Directed by Jithu Ashraf, Officer On Duty is built on writer Shahi Kabir’s signature investigative thriller framework. If you’ve seen Joseph or Ela Veezha Poonchira, you know what to expect—meticulously crafted police procedural scenes, morally grey officers, and layered storytelling. That was my only reason for watching Officer On Duty, hoping for another gripping police procedural. But this time, there’s a shift.
No Nonsense, Straight to the Case
As expected, there’s no unnecessary drama. Within five minutes, the film is on track. It kicks off with a chilling prologue before shifting to the introduction of CI Harishankar (Kunchacko Boban). I have to appreciate Kunchacko for approving an intro scene where his character harasses a pregnant woman—not something most stars would dare to do. Mollywood continues to stand apart in its willingness to portray morally grey characters, even with leading actors.
The story follows DYSP Harishankar, who is demoted to CI after physically assaulting his senior officer. He’s battling psychological trauma, and on his first day as CI, he gets assigned a counterfeit gold case. But this small case unexpectedly leads him to something much bigger—something connected to his own past. The way Shahi Kabir sets up these connections using the plant and payoff technique is brilliant.
First Half – Packed with Suspense & Character Depth
A major strength of the first half is how it establishes Harishankar’s character. We get to see his shades—his flaws, his aggression, and his vulnerabilities. Sure, there are a few unnecessary moments like Muthumani’s ‘chocolate hero’ commentary or Priyamani’s repetitive domestic scenes, but overall, the first half keeps us engaged, slowly building curiosity for what’s next. Foreshadowing in the writing plays a big role in keeping us hooked.
Second Half – Too Much Drama, Too Many Compromises
Shahi Kabir has a pattern. His second halves usually shift into family drama or emotional conflicts (Joseph, Ela Veezha Poonchira). So, I was expecting that. But in Officer On Duty, the shift felt too drastic. There’s a lot of cinematic drama, and while that might help at the box office, it also dilutes the soul of the film.
The biggest issue? Character inconsistency. Harishankar in the first half and Harishankar in the second half feel like two different people. It’s as if the film forgets its grounded realism and switches into a supercop action thriller. Thankfully, Kunchacko Boban’s performance smooths over some of the rough edges. He carries the weight of the transformation with conviction, but it’s still hard to ignore how much the tone changes.
Repetitive Writing – Fridging and the Same Old Cop Tropes
I have to ask—why are writers so obsessed with ‘fridging’ female characters in investigative thrillers? The idea that a woman must suffer to motivate the hero is overused and outdated. And why is every troubled police officer a failed family man dealing with a divorce? We’ve seen this formula so many times—an emotionally broken cop, a family crisis, and in the end, a personal stake in the case. It’s predictable if you watch thrillers often.
What Worked – Technical Brilliance & Performances
If Kunchacko Boban is the emotional anchor of the film, Jakes Bejoy is the soul. His background score elevates the tension and keeps the narrative gripping. In fact, it was Bejoy and Kunchacko who made this film worth watching for me, not the screenplay.
Kunchacko, as Harishankar, is completely convincing. His haunted eyes, his rough exterior, and the visible trauma in his body language make the character believable. He put in the effort, and it shows.
Technically, the film shines. Roby Varghese Raj’s cinematography and Chaman Chacko’s editing set the perfect dark, intense tone. The action sequences are well-executed, especially considering the film’s production scale. The mortuary fight and climax sequences were particularly well-shot, making the brutality feel raw but not excessive.
Final Opinion – From ‘What’s Next?’ to ‘Here We Go Again’
Officer On Duty starts off as an exciting investigative thriller, making us wonder, “What’s next?” But by the end, it turns into a supercop action film, filled with predictable twists, overused tropes, and cinematic hero moments for the whistles and cheers.
Does it deserve to be a super-hit? Yes.
Does it work as a solid thriller? Not for me.
I had high expectations from Shahi Kabir, but this time, it felt like he chose commercial appeal over storytelling depth.
Watch it for Kunchacko Boban and Jakes Bejoy. Just lower your expectations if you’re looking for a realistic thriller.