Detective Ujjwalan (2025) Movie: Dhyan Sreenivasan’s Comedy Can’t Save This Weak Mystery
Detective Ujjwalan brings Dhyan Sreenivasan back to screens in a comedy-mystery that tries hard but doesn’t quite hit the mark. Directed by Indraneel Gopeekrishnan and Rahul G, this Malayalam film joins the Weekend Cinematic Universe as its second offering.
The movie takes us to Plaachikkaavu village, where our protagonist works as a local detective. Siju Wilson and Rony David Raj join the cast, with Sophia Paul producing under the Weekend Blockbusters banner.
The Story That Could Have Been Better
Ujjwalan faces off against a mysterious villain in what should be a thrilling cat-and-mouse game. The village setting provides a nice backdrop, but the mystery never really grips you the way it should.
I found myself waiting for the big reveal, but when it came, it felt predictable and underwhelming. The plot moves at an uneven pace, jumping between light moments and serious detective work without finding the right balance.
Performances That Save Some Scenes
Sreenivasan does what he does best – making us laugh with his natural comic timing. His portrayal of the village detective has moments of genuine charm that reminded me why he’s so popular with Malayalam audiences.
The supporting cast, including Kottayam Nazeer and Seema G Nair, brings authenticity to the rural setting. However, I felt the villain lacked the menace needed to make the stakes feel real throughout the film.
Technical Craft Shows Mixed Results
The cinematography captures Kerala’s countryside beautifully, giving us postcard-worthy visuals of village life. Yet, I noticed the color treatment varies noticeably between scenes, breaking the visual flow of the narrative.
Music composition stays appropriate for the genre without creating memorable moments. The editing could have been tighter, especially during the middle portions where the film loses momentum significantly.
The Good and Not-So-Good
The film works best when it embraces its comedic side completely. Sreenivasan’s interactions with fellow villagers create genuine laughs that kept me entertained during slower moments of the mystery plot.
Where it falters is in building suspense and maintaining thriller elements. The mystery angle feels forced rather than organic, and I never felt the tension that good detective stories usually create.
How Critics and Viewers Responded
Professional reviewers gave it mixed reactions, with most settling around 2.5 out of 5 stars. The general consensus points to decent comedy but weak thriller execution throughout the film.
IMDb ratings sit at 6.2/10, suggesting regular moviegoers enjoyed it more than film critics did. This difference often happens when a film entertains despite having obvious flaws in storytelling or technical execution.
My Rating: 2.5/5
