Detective Ujjwalan

Detective Ujjwalan is a film that I want more of, despite its rushed final act. For it's the world building and smooth storytelling that kept me on tenterhooks the whole time. A mysterious killer is out on the loose in a Kerala village and it's up to the village's incapable police and smart loafer Ujjwalan to find out who it could be. There's also additional support from a special police team, and together they try to unravel the mystery as the bodies keep falling. The makers have done a commendable job at building a fictional village, along with lores that are very well planned for future feature films. An overall fulfilling experience just short the final smack. I would watch out for these guys.

Detective Ujjwalan is a refreshingly quirky thriller that brings a unique blend of humor, suspense, and drama to the table. The film tells the story of Ujjwalan, a detective played by Dhyan Sreenivasan, who embarks on a mission to solve a complex case involving a missing person. The film's narrative is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing. The pacing is well-balanced, moving seamlessly from fast-paced action sequences to slower, more introspective moments.

With strong performances and a well-crafted narrative, it is a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Good.

Detective Ujjwalan is a painful exercise in missed potential. The film lacks a proper script, meaningful dialogues, and any emotional depth. What remains is a string of lifeless scenes stitched together without rhythm or any real flow. The editing is abrupt, the background score is uninspired, and the visual storytelling is severely limited.

The idea of setting the story in a village is nice. But the film offers little more than close-up shots and dull faces, failing to create any charm or appeal. It tries to pass off as an old-school adventure, but it ends up being a below-par, boring piece of pointless fluff. And unlike what some say, this is not quirky like Scooby Doo. It's boring as hell.

Dhyan Sreenivasan, in the lead, gives a performance so dull it feels unfair to the audience and the story alike. He brings no spark to Ujjwalan, a protagonist who is neither heroic nor remotely interesting. Siju Wilson starts off well as a police officer, but his sudden devotion to Ujjwalan makes no sense.

There's nothing that holds the viewer. No emotions to connect with, no solid plot to follow, and no reason to care. The storytelling is stale, and the whole thing feels empty. Maybe Vineeth Sreenivasan could have played Ujjwalan better. Someone with the hidden humour and flair, like his Adv. Mukundan Unni? Just a thought.

Ultimately, it is a dull, boring affair. It's supposed to be a mystery, but you're too bored to want answers. That should say it all.

"Detective Ujjwalan" had the ingredients for a nostalgic, rural mystery, but unfortunately, it doesn't quite come together. The film struggles with an underdeveloped script, lackluster dialogues, and a noticeable absence of emotional weight. Scenes feel loosely connected, and the editing doesn't do much to maintain a smooth narrative flow. The background score, too, doesn't elevate the experience, and visually, the film remains rather basic.

Setting the story in a village could've added a unique charm, but the execution is flat. The film relies heavily on close-ups and static expressions, missing an opportunity to capture the vibrancy or quirks of rural life. While it aims for an old-school detective vibe, it ends up feeling more like a low-energy throwback lacking both fun and intrigue.

Dhyan Sreenivasan, in the titular role, delivers a restrained performance that unfortunately doesn't breathe life into the character. Ujjwalan comes across as neither compelling nor charismatic. Siju Wilson's character shows initial promise but takes a confusing turn in his motivations, which isn't clearly explained.

The film doesn't offer much emotional engagement or narrative drive. Without a gripping plot or characters to root for, it becomes difficult to stay invested. The storytelling feels outdated, and the overall impact is underwhelming. Perhaps someone like Vineeth Sreenivasan-known for subtle humor and screen presence-might have brought more dynamism to the role.

In summary, "Detective Ujjwalan" is a slow-paced film that doesn't quite deliver on its premise. It may have intended to offer a classic mystery, but its lack of energy and clarity makes it a forgettable experience.

Rating - 4/5

A humour investigation thriller pitched with a good story plot,splendid narrative and outstanding performances.

The plot of the story is about whether Ujjwalan,a local detective of Plachikkavu succeed in cracking the serial murder case eating his patience thereby putting his potential to test.

The duo filmmakers has successfully placed the investigation thriller with quirkiness and witty humours that worked well in setting the background for the story formation. This film reminds us of the humour and the landscape in Kunjiramayanam and the way the director duo has layered the situational humour into the screenplay deserves appreciation. The design of character shades and the mannerisms, quirkiness in each characters synced well along with the story. They have joined all the dots in the story precisely through the incredible screenplay. Hats off to the writer directors in complementing both humour and thriller genre so effortlessly in their debut film.

Good performance by Dhyan Sreenivasan as Ujjwalan and this time its definitely Dhyan 2.0.Impressive performances by Siju Wilson,Rony David,Kottayam Nazeer,Seema G Nair,Ameen & Nihal. Special appreciation to the casting directors for assembling the incredible artists on screen showing unparalleled performances.

Good Cinematography by Premkrishna & Sraiyanti. Kudos to Chaman Chacko for serving a delightful and engaging entertainer. Hats off to Rameez for bringing the music and Background score matching to the tone of the story. Impressive sound design/mixing by Sachin Sudhakaran & Aravind Menon and the efforts of the colorist in lifting the mood and feel of the story totally. Kudos to Weekend Blockbusters for designing this project and giving a fun to watch movie experience keeps you eagerly waiting for the next franchise from WCU.

A must watch movie in Atmos theatres for an engaging cinematic humorous fun ride.