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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Ronth' movie review: An engrossing cop drama that does not miss a beat
One day might not be enough to get to know a person inside out, but Shahi Kabir's Ronth almost achieves the impossible of giving us a peek into the deepest recesses of the hearts and minds of not one, but two people over the course of a single night. The writer-director pulls this off not through grand scenarios, but the crucial little details, which are sprinkled throughout the film. These are the kind of details that can be absorbed only by those who have actually lived through similar scenarios, which Kabir has, as a former police officer. Like, the scene where a senior policeman accepts a bribe to let off an inebriated priest involved in a road accident. In most films, such a scene, meant as part of character delineation without much connection to the larger narrative, would end there. Instead, here, it spills over into the next scene in the police jeep, where the policeman explains to his junior that the money is not meant for him, but to pay for the repairs of the jeep, since the reimbursements from the department take a long time to come. The scene thus gently transforms into a commentary on the system, just like the rest of the film. 'Ronth' (Malayalam) Director: Shahi Kabir Cast: Dileesh Pothan, Roshan Mathew, Lakshmi Menon Run-time: 122 minutes Storyline: Two cops on night patrol gets embroiled in a tough situation that could threaten their careers Ronth, as the name suggests, revolves around the night patrol duty of two policemen: Dinanath (Roshan Mathew), a rookie cop, and Yohannan (Dileesh Pothan), a senior officer, hardened by years in the service. Kabir is not going for a conventional police procedural here, but chooses a narrative with an episodic structure, like Abrid Shine's Action Hero Biju. But unlike the latter film, the episodes here are mostly grim. Over the course of the night, we see the duo criss-crossing the small town, intervening in a series of relatively small issues. These short episodes give us fascinating insights into the nature of the duty, while at the same time providing us a peek into the inner lives of these two men. Much thought has gone into writing the character of Yohannan, who continues to disprove Dinanath's as well as the viewer's impressions of him as the narrative progresses. It is an engrossing character study in an age when we form quick opinions about people or issues based on viral reels that are hardly a minute long. With both the characters and their evolving dynamic taking up much of the screen time, the actors are required to tap into a whole gamut of emotions, which they do admirably well. Dileesh Pothan pulls off the 'been there, done that' demeanour of the experienced cop, while Roshan Mathew excels in portraying the inherent circumspection and naivety of a newbie. After Joseph, Nayattu, Ela Veezha Poonchira and Officer on Duty, Shahi Kabir continues to tap into his experiences in the police department, mining uncommon stories which paint an unflattering picture of the force. Even though the narrative unfurls through these short, seemingly disconnected episodes, the taut screenplay ensures that the film remains engaging throughout. The one misstep, perhaps, is in the climactic sequence, when it seemed the writer, faced with a tricky situation, chose the easy way out. But then, it could have been a choice dictated by a scenario from which tragedy was the only way out. Ronth is currently playing in theatres
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Evolution of Cameos in Mollywood: Shifting from Star Value to Stellar Performances
Films, which often thrive at the box office due to their star cast and gripping plots, sometimes conceal unexpected 'wow' factors that delight both audiences and critics who live and breathe cinema. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Regardless of the language, one such standout element is the cameo appearance by actors — brief yet impactful moments that often become the most talked-about aspects of a film. Initially, these cameos served as opportunities to utilise big stars and their stardom in a film. Later, they underwent a paradigm shift, evolving into performance-oriented roles. At first, such roles created doubts in the audience's minds, as they found it difficult to accept their favourite stars playing such small parts. However, this eventually gave rise to a sense of curiosity among viewers. In the past, cameos were primarily used to introduce plot twists, often resolving the protagonist's struggles and helping them move forward. This emotion was effectively captured by 's cameo in 's Narasimham — arguably one of the most memorable cameos in Mollywood to date. Over time, any actor could appear in films in cameo roles, often as a break from the main cast, rather than aiming to give fans goosebumps. One such example is Suraj Venjaramoodu's role in Action Hero Biju, where his performance-based character left a lasting impression. It hardly felt like a cameo, given the emotional depth of his role. Vishnu Manchu On 'Kannappa': Prabhas, Mohanlal & Akshay Join Forces | South vs North Debate 'Stale'? Is it important to have a cameo role in a film? In recent times, the phenomenon has become a hotbed for fan speculation and