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Kobali Review: Only Ravi Prakash shines in this underwhelming faction drama

Kobali Review: Ravi Prakash is amazing this faction drama which has a tried and tested formula. Too much gore and foul language make things difficult after a point. 

2/5rating
Kobali Review: Only Ravi Prakash shines in this underwhelming faction drama

Kobali web series review

Last Updated: 09.15 AM, Feb 04, 2025

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Kobali Story

The series is set in the faction-rich region of Rayalaseema and follows two brothers, Ramu (Tarun Rohith) and Srinu (Ravi Prakash), who seek vengeance against the powerful Ramana (Rocky Singh), the cause of their rivalry. As tensions rise between the brothers and the local political forces, one incident leads to another, triggering a bloodbath. A killing spree ensues, and tensions spiral out of control between the two families. But what sparked these faction wars, and how many innocent lives will they claim? Find out when you stream the eight-episode series on Disney+ Hotstar.

Kobali Review

Kobali is created and directed by Revanth Levaka, who uses the time-tested formula of faction-based drama and sets it in the Rayalaseema region. Telugu cinema has seen many such backdrops, and Kobali is nothing new. However, Revanth adapts the storytelling to suit OTT sensibilities, which works well.

The series consists of eight episodes, each under 30 minutes, which is a plus. However, the middle portions of the series lose focus due to subplots that feel tedious. Shows like Kobali have been made before in Telugu cinema, and to hold the audience’s attention, the emotional depth needs to be compelling. Unfortunately, the focus here is more on the bloodbath rather than the emotional turmoil the characters go through.

Another drawback of the series is the excessive use of foul language by the main characters. While intended to add authenticity, the verbal abuses feel overdone and become tiresome after a point. Additionally, while Revanth creates interesting characters, he fails to give them proper arcs, as the emphasis is placed more on action and gore.

Kobali series review
Kobali series review

There are too many feuds occurring one after another, making it difficult to keep track of them all. Instead of cramming in multiple conflicts, the narrative would have been more effective if it had focused on one or two key issues. That said, the internal politics are handled well by Revanth. The series effectively showcases the turmoil families endure when they engage in faction wars and how their lives are disrupted.

However, after a certain point, the screenplay lacks freshness. Many scenes in the third and fourth episodes feel repetitive, resembling those from past films, with action sequences that seem unnecessary. Rather than focusing on action and shock value, the makers opt for realistic fights and drama, which become monotonous after a while.

Coming to the performances, Ravi Prakash, known for his character roles, delivers an excellent performance. His personality, body language, and dialogue delivery align well with the mood of the series. Tarun Rohith gets a meaty role and performs well within his limitations, though he tends to go overboard in action and intense emotional scenes.

Rocky Singh is decent, but his character is portrayed as unnecessarily loud and over-the-top. Popular anchor Syamala shines in a well-written role, adding depth to the series. It’s refreshing to see her in such a role. However, the rest of the cast is underwhelming, and the presence of more well-known actors could have elevated the show.

Gowra Hari’s music and background score are impressive, enhancing even the ordinary scenes and adding impact in key moments. Rohit Bachu’s cinematography captures the faction-rich regions effectively. The production design is neat, but the dialogues could have been better—they feel exaggerated and seem designed purely for sensationalism. Editing is a weak point, and trimming at least one episode’s worth of runtime would have improved the pacing.

Revanth Levaka narrates a predictable story with a routine setting. While the premise is made promising, the screenplay struggles to hold attention. The family drama had strong potential, but the overemphasis on gore rather than emotions makes Kobali an underwhelming watch.

Kobali review
Kobali review

Kobali Verdict

On the whole, Kobali is a rustic faction drama that has a decent backdrop and a few thrills. But the rest of the series is loud, has foul language, and forced emotions that bore you after a while. Give it a shot only if you like faction dramas but there is nothing new that has been showcased here.

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