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Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Detective Ujjwalan movie review: A Scooby-Doo-esque tale weighed down by mediocre writing and Dhyan Sreenivasan
Detective Ujjwalan movie review: To be honest, makers should, at the very least, now realise that cinematic universes and serial killers no longer automatically pique audience interest. The simple reason is their overuse. It has become almost impossible to walk into a big-ticket or whodunit film without fearing that it's either the first installment of yet another franchise or centred around a serial killer. In debutant directors Indraneel Gopeekrishnan and Rahul G's Detective Ujjwalan, both these elements are at play. Not only is it part of the Weekend Cinematic Universe (WCU), which began with Minnal Murali (2021) and is named after the production company Weekend Blockbusters, but it also revolves around a serial killer on the prowl, targeting those walking alone at night in the fictional village of Plaachikkaavu. A model village that, according to local SI Sachin (Rony David Raj), stands as a 'symbol of goodness and happiness', with a very low crime rate, the only offences that happen in Plaachikkaavu are usually petty thefts by the local thief Anthikkurudan (Nihal Nizam). Hence, when one of the village's just over 200 residents is brutally murdered, the community is left beyond shattered. With no idea how to handle such a serious case, Sachin and his team turn to the local self-styled Sherlock Holmes, Ujjwalan (Dhyan Sreenivasan), the cops' go-to guy for solving minor cases. Armed with half-baked theories, Ujjwalan identifies a suspect and throws him behind bars. However, that crime was only the beginning. More murders follow, sending a chill down the villagers' spines. Soon, Ujjwalan deduces that a serial killer could be behind all the crimes, given the similarities in the modus operandi. As the case gains attention, the department sends in CI Shambu Mahadev (Siju Wilson), along with his assistants Kunchacko and Boban (Nibraz Noushad and Shahubas), to fast-track the investigation. Despite Shambu being a sharp officer, the killer remains elusive. After a rocky start between the two, Ujjwalan launches a parallel probe of his own. Meanwhile, the murderer, whom Shambu has named 'Boogeyman', continues to roam free, on the lookout for his next victim. Will he be caught? Although Detective Ujjwalan had the potential to become something like an episode from the beloved Scooby-Doo cartoons, the film is weighed down by its confusion over whether it wants to be a quirky tale or a full-blown whodunit. As it tries to balance both, what we end up with is a movie that only half-heartedly delivers on either front. One of the key reasons the quirkiness doesn't land well is that it's limited to just a few characters like Ujjwalan, his friend Korea Kurian (Ameen), Anthikkurudan, and Sachin. Had the story been solely about these people, it might have worked better. However, since the movie revolves around the entire Plaachikkaavu, the absence of similarly eccentric traits in other characters restricts the overall whimsical tone. As a result, characters like Ujjwalan and Kurian come across more as isolated goofballs than part of a cohesive quirky world. Also, visually and tonally, certain moments and shots un/knowingly evoke strong déjà vu of Basil Joseph's Kunjiramayanam (2015), and this affects Detective Ujjwalan badly as it only highlights how the film falls short in both humour and charm. While Kunjiramayanam's Desham village was filled with kooky people, as if that's the character of the land as a whole, keeping viewers hooked to the events unfolding there, Detective Ujjwalan stumbles by failing to establish a similarly engaging setting or community. On the crime thriller front, the film suffers from a complete lack of originality and high predictability. This is evident even in the handling of the actual culprit; the way he's framed in earlier scenes — particularly when shown among crowds — which gives away quite a bit before the final reveal. Once the movie steps into its core plot, writer-directors Indraneel and Rahul nest at the middling level, never rising above even once. Even though the film draws from the mythical monster of Kokkachi (also known as Anchakkallakokkan in some parts of Kerala and as the Boogeyman in English, used by elders to scare children into behaving well), Detective Ujjwalan fails to integrate this well into its narrative. The aforementioned confusion becomes glaringly obvious here too. By giving the serial killer(s) a generic and hackneyed backstory, the film completes its descent into mediocrity. Although their writing falters, Indraneel and Rahul's filmmaking shines in many places, particularly in setting the atmosphere and the tense moments featuring the Boogeyman. The killer's pursuit of certain victims and how the murders are portrayed, without excessive gore, also highlight their skill. Though we see intriguing props (books, movie posters, etc) scattered across Ujjwalan's room and the village, the directors wisely avoid overusing them to establish a specific time period, maintaining the fictional tone they've adopted in an even manner throughout. Dhyan Sreenivasan in the titular role might be the costliest choice the directors made and, unfortunately, the price they've paid is the complete absence of Ujjwalan in the film. Not once do we truly see Ujjwalan on screen. Instead, we get Dhyan himself — minus his usual promotional interview shenanigans — who never manages to get into the character. While it's evident that Ujjwalan had enough material, at least on paper, to be a unique and intriguing