Directed by Rajasekhar, Kollimalai Singam drops you into the harsh terrain of the Kolli Hills. Vijayakanth plays a fearless village chief who takes on an oppressive landlord (played brilliantly by the late Raghuvaran). This isn't a "mass" film in the modern, stylized sense. There are no slow-motion sunglasses drops.

The title "Kollimalai Singam" is often used for Tamil-dubbed versions of action movies from other languages (like Telugu or Kannada).