“What if the detective solving the mystery… is the weirdest thing about it?” Oh man, Detective Ujjwalan isn’t your run-of-the-mill whodunnit it’s part murder mystery, part fever dream, and totally its own vibe. Set in the hauntingly misty village of Plaachikkaavu, this Malayalam thriller throws you into a world where secrets rot beneath coconut trees and nothing is ever quite what it seems. You think you’re getting Sherlock Holmes in a mundu? Girl, think again.
Directed by the bold duo Rahul G and Indraneel Gopeekrishnan, this film is here to shake up your thriller checklist…with oddball characters, surreal tension, and a whole lotta Malayalam noir mood.
New release date alert!
Detective Ujjwalan was set to release on 16 May, but due to some reasons, it’s postponed release on 23 May
What Slaps: The Good Stuff!
Offbeat Concept: Kerala Noir With a Kick
A twisted crime in a sleepy village, an eccentric detective, and a plot full of bizarre twists? Yes please! The film blends folklore, local gossip, and psychological intrigue in a way that feels both deeply rooted and totally offbeat. It’s like Knives Out took a detour through the backwaters and got cursed along the way.
Visuals & Vibes: Deliciously Atmospheric
Cinematographers Prem Akkattu and Sraiyanti Haricharan serve up an eerie aesthetic. Fog-drenched paths, dimly lit rooms, and grainy color tones build a sense of dread that creeps under your skin. It’s not flashy, but it’s got flavor moody as hell and proud of it.
Music & Sound
Creepy, Comedic, Catchy Shoutout to Rzee, who understood the assignment and then remixed it. The background score slips between playful and spine-tingling like it’s changing outfits for a crime-themed fashion show. You won’t find big melodrama here, just subtle notes that know exactly when to pounce.
The Cast: Who’s Who in This Circus of Secrets?
Dhyan Sreenivasan as Detective Ujjwalan
Who would’ve guessed that Dhyan had this in him? The trailer depicts his part as delightfully weird, emotionally conflicted, and surprisingly sharp performance. Ujjwalan is not your perfect sleuth…he’s anxious, scattered, borderline conspiratorial…but Dhyan makes it work. He brings in just the right blend of sarcasm, paranoia, and vulnerability. One minute you’re laughing at him, the next you’re like, “Wait, he might be the only sane one here.”
Siju Wilson as Ravi
A perfect counterbalance. Calm, composed, and clearly fed up with Ujjwalan’s chaos…but still loyal. Siju is known for a grounded, restrained performance that holds the movie together when things get extra wacky. Their odd couple dynamic? Lowkey addictive.
Supporting Cast
The village is packed with suspicious characters, each one weirder than the last. From nosy aunties to shady shopkeepers, every side character adds to the unease…and the laughs. Could they have been developed more? Sure. But do they color the world vividly? Absolutely.
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Director Watch: Rahul G & Indraneel Gopeekrishnan…Double Trouble with Vision
These two clearly wanted to make something different and babe, mission accomplished. They reject conventional storytelling in favor of ambiguity, tonal shifts, and strange humor. It’s risky, but when it lands, it lands. They bring out strong performances, lean into visual storytelling, and create a village that feels like its own living, haunted entity. Are there missteps? Yes. But for a debut duo trying to break the mold, it’s impressive.
What the Internet’s Saying: The Streets Are Buzzing!
“Exactly! My favourite kind of thrillers.”
Fans are loving the fresh flavor quirky, experimental, and proudly regional. It’s being praised for daring to mix tones in a genre that usually sticks to the script.
“Never thought I’d be hyped for a Dhyan movie!”
Right?! Dhyan Sreenivasan has surprised everyone. Even folks who previously side-eyed his filmography are now like, “Okayyy, detective king, we see you.”
“Creepy, cool, and confusing in a good way.”
Yup, the general consensus is that this film doesn’t give you easy answers, and that’s exactly what makes it rewatchable. It’s not spoon-feeding the story, it’s daring you to chew.
Should You Watch It?
Oh honey, YES. If you’re into thrillers with personality, films that play with form, and stories that trust the audience to keep up, this one’s for you. It’s messy. It’s moody. It’s memorably off-kilter. And even when it stumbles, it stumbles with style.
Watching Detective Ujjwalan is like peeling a banana and finding a mystery novel inside it doesn’t make sense at first, but you can’t stop reading. It’s unpredictable, it’s fresh, and it’s got that cult-classic energy simmering just beneath the surface.
Quirky, ambitious, and totally watchable. Not perfect, but perfectly interesting. (Your favorite film sleuth with sass. Bookmark this review you’ll want to come back once the credits roll.)
Rating: 7/10 ⭐
Written By: MANSI SINGH