A Promising Thriller Undone by Weak Execution
Backed by the production house of filmmaker Jeethu Joseph, Dridam carries the unmistakable flavour of an action thriller layered with mystery and suspense. Debut director Martin Joseph attempts to craft a slow-burning investigative drama that gradually builds toward a rewarding climax. While the film succeeds in delivering an effective final twist, its journey is hindered by inconsistent writing and an underdeveloped narrative structure.
Written by Linto Devasia and Jomon John, the screenplay cleverly plants the seeds for a surprise ending and ultimately pulls it off convincingly. However, the film struggles in its early portions, where several scenes feel stretched and emotionally hollow. The sluggish setup weakens the momentum, preventing the mystery from fully gripping the audience in the initial stages.
At the heart of Dridam is Shane Nigam, whose understated portrayal of rookie Sub Inspector Vijay Radhakrishnan becomes the film's biggest strength. Posted to the remote village of Kuzhinilam in Idukki, Vijay finds himself navigating unfamiliar terrain while trying to earn the trust of his colleagues, especially senior constable Krishnan, played effectively by Shobi Thilakan. When a series of crimes, including robbery and murder, shake the quiet village, Vijay is forced into a tense investigation that tests both his instincts and credibility as a police officer.
Shane Nigam delivers a controlled and natural performance, perfectly capturing the vulnerability and hesitation of an inexperienced officer. His "less is more" approach blends seamlessly with the film's subdued tone and helps sustain audience interest even when the screenplay loses focus. Shobi Thilakan lends strong support, while actors like Sania Fathima, Vinod Bose, Dinesh Prabhakar, and Nandan Unni contribute effectively to the unfolding conflict.
The film does deserve credit for attempting to move beyond conventional thriller tropes. Once the narrative settles into its mystery, it introduces unexpected developments that add intrigue to the proceedings. Yet the execution often feels rigid, with several emotionally important scenes lacking the intensity needed to leave a lasting impact. Vijay's personal dilemmas initially evoke sympathy, but the emotional weight fades because the storytelling rarely deepens the conflict convincingly.
Although the climax significantly improves the overall experience, the preceding portions do not always provide the necessary build-up to maximize its impact. The film particularly falters during the establishing scenes, where forced dialogues and artificial character interactions expose weaknesses in the screenplay. The reasoning behind Vijay's unusually soft approach toward his colleagues eventually becomes clear, but the lengthy effort to establish those relationships feels repetitive and inorganic.
Ultimately, Dridam is a film with a promising core idea and a strong central performance, but its middling execution prevents it from reaching its full potential. Despite its flaws, the suspenseful climax and Shane Nigam's sincere portrayal make this slow-burning thriller worth a watch for fans of grounded investigative dramas.
