My quick take on Malayalam movie “Officer on Duty” (Netflix) : The Only Investigation Where I Didn’t Mind Losing Sleep—Even on a Sleeper Bus!
There are two kinds of rides in life—one that shakes you up with potholes and honking trucks, and the other that shakes up your mind with suspense and plot twists. Thanks to Officer on Duty, my overnight bus ride from Bharuch to Pune turned into the latter. While my fellow passengers were busy wrestling with neck pillows and snoring symphonies, I was glued to my screen, completely sucked into a world of crime, mystery, and Kunchacko Boban’s brooding intensity.
Malayalam cinema has once again proven that when it comes to investigative thrillers, they play in god mode. If storytelling were a crime, these filmmakers would be on every wanted list. We’ve seen them deliver absolute bangers—Drishyam (which turned every viewer into an amateur criminal mastermind), Anjaam Pathiraa (which made us look at serial killers with unsettling fascination), Joseph (which made retirement look terrifying), and Nayattu (which had us questioning everything we knew about justice). Officer on Duty joins this elite squad, armed with a tight screenplay, razor-sharp writing, and enough twists to leave your brain begging for mercy.
Real Cops, Not Just Movie Cops
The film’s biggest strength? It actually feels real. Most cop thrillers make you roll your eyes at officers who solve crimes by dramatically removing sunglasses and delivering one-liners. Not here. Every procedure, every investigation, every loophole is so meticulously detailed that you’d think the writer has spent half his life in a police station (either as an officer or a very inquisitive suspect). Shahi Kabir’s script doesn’t just tell a story—it reconstructs a crime scene so well that you almost feel like you’re inside the case file.
Kunchacko Boban: The Brooding Genius
Ah, Kunchacko Boban. The man who once made us swoon in rom-coms is now making us sweat with his intense performances. His Inspector Harishankar isn’t your usual “hero cop” who single-handedly takes down a crime empire while delivering punch dialogues. He’s layered—more complex than a Malabar parotta, with a past that haunts him, a present that tests him, and choices that could change everything. Just when you think you understand him, the film throws in a twist that leaves you gaping. If “keeping audiences hooked” were an Olympic sport, Boban would take home gold.
We’ve seen him steal the show in Nayattu, Anjaam Pathiraa, and Take Off, and here, he’s once again in top form—understated, intense, and absolutely magnetic. His performance in Officer on Duty is the kind that sneaks up on you—quiet, calculated, and then, bam! It hits you like a surprise speed breaker.
Action With a Side of Suspended Physics
Let’s address the elephant in the interrogation room—some of the action sequences are, well, a little over the top. There are moments where physics takes a short vacation, and gravity seems to be reconsidering its career choices. But honestly? It works. When the plot is this gripping and the screenplay this tight, a few high-flying stunts feel less like a stretch and more like a well-earned adrenaline rush. It’s like adding a little extra spice to a nadan curry—your brain questions it, but your heart enjoys the burn.
Storytelling That Deserves a Standing Ovation
The real MVP of Officer on Duty? The way the story unfolds. Multiple tracks run parallel, each with its own weight, and then—slowly, skillfully—they start to merge. Every subplot is a gear in a well-oiled crime-thriller machine, and by the time the full picture emerges, you’ll want to rewind just to appreciate how cleverly it all fits together. It’s storytelling at its sharpest—like peeling an onion, except instead of tears, you get mind-blown gasps.
My Unexpected Travel Buddy
This movie was my unexpected upgrade to first-class entertainment on a sleeper bus ride. Usually, long bus journeys come with free bonuses—potholes that launch you into orbit, drivers who think they’re in a Fast & Furious reboot, and at least one uncle who believes his phone call should be heard by the entire state. But not this time. I was too engrossed in Officer on Duty to care. The suspense kept me awake, the action kept my adrenaline pumping, and the twists made me momentarily forget that I was curled up in a bunk with a stranger’s elbow invading my personal space.
Final Verdict: Watch It. Yesterday.
Malayalam cinema doesn’t just make thrillers—they craft experiences. And Officer on Duty is another jewel in their ever-growing crime-thriller crown. If you haven’t watched it yet, drop whatever you’re doing (yes, even that endless doomscrolling) and hit play. Just be warned—you’ll be at the edge of your seat, no matter where you’re sitting.
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