The Malayalam film industry has been consistently delivering gripping action and crime thrillers, and Officer on Duty is the latest addition to the list. Directed by Jithu Ashraf in his directorial debut, the film stars Kunchacko Boban in the lead role and has already garnered decent success at the Malayalam box office. Now, the crime investigation thriller is available for streaming on Netflix in multiple languages, including Telugu. It remains to be seen how well the film resonates with digital audiences.
Strong Performances and a Suspenseful Plot
Officer on Duty follows the story of Circle Inspector Hari Shankar (Kunchacko Boban), who resumes duty after being suspended. Hari’s intimidating nature often lands him in trouble with his colleagues. On his first day back, he is assigned a gold chain theft case. However, the investigation takes a dark turn when a young girl connected to the case ends her life under mysterious circumstances.
As Hari digs deeper, he begins to suspect a link between the girl’s death, a Bengaluru cop’s suicide, and the gold chain theft. The investigation becomes personal as Hari’s troubled past resurfaces, including the tragic death of his daughter. His wife, Geetha (played by Priyamani), also seeks a divorce, adding to his emotional turmoil. The film unravels the mystery behind these interconnected events and how Hari solves the case forms the crux of the story.
Stellar Cast and Direction
Kunchacko Boban delivers a compelling performance, portraying both the emotional and action-driven aspects of his character with precision. Priyamani impresses in the role of Hari’s wife, delivering emotional depth to her character. Supporting performances by Jagadish and Vishak Nair also add weight to the narrative.
Director Jithu Ashraf has crafted a gripping atmosphere with a well-paced narrative, especially in the first half. The character development and emotional undertones make the storyline engaging. However, the second half loses momentum due to a stretched narrative and a few predictable plot points.
Technical Brilliance
The film benefits from strong technical contributions. Roby Varghese Raj’s cinematography enhances the intensity of key moments, especially during action sequences. Jakes Bejoy’s background score adds to the suspense and emotional weight of the story. Chaman Chakko’s editing is sharp but could have benefited from trimming some of the slower sequences in the second half.
Final Verdict
Officer on Duty is a blend of crime investigation and emotional drama, highlighting a father’s grief and professional challenges. While the film showcases strong performances and an engaging premise, it falters slightly due to a lack of sustained suspense and a sluggish second half. Nevertheless, Kunchacko Boban’s powerful portrayal and the gripping first half make it a worthwhile watch for fans of crime thrillers. With its availability on Netflix, the film now has the potential to reach a wider audience and gain recognition beyond the Malayalam-speaking regions.
Movie Details:
- Movie Name: Officer on Duty
- Release Date: February 14, 2025
- Director: Jithu Ashraf
- Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Priyamani, Jagadish, Vishak Nair
- Producers: Martin Prakkat, Renjith Nair, Siby Chavara
- Music: Jakes Bejoy
- Cinematography: Roby Varghese Raj
- Editing: Chaman Chakko
- Platform: Netflix
