- Santhanam
- Adithya Menon
- Vimalraj Ganesan
- Yog Jappie
- Avneesh Parekh
- T. Balasubramaniam
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Eros Now Select Apple TV channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Billa about?
- A sleek Tamil crime spectacle where a feared Malaysian don, a determined avenger, and his uncanny low-level double collide in a dangerous identity game.
- What is Billa like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Billa as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Billa violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Billa as brutal.
- What did critics think of Billa?
- Critics broadly praised Billa as a stylish, technically polished, fast-moving entertainer powered by Ajith Kumar’s dual-role performance, while noting weaker dialogue, humor, and later plotting.
- Which films are like Billa?
- Films with a similar feel include Mankatha, Pattiyal, Don, and Don 2.
- How long is Billa?
- Billa runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch Billa?
- In United States, Billa streams on Eros Now Select Apple TV channel.
