Officer On Duty Movie Review
Officer On Duty: A Gripping Crime Drama Undermined by Familiar Tropes
Despite a compelling emotional core and a standout performance by Kunchacko Boban, 'Officer On Duty' struggles to maintain its initial intrigue, ultimately succumbing to a predictable and formulaic narrative.Formally thrilling yet emotionally resonant, Officer On Duty explores the devastating consequences of drug abuse and the anguish it inflicts on families. Actor Jithu Ashraf's directorial debut, while rooted in a compelling theme, ultimately follows a familiar template that undercuts its narrative strength. The film's emotional weight is driven by the erratic yet deeply human portrayal of Circle Inspector Harishankar, played with intensity by Kunchacko Boban. His peculiar demeanor and simmering rage stem from personal turmoil, exacerbated by his demotion from DySP to Circle Inspector. This frustration is starkly evident in his introduction scene, where he symbolically discards his nameplate in the trash.
Shahi Kabir's screenplay sets the stage intriguingly, beginning with a chain theft on a bus and an alleged pawn shop scam involving Chandrababu (Jagadeesh). As a police officer, Harishankar is haunted by suicide cases that remind him of his own daughter's tragic fate. His personal life is in shambles, with his marriage to Geetha (Priyamani) teetering on the brink. The film also delves into the grim reality of drug abuse among youth, spearheaded by a ruthless peddling gang led by Vaisakh Nair's character. However, as the narrative unfolds, it shifts towards familiar tropes, including sexual exploitation under the influence of drugs and illicit video recordings. Despite a gripping buildup, the film eventually succumbs to a standard revenge-driven climax.
Harishankar, as a grieving father, becomes a symbol of justice for parents who have lost their children to the drug trade's sinister grip. While Officer On Duty initially promises an intense and layered narrative, it falters in sustaining momentum. Though Jithu Ashraf handles the subject matter with seriousness, the film struggles to weave a consistently compelling storyline. The most glaring issue lies in the protagonist's implausibly fortuitous breakthroughs, highlighting the screenplay's lack of depth in investigative elements.
Kunchacko Boban's portrayal of Harishankar's psychological turmoil is the film's strongest asset, lending authenticity to the character's inner conflict. The emotional arc surrounding his daughter's loss is powerfully conveyed, yet the secondary drug-mafia plot remains disappointingly predictable. His investigation in Bengaluru lacks credibility, further weakening the film's grip.
The turning point arrives when Harishankar stumbles upon an incriminating video linked to the drug trade, inadvertently entangling his own family in the case. The subplot involving Chandrababu's fake gold dealings feels somewhat sidelined, though Jagadeesh delivers a poignant performance as a grief-stricken father.
The film's climax relies on formulaic storytelling, making the villains' downfall feel rushed and unearned. Harishankar's journey toward unmasking the culprits is riddled with cliches, and the resolution lacks the innovation needed to leave a lasting impact. Despite these flaws, Jakes Bejoy's background score heightens the film's emotional weight, complemented by Roby Varghese Raj's evocative cinematography.
In essence, Officer On Duty is elevated by Kunchacko Boban's powerhouse performance and its emotionally charged premise. However, its reliance on well-worn crime drama conventions prevents it from becoming a truly groundbreaking thriller.
