Action Hero Biju

At the moment in Malayalam cinema, we have independent and experimental and new wave and creative films on one hand and masala entertainers and potboilers on the other. This film falls on neither, for it is a massively artistic venture by a team who previously gave us a film with similar undertones.

Biju (Pauly) is a smart, suave, learned, fit, righteous, and almost self-righteous human being with a paunch who shoved his bunch of educational degrees aside and signed up to become a policeman, now with a glamorous work history of five years. So when people come to him with problems aplenty, he turns his station into a court of sorts and begins his people-friendly (jana-mythiri?!) policing and somehow manages to settle those problems. Always. Whether by his severe bashing-up routine or by shaping his piercing mustache's burns so that the man in front of him pees without even opening his fly - Biju settles the case. That is the fictional tale of a policeman's work - and what the film is all about.

If you were to go to the Muvattupuzha police station and have a sneak peek, you wouldn't find Biju, nor would you find him or any policeman like him in Kadavanthara police station. Maybe in Angamaly? Nah. Why? Because what the makers have created here is a fictitious depiction of an ideal policeman, of course, with respect to the current times which are hard and harrowed. So while one cannot call the film a 'true case,' it definitely is entertaining if not believable.

Biju handles all sorts of cases: from drug busts to catching 'freaks' (or 'freakers') with afros and fade-in hairstyles, theft cases, family issues, and awkward love stories to name a few, which are all, unfortunately, the current topics doing the rounds in our police stations. The social touch given by the makers is absolutely relevant and true to the effect that we need policemen like Biju.

Nivin Pauly is, without a doubt, brilliant. Just brilliant in his portrayal of this suave and sharp cop who doesn't open his hands bare to be greased by henpecked ministers or those powerhouses that we see in other movies. He knows to smash words up their noses and still have no fear of suspension or transfer, because, did you forget, this is fiction! Venjaramoodu is good, but I won't call his portrayal great because it's his sympathy-attracting character that rolls the dice. We all know he is a good actor unless he starts blabbering 'valippu!'

I am straining on the film being a fiction not because other similar films aren't, but because the gist of the film lies in this fictionalization of a real-life character who we all see and sometimes (often due to bad things) encounter. As a result, it definitely has its flaws, but the clever elements employed in showcasing policemen at work without involving bureaucracy is the mastery the film reflects. However, people shouldn't believe everything that they see, and with this film, this warning becomes bolder. You will still be going through a plight and the worse days of your life if you are caught with a drug smuggler.

Well-directed and aptly shot sequences takes the audience on a field trip to not the life exactly, but the profession of a cop. The intricacies are shown to some extent and it causes joy. A newbie is cast as Biju's fiancée because all she does is talk to him on the phone in a montage that is more music than audio. But I won't blame anyone here, because if you observe the films coming out lately (since 2013), every other one has a new face for an actress. It's because films nowadays are filled with testosterone and mostly narrate stories centred on a male protagonist. Actresses are even behind supporting actors, only put there to satiate the male gaze or to add a romantic tone to the film. People may not even go to the cinemas if the film doesn't have an actress. Who's to blame? In this film's case, had there been no actress, I am pretty sure it wouldn't have done commercially as well as it is doing now or will do. Critics may take a note and appreciate it even, but the mass of people want the action hero to romance someone, and it cannot be a bark of a tree, now can it?

Coming back to the film, the background score is the best thing about the film. Reminding me of Hollywood crime dramas like Sicario (2015) and True Detective (TV; 2014), the score consisting of drums and bass amazingly drives the story forward like it is the fuel. And this score is played at the right junctures and adds considerably to the entertainment quotient. Rajesh Murugesan has never disappointed us, and in here, he proves his genius.

Overall, the film is a pure shine. Although it goes slightly off in the start of second half, there is not a single dull moment anywhere, not even during the songs. Shine really pulls off the story with great direction and clever attention to details.

BOTTOM LINE: Abrid Shine's Action Hero Biju is an artistic depiction of a fictional tale about an ideal policeman that is well-directed, well-written, and well-acted, proving once again that Nivin Pauly is the king of Malayalam cinema at the moment. Recommended!

