Kathakali opened as a normal Vishal film and irritated at some parts especially the way the heroine's character and all was etched, so very shallow. But pre-interval the film starts picking up pace and becomes a film more than a regular one. One of the victories of the film is it keeps us, the audience, guessing. But it would've been a great film had it had a better climax. Vishal's is improving as an actor and is showing maturity in his performance, even though mildly.