Movie Review: “Pravinkoodu Shappu” – A unique thriller with a gripping climax

“Pravinkoodu Shappu” is a fresh and engaging film with strong performances, smart writing and a different kind of humour.

Hyderabad: “Pravinkoodu Shappu” is a dark comedy crime thriller that keeps you hooked till the end with its gripping climax and unique storytelling. Set mainly in a toddy shop, the film begins with a shocking scene — a man found hanging — while a soft old song plays in the background. This blend of serious and humorous moments continues throughout the film.

The story revolves around SI Santhosh, a clever and calm police officer played by Basil Joseph. Instead of using force, he relies on his intelligence. When a man is found dead in the toddy shop, Santhosh starts his investigation. The suspects include a retired army man, a teacher, a thug, a toddy shop worker — all with shady pasts.

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Debutant director Sreeraj Sreenivasan, who also wrote the script, tells the story in a non-linear format. While the main character, Santhosh, is introduced early, the backgrounds of the other characters are revealed slowly, keeping the suspense alive.

The final 30 minutes are the most exciting, filled with unexpected twists. The investigation gets intense, but not all questions are answered, especially the true motive behind the murder. This leaves the ending slightly incomplete.

The performances are a major strength. Basil Joseph stands out as the smart cop, while Soubin Shahir brings depth to his emotional role. Shivajith impresses as Komban Babu, and the rest of the cast, including Chemban Vinod Jose and Chandini Sreedharan, deliver solid performances.

Visually, the film is impressive. Shyju Khalid’s cinematography beautifully captures the mood inside the toddy shop. The background score adds to the atmosphere, though the music is a bit too loud in some scenes. The editing is sharp and stylish, helping the story flow smoothly.

Final Verdict:

“Pravinkoodu Shappu” is a fresh and engaging film with strong performances, smart writing and a different kind of humour. Though the ending leaves a few things open, it’s a good pick for fans of crime thrillers with a twist.

Now streaming on: SonyLIV (Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi)

Director: Sreeraj Sreenivasan (Debut)

Producer: Anwar Rasheed

Cast: Basil Joseph, Soubin Shahir, Chemban Vinod Jose, Chandini Sreedharan

Runtime: 148 minutes

Genre: Black Comedy, Crime Thriller

Release Date: January 16 (Theatrical)