Ronth

The movie had potential, though the beginning scene merge was unnecessary and how they ended it was also unnecessary. Could have used the events to tell a commercial style story, something along the lines of Action Hero Biju in the tone of Officer on Duty. A missed opportunity. Because, the on-screen give and take was good. I don't why they chose tragedy, reminded me of films in the early 90's when tragedy was essential across media, let it be novels, serials or films. I don't know if anyone would watch films for engaging in that emotion anymore, especially it would cloud the experience of watching a movie if a hint of the story was given at the beginning. Even if tragedy was the aim, should have just started the film normally without any unnecessary editing gimmick. Otherwise, should have chosen to completely immerse into the slice of life genre.

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.

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.

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 .... a colloquial term used for referring to police night patrols of the neighbourhood, is the latest Malayalam movie that has dropped in on JioHotstar.

A rookie cop is paired up with a seasoned senior in a rural police station. The movie revolves around a night of their "Ronth" and how the night unfolds.

The movie beautifully weaves the uneasy relationship between the two , the senior giving a master class to the rookie on the philosophy of Policing , the monitoring of the patrols by the police control room, battling their personal demons & of course the departmental politics.

The variety of the incidents that they encounter from rescuing a child from a mentally challenged father to checking drunken driving is well scripted.

In one of the scenes , the senior stops to pick up mangoes that have fallen from a tree for his wife , tugs your heart .

As with Malayalam films when you think you have seen it all the end hits you with its unpredictability and shocks you.

Roshan Mathew as the Rookie Cop plays the perfect foil to Dileesh Pothan who plays the senior brilliantly

Watch RONTH which tells you that a movie without a heroine , songs , exotic locations or lavish sets can still grip you.

RONTH is yet another feather in the already overflowing crown of Malayalam films .