Kerala

Officer on Duty review: Kunchacko Boban is remarkable in this shaky investigation thriller

The police story – yet another one by cop turned scriptwriter Shahi Kabeer – marks the debut of director Jithu Asharef.

Written by : Cris

There are indications of a structured film – from the newly printed name plate of its protagonist, to his references to an absent character – as Officer on Duty begins, suggesting a well-packed thriller. But they end up as half-baked structures, as disturbing characterisations start falling into the picture. The writing appears to grow weak, falling back on aged stereotypes. Powerful performances – most remarkably by Kunchacko Boban playing the lead as a troubled police officer – and music by Jakes Bejoy keep the film engaging, but cannot wipe away the sprinkling of problematic parts. 

The police story – yet another one by cop turned scriptwriter Shahi Kabeer – marks the debut of director Jithu Asharef, who also plays a crucial role in it. The film begins with him in a curious outfit – a police officer’s shirt and boxer shorts – writing a note in a dimlit room, drops of perspiration forming on his balding head. Kunchacko Boban’s introduction happens later, and as soon as he turns his face, trouble begins. 

You might make space for his problematic behaviour – and it is problematic – not knowing what the script has in store. He need not be an angel just because he is playing the lead, he need not play the righteous cop and can in fact be the very opposite. But except for admitting that this police officer is a troublemaker, the script appears to be defensive of his aggressive ways.

Clearly this man, Hari, had issues. You come to learn of it, not in the easy way, the director leaving clues and vaguely putting them together, not quite pulling off the non-linear storytelling. It is a different ballgame when smart filmmaking lets the audience cue in and take home their own interpretations or figure out what’s unsaid. Officer on Duty does not fall into the same category.

The premise is interesting. What appears to be a petty case of counterfeit jewellery leads to a cobweb of crimes, involving theft, sexual assault, drugs and more. Where the script lacks is in expanding it into a package and writing the ‘bad’ characters. As soon as the ‘villain’ gang appears on screen, you realise the film has gone back decades, bringing alive forgotten stereotypes of wrongful youngsters, by the way they look, behave and indulge in vices. 

After some pacey storytelling in the earlier half, when Hari and his men follow the leads one after another, the film takes the tone of a stretched revenge drama, adding heavy doses of violence, unruliness, stunts and chases. The backstory, which could have come out really well given all the pieces fall into place with it, lacks effect with what looks like some hurried writing. It is still appreciable, the way it connects the dots, and gives some agency to little explored characters like Priyamani’s. 

Jagadish is wonderful in his telling role. Pats to the young team, led by Vishak Nair and including new faces like Leya Mammen, for all the action - and there is a lot. 

Hats off to Kunchacko Boban for not only portraying with ease the varying shades of his complex character, but also wilfully playing dad to a teenage girl, something leading male actors in Malayalam are not quite accustomed to even at the late stages in their career. 

Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film’s producers or any other members of its cast and crew.