Corona Papers

Story: Newly-joined SI Rahul's gun gets stolen in a crowded bus. The missing gun unravels a chain of crimes, including a bank robbery and murders. Will he be able to get out of the legal and emotional tangles the gun puts him into?

Review: Inspired from Akira Kurasawa's gritty suspense thriller Stray Dog made in 1949, filmmaker Priyadharshan is here with police drama happening in the time of COVID-19. If the former is placed in the backdrop of the desperate social conditions of postwar Japan, the later, apparently tries to explore the socio-economic conditions in the pandemic era. Apart from a few things like the mask, PPE kit and sanitisation sprays, the film seems to be happening during the 'normal time'.

On a sunny afternoon, newly joined SI of Kerala Police Rahul misses his official gun in a crowded bus. Instead of reporting it the authorities, his superiors and he decide to catch the culprit themselves. Little did they know that searching for the gun would invite them to a series of crimes filled with vengeance, greed and treachery.

Actor Sidhique, who plays a retired police officer who had to face a lot of legal backlashes after his superiors plant an encounter case on him, does a fantastic job with his impeccable acting prowess. Shane, Shine and Lal give the audience some breathless moments with some interesting stunt sequences. Nevertheless, the film fails to engage as the characters lack depth.

This crime thriller isn't the best of director Priyadarshan.
-Anjana George