Leo (2023) poster

Leo (2023)

19 October 20232h 43mTamilIndia
6.8/10TMDB · 154 votes

DirectorLokesh Kanagaraj

StarringVijay, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan

Watch onNetflix

Best for: Fans of Vijay and Lokesh Kanagaraj's action-crime style, and viewers who enjoy Tamil thrillers with a strong ensemble cast.

Where to watch Leo online in India

Subscription

Netflix

Availability for India, data by JustWatch. Updated 23 October 2026.

Leo OTT release date

Theatrical release (India)19 October 2023
OTT / digital release (India)19 October 2023
Gap between theatre and OTT0 days
Streaming now onNetflix

Release dates for India as listed on TMDB.

Leo story (no spoilers)

Parthiban runs a cafe in Himachal Pradesh, where he lives with his family. His ordinary life is upended when he crosses paths with a drug cartel, pulling him into a conflict far removed from his quiet routine. The film follows Parthiban as he navigates this dangerous situation, blending action, crime and thriller elements. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Leo stars Vijay in the lead role, with Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja and Trisha Krishnan in key parts. The story explores how an everyday man responds when confronted by organised crime, and the tone mixes tension with the director's signature style. The tagline 'Bloody Sweet!' hints at the film's blend of grit and entertainment. At 163 minutes, the narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, building the world around Parthiban and the cartel. The film is in Tamil and carries a UA certificate, indicating it is suitable for viewers aged 12 and above with parental guidance. Music is by Anirudh Ravichander.

Should you watch Leo?

Watch it for

  • Vijay plays Parthiban, a cafe owner whose life collides with a drug cartel, and the film also features Sanjay Dutt as Antony Das and Arjun Sarja as Harold Das in pivotal roles.
  • Director Lokesh Kanagaraj brings his trademark style to this action-crime-thriller, with a runtime of 163 minutes that allows for detailed world-building.
  • The Tamil-language film has a UA certificate, making it accessible to a broad audience, and Anirudh Ravichander's music adds to the experience.
  • The tagline 'Bloody Sweet!' and the Himachal Pradesh setting suggest a mix of intense action and dark humour.

Skip it if

  • You prefer shorter films; at 163 minutes, Leo demands a significant time commitment.
  • You are not a fan of action-crime-thrillers with cartel-related violence, as the genre and UA rating indicate moderate intensity.
  • You want a light-hearted family film; the plot involves a drug cartel and the tone is more tense than cheerful.

Leo cast

VijayVijayas Parthiban / Leo DasSanjay DuttSanjay Duttas Antony DasArjun SarjaArjun Sarjaas Harold DasTrisha KrishnanTrisha Krishnanas Sathya
Madonna SebastianMadonna Sebastianas Elisa Das
Gautham Vasudev MenonGautham Vasudev Menonas Joshy Andrews
Baby Iyalas Mathi 'Chintu'
Mathew ThomasMathew Thomasas Siddharth 'Siddhu'
George MariyanGeorge Mariyanas Napoleon
Priya AnandPriya Anandas Deepa Andrews
MysskinMysskinas Shanmugan
SandySandyas Shanmugam's Son

Leo movie details

DirectorLokesh Kanagaraj
WriterLokesh Kanagaraj, Rathna Kumar, Deeraj Vaidy
MusicAnirudh Ravichander
CinematographyManoj Paramahamsa
ProducerLalit Kumar
Release date19 October 2023
Runtime2h 43m (163 minutes)
Original languageTamil
Country of originIndia
Languages spoken in the filmTamil
Original titleலியோ
Certificate (India)UA
Budget$42.2 million (approx.)
Worldwide box office$71.8 million (approx.)

Parental guide: is Leo family friendly?

ViolenceModerate
LanguageMild
Sexual contentNone
Family viewingNot ideal

This is a general guide based on the UA certificate and action-crime genre; the film contains moderate violence and is not aimed at young children. This is a general guide based on genre and certification.

Leo official trailer

Our verdict

Leo delivers a solid action-crime-thriller with Vijay in a dual-faceted role and a strong supporting cast including Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Sarja. Lokesh Kanagaraj's direction and Anirudh Ravichander's music add to the film's appeal, though the 163-minute runtime may feel long for some. It's a worthwhile watch for genre fans, especially on Netflix.

More movies directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj

More Vijay movies

Movies like Leo

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Leo online in India?

Leo is available for streaming on Netflix in India.

What is the OTT release date of Leo in India?

Leo released on Netflix in India on 2023-10-19.

When was Leo released in theatres?

Leo was released in theatres in India on 2023-10-19.

Who is in the cast of Leo?

The cast includes Vijay as Parthiban / Leo Das, Sanjay Dutt as Antony Das, Arjun Sarja as Harold Das, Trisha Krishnan as Sathya, and Madonna Sebastian as Elisa Das, among others.

What is the runtime of Leo?

Leo has a runtime of 163 minutes.

Page last updated 23 October 2026. Facts from TMDB; how we write these pages: editorial policy.