In the world of Malayalam cinema, a new investigative thriller, aptly named ‘Anveshippin Kandethum,’ emerges, bringing with it a riveting plot and a fresh take on the detective genre. Helmed by debutant director Darwin Kuriakose, this cinematic piece introduces audiences to a story featuring not one, but two separate cases, intertwined within a singular narrative—an enticing proposition akin to purchasing two thriller tickets for the price of one.
The story is fronted by the astute sub-inspector Anand Narayanan, portrayed by the talented Tovino Thomas. Anand takes on the daunting task of unraveling both mysteries, doing so with a combination of shrewd police work and contemporary investigation techniques of the early ’90s—predominantly forensics and conventional detective legwork, complemented by the occasional custodial interrogation.
The backdrop of this tale is set in the year 1993, a time of limited technological assistance for law enforcement, yet adding to the film’s charm of old-school detective work. The grim discovery of teenager Lovely Mathen’s body lays the foundation for the first half of the film as local police feel the growing pressure to identify a suspect from outside the conflicting Christian factions of the area. The stakes are high, as the wrong accusation could set off a tinderbox of tension, potentially upending central Travancore’s delicate social equilibrium.
Enter Tovino Thomas’s Anand Narayanan, an overzealous and fresh appointee to the force whose lack of insight into the local factionalism makes him a sidelined figure, preventing him from tipping the scales of regional politics. Thomas shines in these moments, summoning a raw conveyance of helplessness and obedience as he observes his seniors pin the blame on an innocent man and box themselves into corners.
Just as the audience believes they can predict the trajectory of the film with the conclusion of the Lovely Mathen case, a twist in the storyline catapults Anand and his team into suspension. Now facing a six-year-old cold case, Anand views it as a lifeline for redemption and reinstatement, requiring creativity and unorthodox methods to break open the case. The resolution comes as an unexpected jolt to the viewer, a testament to the screenplay’s prowess.
Screenwriter Jinu Abraham garners applause for crafting suspense with masterful precision, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, and allowing the culprits’ reveal to be genuinely surprising. The plot wraps up with tidy, satisfying explanations that leave no thread untied.
Besides Thomas’s grounded performance as the central character, the film boasts an ensemble cast of seasoned actors in supporting roles. Notably, Indrans, Harisree Ashokan, Shammi Thilakan, Prem Prakash, Madhupal, Baburaj, and Kottayam Nazeer bring gravitas to their parts, regardless of screen time. Baburaj, in particular, delivers a standout portrayal as the panchayat president of Cheruvally, where the second murder investigation of Sreedevi unfolds.
Additionally, commendation is due for the production design team, who admirably recreated the setting of the 1990s, a period that poses its own unique challenges in terms of authenticity.
While debut directors are often inclined to infuse their first outings with a barrage of ideas and messages, Darwin Kuriakose manages to package ‘Anveshippin Kandethum’ as an engaging narrative that maintains its grip on the viewers despite a slower pace in certain segments.
‘Anveshippin Kandethum’ is presently on theatrical release, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in an era of suspenseful storytelling, where wits and intuition are the prime instruments wielded by a tenacious police force to unravel mysteries cloaked in the shrouds of the past.