GRADE: B-

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Since the evolution of Indian cinema, we have grown up watching police films where the cop is a superhero who singlehandedly takes down the corrupt system and crimelords. Also we have seen cops in negative light who misuse their power, takes bribe from others and acts as an aide for criminals. Many actors including Amitabh Bachchan became superstars by doing cop roles. In Malayalam, cop films of Suresh Gopi carved an image of police among the minds of Keralites. When police films were turning monotonous, here comes director Abrid Shine with his second directorial venture Action hero Biju breaking all the stereotypes of police cinema. It narrates the ride of S.I. Biju Poulose played by Nivin Pauly and the various petty and serious cases handled by him. Action hero Biju showcases how actually policemen work in real life and also shows what happens truly in a police station. This movie shows that police handle multiple cases at the same time rather than the entire focus being on a single case. Several cases come in this film in which some are funny, some emotional and some of them make you proud of Kerala police. Nivin Pauly gives a superb performance as Biju but sometimes falters in dialogue delivery when he mouths Suresh Gopi trademark dialogues. Anu Emmanuel has nothing to do, Joju was nice as Constable mini, rest of the cast were decent but the true show stealer is Suraj Venjaramoodu who in just two scenes proved what he is capable of. The only drawback you will naturally find is that it has no story. From start to finish it continuously shows several cases coming to Biju. But this would be the first film which I wouldn't mind if it has no story. Except pookal pannineer pookal, all songs composed by Jerry amal dev are forgettable. Even the placement and picturization of pookal pannineer song is not apt. On the whole, Action hero Biju is not for those who expect over the top police film but for those who are open to accept a realistic and fresh police film. Note: My dad does not like much the new gen malayalam films and prefers only old malayalam films. But action hero Biju is his favorite films of recent times and loves watching it whenever it comes on TV.

the movie was an exceptional entertainer with a good point of view towards the Indian police and its administration..... overall this film was greatly up viewers expectations..... this film is certainly an one- time watch..... Biju Paulose has really changed our view towards the Indian police service. we thought them to be corrupted and lazy but this film portrays how they actually are. a ride with a police officer and his assistants is an apt tag-line for the film. Nivin Pauly has done a great job as always in the film as ACTION HERO BIJU...... We will definitely respect Indian police after this film. Joju George and other constables have acted exceptionally well and also have entertained us to the best level.

This movie was awesome. I had a smile on my face as the end credits were rolling in. I was so engaged throughout the film, my eyes were glued to the screen. In one word, it was entertaining.

Action Hero Biju is different from other kinda cop films usually seen in Indian commercial cinema. This one is very realistic in style and shows the day to day activities of Sub-inspector Biju (Nivin Pauly). I was emotionally connected to the different cases Biju had to encounter. Nivin Pauly performed well for the most part, he was the apt choice to play SI Biju. The supporting cast all played their parts well, especially Suraj Venjaramoodu who gave a brilliant performance. The cinematography was good. Loved some of the shots in the film. That definitely gave a different perspective from the usual cop films. Jerry Amaldev's songs were good and the heroine was okay though most of her scenes seemed unnecessary.

Overall, an engaging and entertaining picture. Malayalam cinema is going through a good phase. Adipoli! 8/10

"ACTION HERO BIJU" is not PREMAM. The film was nothing like I expected, but I gotta say I was surprised in a very good way. The movie follows a series of sub- plots ordered in a fine sequence. As the tag line suggests, its just a ride with a police officer. Nivin Pauly has his problems when it comes to do stuff outside his comfort zone, but he shines in this one, unlike in IVIDE. I don't know about others, but I was completely satisfied with his performance. Each and every actors who played the supporting characters were awesome. I will never forget the performance of Suraj Venjaramoodu. The film has life only because the actors are so good. Abrid Shine has made a bold attempt to do a kind of film like this, but hats off. I bet no one could pull this off like he did. This film is not for everyone, and it may not be accepted in theaters now, but this movie is going to be a milestone in the careers of each and everyone associated with it, and yeah it's definitely gonna be a part of Malayalam Cinema hall of fame.