Director Jeethu Joseph is well known for gripping murder mysteries, especially the acclaimed Drishyam series.
With Drishyam 3 already in the works, one of his recent films, Valathu Vashathe Kallan, has now arrived on Amazon Prime Video.
The film earlier had a theatrical release in Malayalam but reportedly suffered heavy losses, making it one of the bigger commercial setbacks among smaller Malayalam productions this year.
Despite the disappointing box office run, the film works reasonably well as a one-time watch on OTT. It is a slow-burn crime thriller that moves at an uneven pace but still manages to hold attention in parts.
Two major reasons to try the film are its lead actors, Joju George and Biju Menon. Both actors have gained a following among Telugu OTT audiences through several Malayalam films.
Their presence creates an expectation of a solid thriller, and with Jeethu Joseph directing, the anticipation naturally rises, though the film only partially meets it.
The story follows an ethical hacker played by Joju George who lives quietly with his wife and daughter.
His daughter, a law student and activist, fights against injustice involving a powerful politician’s son and a corrupt police officer. When she is brutally murdered, the father seeks justice and revenge.
The film draws inspiration from Hollywood thrillers, particularly Buried, mixing elements of intense confinement drama with the moral dilemmas seen in Drishyam. While the idea is intriguing, the execution feels inconsistent.
Overall, it may not match the expectations set by the director and cast, but as an OTT watch for crime thriller fans, it works as a passable time-pass film.
