Detective Ujjwalan

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.

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 starts off at a very slow pace, making it hard to stay engaged during the initial scenes. The unusual color grading and lighting choices give the film a strange tone, which takes away from the overall experience.

Dhyan, who plays the lead character, fails to make a strong impact. His performance feels lacks the intensity the role demands. The humour also doesn't work, the jokes fall flat and don't bring any real fun to the scenes.

The plot does have potential. There's an interesting mystery at its core, and the story builds some curiosity. However, the impact gets lost due to weak performances and average direction. This film clearly shows how crucial good casting is to bring a story to life.

The background score is another downside. Instead of enhancing the mood, it makes several scenes feel dull and emotionless. The music simply doesn't connect with what's happening on screen.

Things improve slightly in the second half. The emotional angle gives the movie some much needed depth, and a few moments manage to hold attention. Still, the overall performance level remains below average, making it hard to fully invest in the characters.

The climax takes a disappointing turn. It throws in unnecessary twists that don't add meaning to the story.

In the end, Detective Ujjwalan had the potential to be an engaging mystery. But with weak acting, poor technical choices, and inconsistent storytelling, the film struggles to leave a lasting impression. A better cast and sharper direction could have made a big difference.

Overall, Detective Ujjwalan is a thriller that doesn't really thrill. It also lacks a strong theatrical experience. In the end, the choice is yours.

Detective Ujjwalan is a textbook example of wasted potential. Marketed as a thrilling crime drama featuring a razor-sharp investigator tackling high-stakes mysteries, the show (or film) instead drags viewers through a convoluted mess of half-baked plots, wooden performances, and shockingly poor direction. What could have been an engaging addition to the detective genre ends up as a frustrating experience, marked by clichés and inconsistency.

First and foremost, the titular character, Detective Ujjwalan, lacks the charisma and depth that such a central figure demands. Played with little conviction, Ujjwalan seems less like a brilliant mind and more like an actor playing dress-up in a trench coat. The attempts at making him appear intelligent - abrupt monologues, forced deductions, and awkward silences - feel more like a parody than a serious portrayal. There's no real backstory, no emotional conflict, and no character arc to invest in. A detective is only as compelling as his mind and methods, and here, both are remarkably shallow.

The storytelling is another major letdown. Rather than offering a well-paced, cleverly constructed mystery, the plot meanders endlessly. The narrative jumps from one irrelevant subplot to another, making it difficult to stay engaged or even understand what the central mystery is supposed to be. Clues are often introduced and then forgotten, red herrings are used lazily, and the final resolution feels like it was slapped together without thought or logic. What's worse, the pacing is painfully slow, turning even the most supposedly suspenseful scenes into a chore to sit through.

The supporting characters do nothing to lift the sagging storyline. From stereotypical police officers who blindly follow Ujjwalan's direction without question, to one-dimensional sidekicks who exist solely for exposition, the ensemble cast is as lifeless as the script. Relationships between characters are undeveloped, conversations lack natural flow, and any attempt at emotional depth comes off as forced or laughable.

Technically, the show doesn't fare any better. The cinematography is bland and uninspired. For a genre that thrives on atmosphere and detail, the visuals here are shockingly flat. Camera angles do little to build tension or highlight critical moments, and even the locations chosen feel generic and unremarkable. The editing is another sore point, with abrupt scene changes, poor transitions, and several moments where it feels like entire scenes were cut without explanation.

The background score, which could have at least salvaged some sense of tension, is overused and often mismatched with the tone of the scenes. Sound design is inconsistent - at times too loud, other times inaudible. Dialogues are poorly written, often cringe-worthy, and the delivery lacks any kind of natural rhythm.

To add to the frustration, the show seems to take itself far too seriously. There's no levity, no clever humor, and certainly no self-awareness. Instead, it drowns in its own arrogance, mistaking convoluted storytelling for cleverness and emotionless acting for intensity.

In conclusion, Detective Ujjwalan is a major disappointment. It lacks the intrigue, intelligence, and engagement that one expects from a detective thriller. Whether you're a fan of crime dramas or just looking for an entertaining watch, this one is best avoided. A good detective story should challenge the mind and captivate the heart - this one does neither. It's a forgettable entry in the genre and a frustrating reminder of how not to execute a mystery drama.

"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.