Pravinkoodu Shappu review: A well staged and executed whodunit thriller

Pravinkoodu Shappu is the third investigative thriller in Malayalam cinema this year after Identity and Rekhachithram. 

The movie title, referring to a toddy shop, piqued curiosity, as it clearly centres around events in that shop.  The movie stars Basil Joseph, Soubin Shahir, Chemban Vinod, Sivajith and Chandni Sreedhar in the key roles.

Let’s see how the film fared.

Synopsis

The movie begins with the murder of Babu (Shivajith), the owner of a toddy shop in Mapranam, Thrissur, setting the stage for an investigation. The film follows a non-linear pattern as the police probe unfolds, revealing the characters’ backgrounds.

Santosh CJ (Basil Joseph), the investigating officer, isn’t your typical heroic cop but has a solid track record in solving crimes. Kannan (Soubin Shahir), the toddy shop employee, and his wife Merinda (Chandni Sreedhar) become key figures as the investigation progresses. The first half focuses on setting up the premise and introducing the characters.

The toddy shop caters to local drunkards and criminals, hinting at Babu’s involvement in illegal activities and rivalries in his business. As the investigation deepens, Santosh’s tragic past and personal connection to the case add intrigue, though revealing more would be a spoiler.

The second half introduces twists and new revelations, with Soubin Shahir’s character, a magician, playing a key role. These elements, along with the raw, realistic characters, create a compelling narrative. The story, set in a village, blends the fear of being framed with the unfolding mysteries, keeping the plot engaging. Debutant director Sreeraj Sreenivasan executes it well.

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Intriguing script

An interesting aspect of Pravinkoodu Shappu is that the murder is happening in a village and a parallel kind of investigation is done by Sunil (Chemban Vinod) and Kannan, who have a close association with Babu.

The major female character is Merinda and her role is written well. She also carries mysterious elements throughout and a major revelation happens towards the climax. The execution of the movie is very important in this story which has many layers. The script gives a chance to make people think of different aspects of the story. A multi-layered script and executing it with a different treatment is another major highlight of this movie.

Dark comedy is another aspect that has helped the movie engage with the audience.

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Technical aspects

The movie features strong technical work, starting with the audiography by Vishnu Vijay. The background score enhances the thrilling scenes, and the songs carry his distinct touch.

The cinematography by Shyju Khalid is excellent, with many visually striking scenes, particularly the climax and other suspenseful moments.

Shafeeq Muhammed Ali’s editing gives the film a sharp, engaging pace, contributing to its success as a thriller.

Performances

The movie features powerful performances from its lead actors. Basil Joseph shines as Santosh, a quirky policeman, with his unique body language adding depth to the role.

Soubin Shahir delivers an impressive performance as Kannan, a character with secrets, whose relationship with his wife, Merinda, adds emotional weight to the story.

Chandni Sreedhar stands out as Merinda, playing a key role in several gripping sequences. This is one of her best performances to date.

Chemban Vinod, as Sunil, plays an important role, contributing significantly to the plot. His talent for raw, intense roles is evident once again.

Shivajith impresses as Babu, with his strong, masculine presence making him a perfect fit for the character.

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Final take

Pravinkoodu Shappu is a mystery thriller with elements of dark comedy that work well for the film. The performances by Basil Joseph, Soubin Shahir, Chandni Sreedhar, and Chemban Vinod are all impressive.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)