Garudan demonstrates that a compelling story, even if not fully realized due to other constraints, can make for an enjoyable cinematic experience when the screenwriting brings the key elements together cohesively.
Gist of the Story
After being involved in a crime, Nishanth, a college lecturer, and straightforward police officer Harish Madhav must battle for justice while the other must defend his integrity.
| Directed by | Arun Varma |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Midhun Manuel Thomas |
| Story by | Jinesh M |
| Produced by | Listin Stephen |
| Starring | Suresh Gopi Biju Menon |
| Cinematography | Ajay David Kachappilly |
| Edited by | Sreejith Sarang |
| Music by | Jakes Bejoy |
| Production company | Magic Frames |
Detailed Plot
Following the Rape of a College Student, Deputy Commissioner Begins Inquiry. The brutal rape of a female college student shocked the community and prompted law enforcement action. Deputy Commissioner of Police Harish Madhav (portrayed by actor Suresh Gopi) took the lead in investigating the crime. Within seven months, his diligent work and the efforts of his investigative squad led them to apprehend the perpetrator. Due process ensued and ultimately the criminal received a life sentence, providing some measure of justice and closure.
However, the story did not end there. Some seven years after the initial case was solved, a new development emerged that threatened to unravel the certainty of the past. Inspector Nishant (acted by Biju Menon) elected to reopen the case file, delving back into the details and evidence. This decision had profound consequences, creating significant anguish for Harish Madhav just as his career was coming to a close. On the very day of his retirement from the police force, the reopened case landed back on his desk, casting a pall over his achievement in solving the rape all those years ago.
Motivations and Resolution
The film explores the question of what could have motivated Inspector Nishant to disturb a crime thought settled with finality. Moreover, it depicts Harish Madhav’s struggle to overcome the personal toll of having his work undone at the end of his career. How he manages the professional and emotional fallout forms the core dramatic tension driving the plot forward. Resolution of these dynamics will leave the audience contemplating the complexities of law enforcement and justice’s elusive nature.
Artistes’ Performances
The performances in this film were truly outstanding across the board. Biju Menon and Suresh Gopi, as Nishanth and Harish respectively, both delivered fantastic work. Suresh Gopi, known for his exuberant portrayals, inhabited the character of Harish Madhav with an easy to understand combination of arrogance and obsession. He fully embodied Harish’s mindset and inner conflicts. As Nishanth, Biju Menon played the character’s transformation with such natural skill that I believe the film would have been a much greater challenge to watch if he had not delivered such a fluid and believable performance in this role.
Siddique also continued to demonstrate his strong abilities while serving as the advocate in the film. Though he had less screen time than some of the other actors, Jagadish gave perhaps the most compelling performance. He fully engaged the audience with his portrayal. It is clear that the veteran actor Jagadish has been making excellent choices in his recent roles and bringing remarkable depth to each character. Overall, this was an ensemble of talented performers who worked extremely well together. Each brought their own expertise and commitment to bringing these complex characters and storyline to life.
Direction / Technical Side
The Malayalam film Garudan, written by Midhun Manuel Thomas and inspired by Jinesh M’s narrative, stands out as one of the stronger investigative thriller films recently produced in the Malayalam cinema industry. Directed by Arun Varma, Garudan tells the story of an investigation into a mysterious death. Unlike several other Malayalam films within the same genre released in recent times, Garudan exhibited solid storytelling and was able to sustain viewer engagement throughout its runtime.
Despite some shortcomings, the film is an example of how a well-crafted screenplay can help overcome various production-related limitations. While the central mystery and the protagonist’s efforts to uncover the truth feel authentic and believable, the climactic resolution sequence appears somewhat rushed and overly dramatic. However, thanks to the gripping screenplay penned by Thomas, Garudan is still quite an engaging and entertaining watch even if the ending could have been strengthened. The intrigue built around the investigation keeps audiences invested in following the plot to its conclusion.
The narrative in the latter portion of the film begins to unfold in a foreseeably anticipated manner, if the compelling events of the first half have successfully maintained your undivided attention to the screen up until that point. For instance, the scenes set within the courtroom seemed artificially heightened and performative, particularly because advancing the plot demanded the injection of some dramatic flair. The musical score composed by Jakes Bejoy enhances the overall cinematic experience within the movie. Editor Sreejith Sarang executed a virtuosic job crafting the film. Cinematographer Ajith David Kachapilly performed some solid work behind the camera.
Verdict;
Overall, through its taut narrative and character-driven drama, Garudan stands out as one of the stronger Malayalam thriller films of its time. Though the film had some constraints, it had a compelling story that was told coherently through its tight narrative and character-driven drama. This helped make for an enjoyable cinematic experience despite the constraints, showing that a well-written story can overcome other shortcomings. In essence, the film stands out for its gripping plot and characterization, which work together to engage viewers.