Detective Ujjwalan (2025)
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Detective Ujjwalan (2025)
Detective Ujjwalan is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language mystery comedy film that blends elements of crime thriller, dark humour, and suspense.
It follows Ujjwalan, an amateur small-town detective and librarian, as he investigates a series of eerie murders in the village of Plaachikkaavu, outsmarting a masked killer known as the Boogeyman in a battle of wits and survival. The story unravels secrets, mind games, and twists, testing the protagonist’s investigative skills and resilience.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Directors | Indraneel Gopeekrishnan and Rahul G |
| Lead Cast | Dhyan Sreenivasan (as Ujjwalan), Siju Wilson, Rony David Raj |
| Producer | Sophia Paul (Weekend Blockbusters) |
| Music | Rzee (songs and original score) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 4 minutes |
| Release Date | May 23, 2025 (theatrical) |
| Genre | Mystery, Comedy, Crime Thriller |
| Rating | TV-14; IMDb: 6.2/10 (based on ~1K ratings) |
Principal photography took place from November 17 to December 2024 in locations like Kollengode, Nenmara, Shoranur, and Pattambi in Palakkad district, Kerala.
Plot Teaser (Spoiler-Free)
In Plaachikkaavu village, local loafer-turned-detective Ujjwalan teams up with inept police to hunt a serial killer targeting villagers. As clues pile up, the investigation dives into deception and hidden motives, with humour from quirky side characters keeping the tone light amid the tension. The mid-credit scene hints at more mysteries, including twin brothers arrested for related murders and Ujjwalan opening a new detective consultancy.
Reception
The film received mixed reviews. Critics praised its world-building, smooth storytelling, humour, twists, and standout performances (especially Dhyan Sreenivasan), calling it engaging and watchable despite flaws. However, some noted issues like rushed pacing, abrupt editing, uninspired score, unconvincing climax, and lack of emotional depth or rhythm. On X (formerly Twitter), viewers echoed this: one called it a “decent thriller” worth watching for suspense and camera work in the climax, while others rated it 6/10 and highlighted its fun character dynamics reminiscent of films like Kunjiramayanam. A post-credit horror scene has been shared as a chilling highlight.
It didn’t make a major box office impact but found an audience on OTT.
Where to Watch
- Malayalam Original: Streaming on Netflix since July 11, 2025.
- Dubbed Versions (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi): Exclusive on Lionsgate Play since September 12, 2025.
Trailer
Check out the official trailer on YouTube for a glimpse of the village intrigue and Dhyan Sreenivasan’s quirky detective vibe.
If you’re into light-hearted Malayalam mysteries like Anjaam Pathiraa or Forensic, this could be a fun weekend watch—though temper expectations for the finale.