Varikuzhiyile Kolapathakam first half review highlights: A gripping murder mystery

Varikuzhiyile Kolapathakam is writer-director Rejishh Midhila's second outing after the comedy Lal Bahadur Shastri which starred Jayasurya, Nedumudi Venu and Aju Varghese. However, Varikuzhiyile Kolapathakam, like the name suggests, is a murder mystery. But it isn't your run-of-the-mill whodunnit murder mystery.
Arayamthuruth is a fictional remote inland island with no school or police station.So, the protagonist, a policeman-turned-pastor is the de facto head of the island. One day the pastor witnesses a murder being committed, but doesn't see the victim. And the murderer makes it impossible for the pastor to spill the secret by confessing to him. The 'seal of confession' is unassailable and that rides the pastor's ethical dilemma.
As the interval approaches, the pastor in a ethical and moral dilemma. He cannot let a murder go unpunished. But he doesn't even know the victim. Neither can he can ever give away a confession.
Amit Chalackal, who plays the pastor carries the narrative on his shoulders. Dileesh Pothen, Nedumudi Venu, Lal, etc are at their best as their respective characters. Rejishh Midhila's theme in itself is promising. Mejo Joseph's background score adds to the element of mystery. Eldho Issac cranks the camera for Varikuzhiyile Kolapathakam. With clean frames and a crisp editing the movie shows promise.
Varikuzhiyile Kolapathakam is a gripping murder mystery with a difference. It isn't about finding who the murderer is, but about who was mudered and why there is a murder.