Officer On Duty, directed by Jithu Ashraf, is a crime thriller featuring Kunchacko Boban in the lead role. While the movie starts with promise, it quickly falls into a familiar pattern of using female trauma to drive the male protagonist’s journey. Priyamani plays a minor role, and the film struggles to break away from clichés. Despite a gripping atmosphere and strong performances, the movie ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact.
A Story That Feels Repetitive
The film revolves around CI Harishankar (Kunchacko Boban), a tough police officer demoted after assaulting an IPS officer. He is transferred to Kochi City police station, where he investigates a case involving a middle-aged man (Jagadish) unknowingly trying to mortgage a fake gold chain. This case leads Harishankar to a dark revelation: the chain belonged to the man’s daughter, who was assaulted.
As he pressures the young girl to file a complaint, she tragically takes her own life. This incident triggers painful memories of Harishankar’s daughter, who also died under similar circumstances. Haunted by guilt, he digs deeper and discovers a sinister criminal network behind the crime. The film follows his pursuit of justice, but the execution feels predictable.
A Problematic Narrative Choice
The movie heavily leans on the “Women in Refrigerators” trope, where female characters are harmed to fuel a male character’s story. In this case, multiple women suffer tragic fates, serving only to push Harishankar’s character development. This approach has been criticized in many thrillers, yet Officer On Duty makes no effort to avoid it.
Harishankar himself is a deeply flawed character. His aggressive nature is introduced early when he kicks a female suspect in the stomach to check if she is pregnant. While the film tries to justify his actions later, it never fully convinces the audience of his moral struggle. His violent outbursts even drive his wife (Priyamani) and daughter to leave him, yet the movie expects viewers to sympathize with him.
Kunchacko Boban’s Performance Stands Out
Despite the film’s flaws, Kunchacko Boban delivers a compelling performance. He effectively portrays a troubled officer struggling with personal trauma. However, his dialogue delivery at times feels stiff and unnatural, making emotional scenes less impactful.
Priyamani, unfortunately, is wasted in a small role with little significance. The rest of the cast, including Vishak Nair as the gang leader, fails to make a strong impression. The antagonists are poorly developed, relying on stereotypes of criminals rather than creating a truly menacing presence.
Technical Aspects: A Mixed Bag
The film does well in terms of visuals and atmosphere. Cinematographer Roby Varghese Raj effectively sets a dark, moody tone. However, some scenes feel unnecessarily dim, making it hard to follow the action.
Editor Chaman Chakko does a decent job, but the action sequences suffer from excessive cuts, reducing their impact. Jakes Bejoy’s background score helps build tension, though it does little to elevate the weaker moments of the story.
Officer On Duty attempts to be a hard-hitting crime thriller but stumbles due to a predictable and problematic storyline. While Kunchacko Boban’s performance is a highlight, the film’s reliance on outdated tropes and weak character development hold it back. It has a gripping premise but fails to explore its emotional depth.
If you enjoy police dramas and don’t mind clichés, you might find it engaging. However, those looking for a fresh, thought-provoking thriller will likely be disappointed.
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