Detective Ujjwalan

Detective Ujjwalan is a painful exercise in missed potential. The film lacks a proper script, meaningful dialogues, and any emotional depth. What remains is a string of lifeless scenes stitched together without rhythm or any real flow. The editing is abrupt, the background score is uninspired, and the visual storytelling is severely limited.

The idea of setting the story in a village is nice. But the film offers little more than close-up shots and dull faces, failing to create any charm or appeal. It tries to pass off as an old-school adventure, but it ends up being a below-par, boring piece of pointless fluff. And unlike what some say, this is not quirky like Scooby Doo. It's boring as hell.

Dhyan Sreenivasan, in the lead, gives a performance so dull it feels unfair to the audience and the story alike. He brings no spark to Ujjwalan, a protagonist who is neither heroic nor remotely interesting. Siju Wilson starts off well as a police officer, but his sudden devotion to Ujjwalan makes no sense.

There's nothing that holds the viewer. No emotions to connect with, no solid plot to follow, and no reason to care. The storytelling is stale, and the whole thing feels empty. Maybe Vineeth Sreenivasan could have played Ujjwalan better. Someone with the hidden humour and flair, like his Adv. Mukundan Unni? Just a thought.

Ultimately, it is a dull, boring affair. It's supposed to be a mystery, but you're too bored to want answers. That should say it all.

Detective Ujjwalan is a refreshingly quirky thriller that brings a unique blend of humor, suspense, and drama to the table. The film tells the story of Ujjwalan, a detective played by Dhyan Sreenivasan, who embarks on a mission to solve a complex case involving a missing person. The film's narrative is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing. The pacing is well-balanced, moving seamlessly from fast-paced action sequences to slower, more introspective moments.

With strong performances and a well-crafted narrative, it is a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Good.

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 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.

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.