'Thundu' does not have an investigative angle. Indeed, it deals with a pertinent topic and depicts the ego clash between two policemen.
'Thundu' has Biju Menon in lead role. (Supplied)
Cop stories have a set audience as these films usually have mass masala elements and other flavours to woo them to theatres.
However, realistic films like Kannur Squad (2023) and Anweshippin Kandethum (2024) have changed the way police stories are being presented in the Malayalam industry.
Thundu, starring Biju Menon as a police constable, is the latest addition to realistic cop stories released recently.
Interestingly, the movie does not have an investigative angle. Indeed, it deals with a pertinent topic and depicts the ego clash between two policemen.
Thundu has a theme that is less discussed in Malayalam cinema.
The film’s title (slips used in the exam hall for malpractice) itself reveals what it is all about.
The plot is evident from the trailer of the movie.
Baby (Biju Menon) and his son land in trouble for malpractice in respective exams.
Baby is a police constable working in the Thrissur district. His wife Seena (Unnimaya) is a tuition teacher.
Baby has several issues on the work front. For example, he meets with an accident on duty. Hence, he cannot finish much of his work properly. His professional issues impact his family life, too.
Adding to this, he has an ego clash with his fellow-cop Shibin (Shine Tom Chacko).
After getting caught for malpractice in the police department test, Baby is transferred.
What happens to Baby? Does he clear the exam?
‘Thundu’ is produced by Aashiq Usman. (Supplied)
Humour is the major takeaway of Thundu. Situational comedy helps the film maintain its momentum.
The opening scenes show how students indulge in malpractice in exams, even in government institutions.
An interesting factor in the story is that Baby, who advises his son against malpractice, resorts to the same at a crucial point in his life.
The film, in a way, reminds us of the recent Bollywood flick 12th Fail (2023).
Debutant director Riyaz Sharif invests a lot in detailing.
The plot is quite new for the Malayali audience but is presented interestingly.
Apart from the issues faced by Baby, the stupid antics of the police characters and the police dog sequence leave the audience in splits.
The songs by Gopi Sunder are a huge advantage for Thundu. The music director is back in Malayalam cinema after a short break. His compositions elevate the mood to a great extent.
Thundu has its flaws. The Malayalam movie fails to establish a connection in some scenes.
The reason for the feud between Baby and Shibin is only revealed towards the end, by which time the audience loses interest and patience.
A crisper script could have made this light-hearted movie more impactful.
Biju Menon and Shine Tom Chacko in ‘Thundu’. (Supplied)
Thundu has some good performances by Biju Menon. It is not a challenging role for the actor, but he pulls off the comedy scenes effortlessly.
Rafi, as Baby’s colleague Raghavan, delivers subtle comedy that works well in theatres.
Kottayam Nazeer, as a high-ranking police officer, is impressive. His roles in Anweshippin Kandethum and Jerry, too, won him accolades.
Unni Maya Prasad, as tuition teacher Seena, is good.
Shine Tom Chacko, as Shibin, is decent.
Johny Antony, Althaf Salim, and Shinz Khan have done their parts well.
Baiju Santosh, in his guest role, leaves a mark.
Thundu is not a usual cop story with an intriguing tale. It raises an important issue in the system.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
Apr 30, 2024
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