sesht
The director and the main lead get together after one of their better outings, 1983. At the very outset, let me mention that I prefer that over this, both in terms of storytelling, and the plot itself. Not to say that this doesn't have meat on its bones, but its a largely plot less series of vignettes in the life of a passionate, honest cop, who believes in bending the rules to an extent, to justify his empathy for his fellow human being, whom he just happens to haul in the slammer (with reason!). Shot much better than '1983' was, with Pauly giving as great a performance as he did in that one, along with 'Premam, 'Ohm Shanthi Ohshaana', 'Premam', 'Bangalore days', 'Oru vadakkan selfie' and 'Neram'. Listed all those just to let you know that neither this, nor 'Premam', were flashes in the pan for this young talent. He has bulked up for the role, and I think I did see evidence of changes in his body language to be role-appropriate. The movie is more about its sub-plots, with the main lead, and the characters in his station, being our anchors. Most plot threads reach their conclusion, but if one comes in expecting 1 solid plot that unravels all the way to the end, you're in for a colossal disappointment (not that, exactly, but a let-down of sorts, that most of my friends seem to have experienced, and are quite vocal about). All the sub-plots are decent with one featuring Suraj Venjaramoodu (national award winner for the fantastic-yet-underseen 'Perariyaathavar') and another featuring character actress Rohini ('Baahubali', 'Ala Modalaindi', 'Nenu Sailaja').The songs, other than for the impromptu folk song at the station (gimmicky-than-organic, for a movie that's mostly organic, sadly), are completely forgettable, and could have been edited out. The background score, on the other hand, by Rajesh 'Premam' Murugesan, is pretty decent, though not as great as 'Premam' was. Also, for a movie that gives many of its sub-plots a chance, the leading lady is given short-shrift, leading me to conclude that her track could have been completely edited out, and the movie might have been all the better for that. Certain sub-plots also meander and go on for a while, like the one with the walkie-talkie, which ends, for lack of a better word, weirdly. Also, the irony that the makers wanted to highlight in another sub-plot, is far too heavy-handed/ham-fisted, except for the characterization of the family's patriarch, which is also something like a sore thumb sticking out. In a kinda weirdly (there's that word again) faux-climax, the wire- fu that's been avoided all the way until them makes an unwelcome appearance. Plus, all the main lead's acting cannot hide his character's need to verbalize exposition, and perhaps breaking down the 4th wall might just have worked as a narrative method, considering the few occasions when he sermonizes for no reason, giving us his past information (alright, not us, but sub-plot characters) for little/no reason. Credit to Nivin that he pulls those off too...All in all, definitely a good time at the movies, for a discerning audience, but something that could have been much, much more......
akshayambadi
Action hero biju is a tribute to one of the most thankless jobs in India - the one of normal policemen. Respect for Nivin Pauly for having chosen to invest in this unconventional yet hard hitting movie as his first production venture, that too when his commercial viability is at its peak. If i were mr.Thiruvanjoor Radhakrishnan who handles ministry for films at present, having held the helm of home ministry before, i would make this film tax free and arrange mandatory screening every for school/college. Social commitment through mass media at its heights. It could have been made a mass entertainer with a lot of scope for clichéd punch dialogues et all but director Abrid Shine chose it to make it as rooted to the ground as possible, devoid of any super human antics. As for actors, all characters will remain in and some will even haunt your psyche long after you have left the movie theatre and it would be an injustice to mention a few.Don't go by the name and expect a comedy fest or hard core action folks!! Go watch it with an open mind and experience how a non-mainstream film can entertain and provide you food for thought.
jonjomon
The movie is set in kochi and its outskirts, and takes us through the life line of a Sub Inspector (almost one month in his rather ordinary but eventful life). No extravagant sets, no Punch dialogues, No high octane stunts. In fact it has nothing out of the ordinary, everything is shown as it is.But still its entertaining enough for those who likes a reality check every now and then. Nivin Pauly in his first outing as a police officer didn't disappoint, he presented a rather believable (than a applaudable) cop, there are some bits of goose bump moments just for the fans, but still overall a good transition from the lover boy(not saying that no one could have done it better than him). The ambiance of the police station is captured like never before, and the director Abrid Shine deserves a pat on the back for that alone.Director and scripters have also tried to highlight some social relevant issues too, which is very welcome. Our society definitely needs some reminders.The movie stays apart from the rest of the so called investigative thriller masalas with its innate simplicity and realistic portrayal of a cops life with all the positives and negatives and challenges faced. Surajs Venjaramoods cameo is one to be looked out for. Almost all of the supporting cast and other characters excelled in subtly.Even though the whole movie is just a chain of events with no connectivity what so ever, you never feel that while you are watching it, and that i think is the biggest merit of the movie. 80's feel of the songs will definitely win over some of us who are into melodies and things. Nothing was out of place and some drone/helicam shots did show a beautiful birds-eye of Kochi. Note: its not an out of the box movie but definitely one that steps over the normal boundary of cop flicks. Don't wait for the DVD's on this one, go in with zero hype and you will be entertained.
