A scene from the movie Paathirathri.
Paathirathri (Malayalam)
Route: Ratheena
Starring: Navya Nair, Soubin Shahir, Ann Augustine, Sunny Wayne, Achyuth Kumar, Shabareesh Varma, Indrans, Athmiya Rajan, Harisree Ashokan
Plot: Throughout an evening patrol, two law enforcement officials fail to report an incident they’re witness to, however it comes again to hang-out them and places their careers on the road.
Runtime: 125 minutes
One of many surest bets for viewers appreciation within the present purple patch of Malayalam cinema has been lifelike police procedurals. An intriguing screenplay bringing out all of the essential little particulars of the investigation and a reasonably stunning twist within the story might flip a movie right into a field workplace winner. However this development is now slowly turning right into a formulation, with makers at instances mechanically repeating all of the acquainted beats of the style.
Usually in such instances, they could get the bigger image proper, however will find yourself lacking the little particulars that make for standout cinema. In Ratheena’s sophomore movie Paathirathri, one might simply draw parallels to lots of the current movies within the style in Malayalam, proper from the police protagonists with troubled private lives to the needle of suspicion in against the law turning in the direction of them. Right here, coincidentally, each Sub-Inspector Jancy (Navya Nair) and civil police officer Hareesh (Soubin Shahir) are having bother of their respective households.
Hareesh can be proven to be having an ill-will in the direction of ladies usually, a side of his character which was anticipated to come back into play when he heads out along with Jancy for night time patrol responsibility. However within the screenplay written by Shaji Maarad, particulars equivalent to this are launched just for them to mysteriously soften away with none purpose, turning them into particulars included only for the sake of it. Alternatively, we see the 2 of them instantly turning into emotional assist for one another after getting caught in a significant disaster that threatens their profession.
Screenplay’s failure
However how the movies treats these characters is the lesser of its issues, in comparison with the uninspiring and ineffective method through which the investigation and the revelations are portrayed. When a seemingly massive revelation on the climax of a movie fails to offer one even a minor jolt, it signifies the screenplay’s failure in convincingly carrying us together with the narrative. Though Ratheena’s spectacular debut Puzhu additionally suffered from writing issues, she displayed the aptitude to drive it alongside unfamiliar paths, not like in Paathirathri.
Aside from the 2 protagonists in addition to Achyuth Kumar (of ‘Kantara’ fame) as a senior police officer and Ann Augustine, no different character will get a correct arc. Jancy’s husband Felix (Shabareesh Varma) seems occasionally to ship hole traces on his non secular quest, whereas Harisree Ashokan additionally will get a forgettable position. On the fag finish of the movie, Jancy will get a line to attach their private lives with the case they simply dealt with, however it comes too late within the day to make an affect. A lot of the detailing simply provides to the flab, somewhat than including to our understanding of the characters or the scenario they’re caught in.
In following a style by the e-book, Paathirathri fails to deliver any novelty to the desk or inject pleasure to the proceedings.
Paathirathri is at the moment operating in cinemas.
Printed – October 17, 2025 08:38 pm IST