Detective Ujjwalan (2025) Movie: Why Dhyan Sreenivasan’s Comedy Can’t Save This Mystery

Detective Ujjwalan marks the second entry in the Weekend Cinematic Universe after Minnal Murali. This Malayalam mystery comedy comes from first-time directors Indraneel Gopalakrishnan and Rahul G. The film stars Dhyan Sreenivasan as the bumbling village detective, alongside Siju Wilson and Rony David Raj.

Sophia Paul produces this quirky village tale under Weekend Blockbusters. The story unfolds in Plaachikkaavu village, where our hero must solve his toughest case yet. Supporting cast includes Kalabhavan Navas, Mathew Puthukadan, and Seema G. Nair. The film was shot across Palakkad district locations including Kollengode and Nenmara.

Story That Tries Too Hard

The plot centers on Ujjwalan, a small-time detective who tackles village disputes and missing chickens. His peaceful life changes when a serial killer starts targeting locals. While police scramble, Ujjwalan begins his own investigation using unconventional methods.

What starts as a simple murder mystery becomes a battle of wits between detective and killer. The village setting provides authentic flavor, but the story feels stretched thin. Directors attempt to balance comedy with thriller elements, creating an uneven tone throughout.

I noticed the screenplay struggles with pacing issues. Some scenes drag unnecessarily while others rush past important plot points. The rural Kerala backdrop looks beautiful, giving the film its strongest visual appeal.

Performance That Saves The Day

Dhyan Sreenivasan carries the entire film on his shoulders. His portrayal of the clumsy yet determined detective brings most laughs. His comic timing remains sharp, making even weak dialogue work. This performance alone makes the film watchable.

Siju Wilson does what he can with limited screen time. His character lacks proper development, feeling more like a plot device. Rony David Raj similarly gets restricted to supporting Dhyan’s jokes without much individual impact.

The supporting cast feels wasted. Kalabhavan Navas delivers some genuine laughs but appears sporadically. Mathew Puthukadan has funny moments that needed better writing. Seema G. Nair provides the only significant female presence but gets minimal screen time.

Direction Shows Promise But Lacks Focus

Indraneel Gopalakrishnan and Rahul G show clear vision for their debut project. They understand local humor and create believable village atmosphere. However, their control over narrative structure needs improvement.

The mystery elements feel poorly planned. Clues appear randomly without proper setup. The killer’s identity lacks logical build-up, making the revelation feel cheap. I expected better integration between comedy and thriller aspects.

Technical aspects present mixed results. Cinematography captures village life beautifully. Color grading looks inconsistent, especially during night scenes. Background music works well during comic sequences but fails during tension moments.

What Actually Works Here

The film succeeds when focusing on village humor and local characters. Scenes showing Ujjwalan’s daily detective work feel genuine. The Kerala setting provides natural comedy through cultural references and regional jokes.

World-building deserves praise for creating a lived-in village community. Characters feel connected to their environment. This foundation works well for the cinematic universe concept, making viewers want more stories from this world.

I enjoyed watching Ujjwalan interact with villagers during his investigation. These moments showcase natural chemistry between actors. The film works best as a lighthearted comedy rather than serious mystery.

Where It Goes Wrong

The thriller portions completely fall flat. The villain lacks proper motivation or scary presence. Murder scenes feel staged rather than genuinely threatening. Plot twists arrive without proper setup, making them predictable.

Pacing problems hurt the viewing experience badly. The first half moves too slowly while the climax feels rushed. Important character developments get glossed over. Mystery solving lacks the logical progression good detective stories need.

I found the tone inconsistency most frustrating. Comedy scenes work well, but thriller moments feel forced. The film never decides what it wants to be, leaving viewers confused about its purpose.

Critics And Audience Response

Times of India gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars. Their review highlighted strong comic performances but criticized weak thriller elements. Other critics shared similar concerns about inconsistent tone and pacing issues.

IMDb ratings currently stand at 6.2, showing moderate audience reception. Netflix viewers have mixed reactions, with many praising Dhyan’s performance while criticizing the mystery plot.

Regional critics appreciated the authentic Kerala setting and local humor. However, most agreed the film fails as a proper mystery thriller. Public reviews often mention disappointment with the climax and villain portrayal.

My Final Take

Detective Ujjwalan had potential to become something special. The Weekend Cinematic Universe concept works, and the village setting feels authentic. Dhyan Sreenivasan delivers a solid performance that keeps things entertaining.

Unfortunately, weak writing and poor mystery elements drag the film down. The directors show promise but need better script control. As light entertainment, it works fine for a casual watch.

I recommend this for fans of Malayalam comedy rather than mystery thriller enthusiasts. It serves its purpose within the cinematic universe but won’t be remembered as a standout film.

Rating: 2.8/5