‘Ronth’ Review: A promising idea which deserves a better landing

Ronth is a Malayalam thriller that follows a senior cop and a rookie constable during a tense night patrol. While the film sets up a gripping mood and strong performances, the story feels rushed and ends too suddenly, leaving little emotional impact.

Hyderabad: Ronth, which hit JoiHotstar on July 22, brings a unique one-night police patrol concept to the screen but leaves you wanting more. Directed and written by Shahi Kabir, the film sets up an intense premise but struggles to maintain that edge throughout its runtime.

Set over the course of a single night, the story revolves around Sub-Inspector Yohannan (played by Dileesh Pothan) and a young constable Dinanath (Roshan Mathew) as they navigate the city streets, facing not just crime but their own inner conflicts. The idea is strong, and the setting works, but the story doesn’t go deep enough, and just when you expect something more, it ends. That sudden finish leaves you with a sense of incompleteness.

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The performances, however, are a major plus. Dileesh Pothan plays the weary officer with layered restraint, and Roshan Mathew brings a believable vulnerability to his role. Supporting actors Arun Cherukavil and Roshan Abdul Rahoof also contribute well, even if their roles are brief.

Technically, the film holds up. Manesh Madhavan’s cinematography captures the night-time mood of the city, and Anil Johnson’s music adds to the tension without overdoing it. Editing by Praveen Mangalath keeps things tight, but at times, the narrative feels too compressed; almost like it’s racing toward the end without allowing the story to breathe.

Ronth deserves credit for trying something different within the police procedural space. But while the atmosphere is gripping at times, the film doesn’t quite pack the emotional or dramatic punch it seems to promise.