rumours about actors' involvement in various films. Many big-budget films in South Indian cinema and Bollywood incorporate stars from other industries to generate hype and boost box office performance in their respective regions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD is a case in point, with numerous cameo appearances that sparked audience excitement and offered a refreshing touch in every frame. Similarly, Rajinikanth's Jailer strategically used this trend by including Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar in prominent roles, turning it into a business and box office success. Let's take a look at how cameo roles in Mollywood have evolved over the years: Mohanlal Mohanlal's cameo in Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal (1989), directed by Kamal and written by , saw him playing a pivotal role. In this starrer, he portrayed Achutha Kurup, a businessman who brought an unexpected twist to the story. He also appeared as himself in the 1988 film Manu Uncle, starring Mammootty. Directed by Dennis Joseph, Mohanlal made a brief appearance interacting with children in a light-hearted moment. In 2006, he had an extended cameo in Kilukkam Kilukilukkam, playing Joji, the brother of Kavya Madhavan's character. Directed by Sandhya Mohan and written by Udayakrishna–Siby K. Thomas, the film also featured Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Innocent in key roles. Most recently, Mohanlal appeared in a cameo in Rajinikanth's Jailer, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. His character came to Rajinikanth's aid during a critical juncture and was positioned as a towering figure to satisfy his fanbase. Shiva Rajkumar's cameo in the same film also generated considerable buzz, making Jailer a hot topic in both Malayalam and Kannada-speaking regions. Mammootty One of the most iconic cameos in Mollywood remains Mammootty's portrayal of Nandagopal Marar in Narasimham (2000). His entry during a crucial moment for Mohanlal's character and his punch dialogues struck the right chord with the audience. The combination of Mammootty and Mohanlal is a timeless one, and director Shaji Kailas, along with writer Ranjith, leveraged it effectively. In 2024, Mammootty played an extended cameo in Abraham Ozler, directed by and starring Jayaram. His character, Alexander, delivered a powerful emotional impact with his tragic backstory and compelling revenge arc, leaving audiences in awe. Thilakan The cult psychological horror Manichitrathazhu (1993), directed by Fazil, featured Thilakan in a memorable cameo alongside Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi. He played Pullattuparambra Brahmadathan Namboothiripad, a tantric expert and trusted friend of Mohanlal's character, Sunny. Oduvil Unnikrishnan In Devasuram, Oduvil Unnikrishnan portrayed Peringodu Sankara Marar in a brief yet profound role. His bond with Mohanlal's character was subtly conveyed through dialogues and limited screen time, making it one of the most enduring cameos in Malayalam cinema. Kalpana Kalpana's cameo in Charlie (2015), starring Dulquer Salmaan and directed by Martin Prakkat, struck an emotional chord with viewers. Her intense performance brought a deeper layer to the narrative and is considered one of her finest works. Suraj Venjaramoodu Suraj Venjaramoodu captivated audiences with his role as Pavithran in Action Hero Biju (2016), starring Nivin Pauly. He played a weary father and husband devastated by his wife's extramarital affair. His heartfelt plea for his child moved audiences deeply, and that particular scene continues to circulate on social media as both meme and art. Renji Panicker Renji Panicker's cameo in Premam (2015), directed by Alphonse Puthren, became a fan favourite. Playing David Kalapparambath, the father of George (Nivin Pauly), his bold retort to a college principal made him an overnight icon — the "cool dad" on social media. Nivin Pauly In Aanandam (2016), directed by Ganesh Raj, Nivin Pauly made a surprise cameo as the brother of Thomas Mathew's character. The unexpected appearance thrilled fans and added to the youthful vibe of the film. Vineeth Sreenivasan In Jacobinte Swargarajyam, starring Nivin Pauly and Renji Panicker, director Vineeth Sreenivasan also appeared as Yusuf Shah. The film's engaging family drama, plot twists, and heartwarming tone made it one of the most appreciated releases of the year. Biju Menon Biju Menon's cameo in Kunjiramayanam (2015), directed by Basil Joseph, added a comic twist to the film. He played Manoharan, who comes to marry a local girl amidst a village curse on marriages. The character elevated the comedy, making it one of the most enjoyable films in the genre after a long time. Dulquer Salmaan Dulquer appeared as a special guest in Annmariya Kalippilaanu, directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas. Playing an angelic figure for the titular character Annmariya, his role complemented the film's emotional and uplifting tone. The movie also starred Sara Arjun, Sunny Wayne, and Aju Varghese. Lal Jose Director Lal Jose played an extended cameo as author Jacob Tharakan in Ohm Shanthi Oshaana, starring Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Renji Panicker, and Aju Varghese. The film, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, was a coming-of-age romantic comedy that resonated with youth.
