Kannur Squad

Story: Kannur Squad is about a special four-member police investigation team that goes to north India to bring back some criminals. Will they succeed?

Review: Mollywood seems to be quite enamored by police procedural dramas, but while at one time our films featured senior officers investigating cases, we are now getting to see the foot soldiers in action. And it is interesting to see stories of the contributions and pain put in by lower rung policemen.

Kannur Squad is about a special four-member police investigation team, headed by ASI George, played by Mammootty. While they go the extra mile to get the work done, there is some resentment within police stations against the freedom that the squad gets. And a corruption allegation against a member of the team causes it to be dismantled. But when there is a high-profile murder and robbery at a politician’s house in Kasargod, George is asked to get the team together to nab the culprits.

The investigation leads to north India and, while the political situation gets restive in Kerala and questions arise on the team’s capability and reputation, George is determined to return home only with the criminals, despite the several obstacles the team has to face.

The film, co-scripted by Muhammed Shafi and actor Rony David Raj, and marking the directorial debut of cinematographer Roby Varghese Raj is reminiscent of Rajeev Ravi’s Kuttavum Shikshayum, particularly when the team ventures into UP’s Tikri village to catch someone who will lead them to the murderers. What works in this film’s favour is the fast-paced second half, which comes as a surprise. While the whole movie could have benefitted from a tighter script, particularly before the interval, the pace picks up.

Mammootty’s star power is unmissable and he has some good ‘massy’ dialogues, but the other actors, Rony, Azeez Nedumangad, Shabareesh Varma also have backstories that give their characters some weight. Ankith Madhav does a commendable job as a UP constable, who becomes a part of the team and guides them through the rough and unfamiliar parts of north India. It is good to see fresh, young talents like him and even Deepak Parambol in our industry.

On the downside, there are some gory moments that could have been avoided. Muhammed Rahil’s cinematography is excellent; wonderfully capturing dramatic moments in small spaces and the grandeur of landscapes. For this alone, the film is worth catching in cinemas.