Kariyila Kattu Pole (1986): When a renowned filmmaker, Harikrishnan (Mammootty), is found dead in his house, the investigation leads to his tumultuous and unpleasant past. Not surprisingly the man behind the genius had several skeletons in his closet and a cop (Mohanlal) uncovers them through the people associated with him. Director Padmarajan weaves an intriguing slow burner, beset with twists and turns, and fascinating character sketches. In a bid to dig deeper into the complexity of Harikrishnan and perhaps to unveil his softer side, the writer does at times overlook the trauma of other characters. Having said that, it’s a brilliantly staged thriller that also goes deeper into the complexity of human bonds, often blurring the distinction between right and wrong. Some of the characters continue to haunt you long after the movie culminates. Watch it here.
August 1 (1988): Loosely based on the Frederick Forsyth novel The Day of the Jackal, this film written by SN Swamy and directed by Sibi Malayil has a group of MLAs hiring an assassin to kill the newly elected CM (Sukumaran) for sidelining them. Though the cops manage to get wind of their plans, the hitman remains elusive, hell-bent on finishing his job. It is left to crime branch officer Perumal (Mammootty) to hunt down the hired gun. It is a veritable cat-and-mouse game where you almost feel a grudging admiration for the killer’s determination. A deftly paced thriller that leaves enough space for the cop and the killer to take their chase to a thrilling finish. Stream now.
Drishyam (2013): Till the interval, Jeetu Joseph keeps the pacing unhurried. You have a typical family drama with a father, mother and two daughters huddled inside a cosy home fenced by luscious greenery. It’s a patriarchal household where the father runs a cable TV business, the mother is a homemaker and the daughters have a strict upbringing. It is when the mother and daughter get embroiled in a murder that the narrative sheds its languid tempo and rises to a crescendo, with the father putting himself out there to safeguard his family. The writing is watertight, keeping the suspense intact in a narrative filled with solid characters. Even in the second viewing, despite knowing the conclusion, the film remains a riveting experience. Watch the film.
Memories (2013): An alcoholic cop with a painful past is assigned to nab a serial killer. Once again Jeethu Joseph gets down to the business of building an emotionally wrought backstory for his lead character, before cutting to the chase. When a reluctant Sam Alex (Prithviraj) begins his investigation, he also starts to get a grip on his life, slowly easing himself from his dependence on alcohol. The investigation part is meticulously staged and sustains the suspense admirably well. A whole lineup of characters are stitched together flawlessly into the plot, with each linking to the other, and you have an antagonist who evokes fear and pity in equal measure. Now streaming.
Manichithrathazhu (1993): One of the greatest classics of Malayalam, this psychological thriller directed by Fazil unfolds in the backdrop of a decadent bungalow that, decades ago, was the site of a tragic love story between Nagavally and Ramanathan, dancers who are murdered by the former’s jealous patron, a Thanjavur landlord. Her spirit is trapped inside the bungalow, within a large room with an ornate door. It’s this spirit that seeps into docile Ganga (Shobana) who shifts there with her husband. What follows is a fascinating, engrossing, and chilling psychological thriller as the formidable spirit saunters through the manse, wreaking havoc in the lives of the family residing there. When an entertaining psychiatrist (Mohanlal) enters the picture, the narrative accelerates its pace and introduces a whole lot of humour. It is the power of the suggestion that knocks you down — you can hear but can’t see. A spine-chilling climax and a career-best performance from Shobana make this one hell of a ride. Watch it here.
Thazhvaram (1990): Bharathan places this Western thriller in a barren valley where a mysterious stranger (Mohanlal) finds shelter in a hut. A young woman and her ageing father live there. It is soon revealed that the man’s arrival was no coincidence, it is a carefully thought-out plan for vengeance. He is out to kill his enemy, who is lurking in that house. In this slow burner, vengeance takes the shape of a cold-blooded determination to kill. Here the hunter also needs to survive this game. The narrative, while devoid of surprises, is laced with tension, filled with snippets of their past and the simmering hatred between the two men reaching a feverish pitch. An unsettling and riveting tale of survival. Available to stream.
Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988): When the daughter-in-law of an influential Christian family is found dead in front of the house, it leads to absolute chaos in the small town. When the cops are already brought by the rich family, an unassuming, pleasant CBI officer is put in charge. Written by SN Swamy and directed by K Madhu, what makes this film one of the most fascinating investigative thrillers in Malayalam cinema, has to be the unique characterisation of Sethurama Iyer (Mammootty). His serenity, graciousness and unflappability are immensely reassuring to watch as he clinically unravels the case. It’s cleverly paced, with well-written characters and an edge-of-the-seat thrilling climactic stretch. On streaming.
Ee Thanutha Veluppankalathu (1990): When an elderly man is found murdered, with coconut husks stuffed inside his mouth — a serial killer’s signature — it leads to an investigation. When more murders are committed, a bit of digging by Police Superintendent Haridas (Mammootty) reveals a tale of friendship gone sour. Intriguingly paced, with unexpected twists and turns, what keep us invested are the well-written characters, the meticulous probing and the nail-biting anticipation. Written by Padmarajan and directed by Joshiy, the film continues to have great recall value. Stream the film.
Mumbai Police (2013): What happens when a cop who is assigned to report on the investigation into his friend’s killer ends up losing his memory in an accident? How will he come to terms with the reality of his memory loss when he is reassigned to the same case? There is also a fascinating tale of friendship at the core. In this film written by Bobby-Sanjay and directed by Roshan Andrews, what sets the tempo has to be the temperamental ACP Antony Moses (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and his turbulent past, and how he tries to negotiate with his present. Again solidly written characters, simmering conflict, and suspense that will blow your mind make Mumbai Police a compelling watch. Having said that, there are some problematic subtexts in the narrative that remain unanswered. Available here.
