There was a time in Malayalam cinema when police roles were regarded as the climax for every actor who wanted to be a mass hero. In their attempt to present these actors as larger-than-life saviours, majority of these cop films ended up worshipping khaki machismo and its brutalities. However, this has significantly changed lately and now police stories have come to lay more emphasis on little known struggles of individual cops and how they are just part of a bigger picture. Unda, Salute, Nayattu, Kuttavum Shikshayum, Kannur Squad. Modern-day movie makers have been scrupulously delineating these policemen as normal masculine beings with the positive and negative aspects. Anweshippin Kandethum also consists of some other cops with varied shades.
The protagonist Anand Narayanan (Tovino Thomas), who has just joined the force, is that embodiment with his youthful spirit and excitement while his juniors are either quiet spectators or tired or just playing safe for long enough.
Primarily Anweshippin Kandethum deals with two murder investigations but completely unrelated ones. Only common thread between both cases is the investigating team led by Anand. Jinu V Abraham, who has written thrillers such as Masters and Adam Joan seems to have done adequate research about police procedures and protocols guiding them during their work. In the first case we find out how such sub-inspector starts from scratch going through endless information pieces before reaching upon suspects. That sense of purpose in dealing with this particular case is however missing in handling the second one which comes with multiple challenges. During this time round detectives are not motivated until it “happens” that they stumble upon few leads.
This narrative takes place in late 80s-early 90s so that there is only minimal involvement of technologies in the investigation therefore making it more thrilling.
While not adding much to the narrative, it is observed that the two cases are set in completely different environments. The first case happens in a dense green surrounding and this is well captured by Gautham Sankar, the cinematographer, while the second is based on a dry and hilly terrain. There are some interesting similarities between these two cases apart from their geographical contrast like both murders being done in honour’s name. The investigation also takes place in hostile environs. Unlike first because of religious and political interference, the second has public outcry among residents who have been oppressed by police. The makers also use some regular thriller tropes such as red herrings in both cases to lead us into suspense till the very end. However one can only wish for less wordy storytelling especially in the later instance so that imagery speaks better than dialogues. Maybe there was just too much to uncover which would have further extended its duration.
Few of those who make a movie on their debut impress like newbie director Darwin Kuriakose does with his able group of technicians. Whereas the authentic production design by Mohandas ensures that the film looks like it is set in the 90s, Santhosh Narayanan (composer) and Saiju Sreedharan (editor) provide some nail-biting moments. With Tovino Thomas taking the lead, he appears to have lived the role as a new police officer in terms of body language and energy especially.
However, even when they try to conceal the matter, Anand’s superiors (Kottayam Nazeer and Azees Nedumangad) don’t succeed because of his conscience. When his father a retired constable (played by Tovino’s real dad Ellikkal Thomas) is mentioned casually, you understand where he gets his honesty from.
Nonetheless, very little is known about three other members of this team Sukumaran (Pramod Veliyanad), Khader Hasan (Rahul Rajagopal) and Chandrasenan (Vineeth Thattil). Although having an interesting mix of actors, but then fails to use them properly but just makes them subordinates. These characters would have been better if they had more depth and personality. Oops but yes maybe that’s what we can read from its last scene.
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