Ronth

Ronth is another solid film from the Malayalam industry. The word Ronth means "patrol," and the movie follows two police officers-one a seasoned veteran, the other a rookie-as they patrol the city over the course of a single night.

We often hear that the police patrol the streets at night to ensure our safety, but we rarely think about what they actually go through during those hours. This film gives us a realistic, grounded look at what a night on patrol can involve. I had no idea so much could happen in just one night. It really made me appreciate how important their presence is for keeping the peace.

The movie is directed by Shahi Kabir, who won a National Award for his screenplay for Nayattu. I learned that he actually served as a police officer before becoming a writer and director. That background clearly reflects in his work-his stories about police life feel honest, grounded, and human. Unlike the typical commercial portrayals where police officers are shown as larger-than-life heroes, Shahi shows them with their vulnerabilities, as real people. His attention to the little details stands out, and maybe that's because he's lived that life himself. I also liked his previous film Officer on Duty, which is streaming on Netflix.

It's quite rare and refreshing to see a former police officer turn into a storyteller and bring such authenticity to the screen.

Ronth not only shows what actually happens during a police patrol, but also explores the personal struggles these officers face in their own lives. Despite everything they're going through, they still show up and do their duty.

Dileesh, who plays the senior officer, completely inhabits the role. He doesn't act the character-he lives it. Roshan Mathew, who plays the rookie, is a familiar face from earlier films and does a great job too.

The music is good, the editing is sharp, and the cinematography is excellent. Like most Malayalam films, it's shot entirely on real locations, which adds to the realism.

With movies like Ronth, there's not really a "story" in the conventional sense-it's more about experiencing the lives of these two officers. So it's best watched without expecting big twists or turns. That said, I didn't really like the ending. It's shocking, yes, but it didn't quite sit well with me.

Still, Ronth is yet another gem from the Malayalam film industry.

Ronth is a unique and intense one-night police procedural that explores the unseen emotional and moral weight of routine patrolling. Dileesh Pothan excels as a seasoned cop, and Roshan Mathew shines as the rookie learning fast on the job. The film captures the chaos and unpredictability of real-life police work-from domestic violence to suicide cases-all in one night.

But the final act is where it stumbles. Roshan's character suddenly makes irrational decisions that feel out of place, and the ending is abrupt, leaving the story feeling unfinished. The film had great buildup, but the conclusion lacked the depth and closure it deserved.

Still, worth watching for the performances and grounded storytelling.

This move gives a different paradigm to the way we look at Police men. Definitely one of the finest unique Cop movies which looks extremely close to reality. Story revolves around a night patrolling by a senior policeman n a new recruit n the series of random events they go through. The last 30 mins climax brings immense weightage to the movie. It's slow, boring at places but very realistic. Acting of the senior policeman is worth mentioning. Originally a Malayalam movie dubbed in all South Indian languages including Hindi as well. Available in JioHotstar, my ratings 7.5/10!

This move gives a different paradigm to the way we look at Police men. Definitely one of the finest unique Cop movies which looks extremely close to reality. Story revolves around a night patrolling by a senior policeman n a new recruit n the series of random events they go through. The last 30 mins climax brings immense weightage to the movie. It's slow, boring at places but very realistic. Acting of the senior policeman is worth mentioning. Originally a Malayalam movie dubbed in all South Indian languages including Hindi as well. Available in JioHotstar, my ratings 7.5/10!

To me, Ronth felt like the cinematic equivalent of the iPhone's Portrait Mode-the way it creates a sharp focus on the subject while softly blurring the background. Shahi Kabir achieves the same "depth-of-field" effect in storytelling, bringing Dileesh Pothan, Roshan Mathew, and Lekshmi Menon into sharp emotional focus. Their performances truly penetrate the screen and demand attention.

This film stands out for its realistic and grounded portrayal of the Kerala Police. It's one of the rare films that offers a clean, authentic look into the life and routine of a policeman-without overdramatization or distortion.

Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew deliver solid, believable performances. They own their roles with the natural talent we've come to expect from them. But the real surprise was Lekshmi Menon. Her performance was extraordinary-deep, authentic, and emotionally layered. It makes one wonder why the Malayalam film industry hasn't tapped into her full potential before. This could very well be her breakthrough, and I genuinely hope to see her in more roles that allow her to shine.

However, I was personally let down by the tragic climax. It left some plot points unresolved, and I found myself wishing Shahi Kabir had opted for an open-ended finish-one that gave the audience space for interpretation. Instead, it leans toward a somber closure that felt a little too final for a story that had so many emotional layers.

Still, Ronth is a commendable effort and a fresh take in Malayalam cinema.

The name Shahi Kabir is enough to pull you into this interestingly minimal night patrol cop drama. The leads (Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew) are well-written, and both their performances are superbly effective. We, as audiences, get to witness possibly one of the most compelling, challenging nights they go through as Officers on Patrol Duty (pun intended). The North Kerala landscape also adds so much to the proceedings, successfully sending chills down our spine when needed. The cases they deal with are also emotionally hard-hitting and carry life-altering consequences, making each incident either add more baggage or connect to a larger thread of events.

The setup is minimal when you think of it, but the writing and direction are splendid. The dialogues swing between humourously relatable and deeply moving; it's safe to say that both sides of the coin are effective. And when you know it's part of the Shahi Kabir Copverse™ (loved the Nayattu connection), you'd be anticipating that feeling of heaviness in the chest as the film concludes. I'm amazed how the writer-director can tell these realistically grounded stories as a cop himself.

Manesh Madhavan's scintillating cinematography (almost 3/4ths of the film unfolds at night), Anil Johnson's affecting music, and Praveen Mangalath's editing all help the film to a great extent. Certain parts of it could've easily been tagged as "psychological horror," and I would agree. I was instantly reminded of Training Day when I watched the trailer, but Ronth is a greater emotional beast, and it carries a core that's easy to connect to.