character, Dhyan's portrayal strips it of any such potential. He simply walks through the film as himself, with the only added layer being a Sethurama Iyer–esque vibhuti mark on his forehead. Siju Wilson, on the other hand, shines as Shambu, delivering a measured portrayal. He is particularly impressive during the climactic fight and, to some extent, compensates for Dhyan's lacklustre performance. Rony David Raj also impresses in the comedic scenes, though he falters in the emotional moments; fortunately, those are few and far between. Kottayam Nazeer and Seema G Nair, playing Ujjwalan's parents, are spectacular in their respective roles. Nihal Nizam as Anthikkurudan is a delight to watch, bringing genuine charm to the screen. Ameen, however, fails to leave a lasting impression, largely due to the way the character has been crafted, relying overtly on his social media persona and (unfunny) dialogues that seem tailored to it. On the technical front, Chaman Chakko's editing is one of Detective Ujjwalan's saving graces. Playing with the frames, particularly their pace, cuts and even aspect ratio, he gives the movie a uniqueness that many in the cast and crew couldn't. Rzee's music complements these efforts, though not always seamlessly. Prem Akkattu and Sraiyanti deliver commendable work in cinematography, particularly in scenes featuring the killer. Koyaz M's art direction, Nisar Rahmath's costume design and Shaji Pulpally's makeup also deserve praise for elevating the film's visual texture. Detective Ujjwalan movie cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siju Wilson, Rony David Raj, Kottayam Nazeer, Seema G Nair Detective Ujjwalan movie director: Indraneel Gopeekrishnan, Rahul G Detective Ujjwalan movie rating: 2 stars Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
Mint
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Detective Ujjwalan 2025 release date: Everything we know about Dhyan Sreenivasan's thriller
The upcoming Malayalam thriller, Detective Ujjwalan will be soon entertaining audiences. Starring Dhyan Sreenivasan, the film teaser was unveiled last year. The film was initially scheduled to release in theatres on May 16. However, it was later postponed for reasons unknown. Detective Ujjwalan will now hit the big screens on May 23. It will be clashing with Tovino Thomas' Narivetta, Indrajith Sukumaran's Mr & Mrs Bachelor, Ranjith Sajeev's United Kingdom of Kerala and Sreenath Bhasi's Azadi. Going by the two-minute teaser released by the makers, Detective Ujjwalan is set in the fictional village of Plaachikkaavu, free from crime and problems. However, the peace of the village is disturbed when a series of gruesome murders takes place by someone called 'Boogeyman'. Amid these murders, detective Ujjwalan is called to solve the case. While he looks into the case, an investigation team reaches too. While Ujjwalan's efforts are not taken seriously initially, he remains optimistic about uncovering the real identity of the murderer. The trailer hints at a fast-paced narrative filled with unexpected twists, blending suspense with comedy to keep viewers engaged throughout the thrilling chase. 'Presenting the official trailer of Detective Ujjwalan, starring Dhyan Sreenivasan in the titular role. Produced by Sophia Paul under the banner of Weekend Blockbusters and directed by Indraneel Gopeekrishnan & Rahul G, this film marks the second installment of the Weekend Cinematic Universe,' read the trailer description on YouTube. Actor Dhyan Sreenivasan plays Ujjwalan in the film. Siju Wilson, Rony David, Kottayam Nazeer, Seema G Nair, Kalabhavan Navas, Ameen, Nihaal Nizam, Nirmal Palazhy, Josy Sijo, Nibraz Noushad, and Shahubas are also a part of the film cast. Detective Ujjwalan is two hours and four minutes long. The film received a U/A rating. It is helmed by Rahul G and Indraneel Gopeekrishnan who will be marking their directorial debut with the film. It is backed by Sophia Paul under the Weekend Blockbusters label. While the makers are yet to reveal details about the film's post-theatrical streaming rights, previously Dhyan's films like Varshangalkku Shesham and Malayalee From India rights were acquired by SonyLIV. Similarly, Detective Ujjwalan is likely to land on a popular OTT platform as well.
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Dhyan Sreenivasan-starrer Detective Ujjwalan postpones release
The release of the Dhyan Sreenivasan-starrer Detective Ujjwalan has been postponed by a week and will now hit cinemas on May 23. The film was initially slated for release on May 16. The makers announced the change on Monday through social media, unveiling a new poster featuring the lead actor. The post was captioned: 'Unexpected twists and turns have caused Ujjwalan's investigation to hit a snag. The Detective and his gang need a few more clues! Case files will be opened a week later. Trust us, the wait's worth it!' Directed by debutants Indraneel Gopeekrishnan and Rahul G, the mystery-comedy sees Dhyan play Ujjwalan, a detective delving into a series of crimes in a village. The film also features Siju Wilson, Rony David Raj, Kottayam Nazeer, Seema G Nair, Kalabhavan Navas, and Nirmal Palazhi in key roles. Popular social media personalities Ameen, Nihal Nizam, Nibraz Noushad, and Shahubas will make their big-screen debut. Detective Ujjwalan's technical team includes cinematographers Prem Akkattu and Sraiyanti, editor Chaman Chacko, and composer Rzee. The film is produced by Sophia Paul under the banner of Weekend Blockbusters. It serves as the second instalment in the Weekend Cinematic Universe (WCU), which began with Minnal Murali in 2021. The universe also includes Jambi, an upcoming zombie film directed by George Kora.
