Officer On Duty – Movie Review
In a cinematic landscape where thrillers often hinge on the violence inflicted upon women or the shame of their leaked nudity, Officer On Duty seems to follow a well-worn path that is becoming all too familiar. Debut director Jithu Ashraf’s film, starring Kunchacko Boban and Priyamani, leans heavily into this trope, often with little subtlety. The narrative falls into the trap of portraying female suffering solely as a catalyst for the male protagonist’s journey, reducing complex issues to mere plot devices.
For those unfamiliar, the “women in refrigerators” trope refers to a trend in fiction where female characters are subjected to violence — be it rape, murder, or sexual assault — purely to propel the male lead’s arc, often driving him toward revenge or personal growth. In Officer On Duty, it’s not just one, but multiple women who are brutalized for the sake of deepening the male protagonist’s story. These women’s sole purpose is to suffer, fueling the investigation that unfolds, which is led by CI Harishankar (played by Kunchacko Boban), a character struggling with his own trauma.
The plot kicks off when Harishankar, demoted from DySP to CI after assaulting an IPS officer, is transferred to a Kochi City police station. There, he stumbles upon a case involving a middle-aged man accused of trying to mortgage a fake gold chain. This seemingly mundane case soon spirals into something much darker when Harishankar discovers that the chain, which belonged to the man’s daughter, was stolen by assailants. Harishankar’s investigation forces the victim to file a complaint, but the pressure drives her to suicide — a traumatic event that mirrors the loss of Harishankar’s own daughter, Nila (Meenakshi Anoop), who too ended her life under tragic circumstances.
As the investigation unravels, Harishankar’s guilt and trauma begin to surface, causing him to lash out violently, especially at his wife (Priyamani). This breakdown in his family dynamic sets the stage for his journey to uncover the deeper criminal network behind the assaults. However, despite the intense emotional backdrop, the film fails to present these moments with the depth they deserve.
While Officer On Duty starts off with intrigue — particularly through its unsettling tone set by Ashraf and composer Jakes Bejoy — it quickly reveals a problematic character in Harishankar. His extreme aggression and volatile nature alienate the audience, making it hard to trust his judgment as the investigation progresses. Though the script attempts to rationalize his behavior, the justification feels unconvincing, and this limits any empathy toward his character.
One of the most troubling aspects of the film is its treatment of Harishankar’s daughter, Nila. Her tragic fate isn’t linked to a partner’s betrayal, such as a revenge porn incident, but rather to her father’s violent reaction to discovering an intimate video of her. His physical outburst and threat of violence drive her to suicide. The film attempts to shift the blame off Harishankar’s actions, but it’s nearly impossible to absolve him, as his behavior consistently showcases his failures both as a father and an officer.
Kunchacko Boban’s portrayal of Harishankar is compelling, though not without flaws. His performance, especially in the emotionally charged moments, is often held back by his stilted dialogue delivery. The lack of flexibility in his voice detracts from the gravity of the scenes, causing some lines to sound overly rehearsed and lacking natural emotion.
The film also struggles with pacing and emotional depth. While there are fleeting moments of brilliance, like Harishankar’s PTSD-induced panic attack, these instances don’t fully compensate for the film’s lack of emotional resonance. The writing, by Shahi Kabir, fails to delve into the characters’ internal conflicts as deeply as his past works, leaving key moments feeling underdeveloped. The side characters, especially the women in the story, serve little purpose beyond their victimhood, which reduces them to mere plot devices.
The antagonists, too, are one-dimensional, relying heavily on the stereotypical portrayal of Bengaluru-based drug traffickers and sexual offenders. Their motivations are thinly sketched, and the performances, particularly by Vishak Nair as the gang leader, feel exaggerated to the point of caricature. This lack of nuance weakens the story’s central conflict and makes the unfolding drama feel contrived.
Despite the film’s shortcomings, some elements stand out. The cinematography by Roby Varghese Raj successfully captures the tense atmosphere, though at times, it leans too heavily on artificial lighting. The editing, while effective in parts, struggles to maintain cohesion during the action scenes, especially when the cuts are too rapid, making the sequences feel disjointed.
Cast:
- Kunchacko Boban as CI Harishankar
- Priyamani as Harishankar’s wife
- Jagadish in a supporting role
- Vishak Nair as the gang leader
Director: Jithu Ashraf
Rating: 2 Stars
In conclusion, Officer On Duty grapples with significant narrative and emotional flaws that hinder its potential as a compelling thriller. Despite a strong performance from Kunchacko Boban and a few impactful moments, the film ultimately succumbs to familiar tropes and a shallow treatment of its central themes. It leaves viewers questioning not just the protagonist’s actions but also the repeated use of female suffering as a plot device in the thriller genre.