Ronth

I did not want to watch another police movie in malayalam, thank you very much. But then what were the odds of seeing a Dileesh-Roshan-Shahi combination in the near future? So I went. And boy, I'm glad I did. From the very first frame when Dileesh walks into the station and tells his Superior that he is not guilty of murder, the audience is hooked. Ronthu points the torch at two policemen (one a naive young man and the other an experiened seemingly-cynical guy) on a simple night patrol. They deal with suicide, madness, domestic abuse, kidnapping, missing cases and are caught up in an intricate trap. Right to the very end the movie keeps you glued to the seat with accelerating heart beats. The acting is simply superb and Shahi Kabir has worked his real life magic once again. Thanks guys. So proud of you.

Ronth (2025) is one of the best Malayalam films I've seen in the last 25 years. The story is gripping, the mood intense, and it lingers long after. Dileesh Pothan is simply outstanding-effortless, raw, and deeply emotional. Honestly, he's the best actor right now when it comes to pulling off layered emotions. Not exaggerating-he's delivering performances that go beyond even legends like Mohanlal and Mammootty today. His screen presence and emotional depth are unmatched. The writing by Shahi Kabir is sharp, grounded, and adds real weight to the narrative. A rare gem that proves how powerful Malayalam cinema can be.

To me, Ronth felt like the cinematic equivalent of the iPhone's Portrait Mode-the way it creates a sharp focus on the subject while softly blurring the background. Shahi Kabir achieves the same "depth-of-field" effect in storytelling, bringing Dileesh Pothan, Roshan Mathew, and Lekshmi Menon into sharp emotional focus. Their performances truly penetrate the screen and demand attention.

This film stands out for its realistic and grounded portrayal of the Kerala Police. It's one of the rare films that offers a clean, authentic look into the life and routine of a policeman-without overdramatization or distortion.

Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew deliver solid, believable performances. They own their roles with the natural talent we've come to expect from them. But the real surprise was Lekshmi Menon. Her performance was extraordinary-deep, authentic, and emotionally layered. It makes one wonder why the Malayalam film industry hasn't tapped into her full potential before. This could very well be her breakthrough, and I genuinely hope to see her in more roles that allow her to shine.

However, I was personally let down by the tragic climax. It left some plot points unresolved, and I found myself wishing Shahi Kabir had opted for an open-ended finish-one that gave the audience space for interpretation. Instead, it leans toward a somber closure that felt a little too final for a story that had so many emotional layers.

Still, Ronth is a commendable effort and a fresh take in Malayalam cinema.

From the very beginning, Ronth feels incredibly real. The story pulls you into the daily life of a police officer, without any unnecessary drama or cinematic exaggeration. It starts off grounded, and it stays that way throughout.

One of the first things that catches your eye is the use of aerial shots. The beauty of nature is captured wonderfully, the forests, hills, and misty roads create a strong visual mood.

At the same time, there's a silent tension that occasionally rises between the officers. Their egos do clash at moments, especially during stressful situations, but the film also shows the strong bond and mutual respect they share. It's not just about personal pride or power struggle, it's also about how these officers depend on each other, care for one another, and still manage to work as a team despite their differences. This mix of conflict and friendship adds more depth to their relationships and to the story overall.

The struggles of being a police officer are shown in a very realistic way. Whether it's the pressure from seniors, long working hours, or how their personal life is affected, you get to see everything. The pace is a bit slow at times, but that actually helps in making it feel more true to life.

Dileesh Pothan delivers one of the best performances of his acting career. You see many shades of his character, calm in one scene, broken in another, and strong the next. His ability to handle each situation differently is truly impressive. Roshan Mathew and Dileesh Pothan are neck and neck in their performances. Both of them have done an extraordinary job, and it's hard to say who did better.

The film also gives us a peek into the internal politics of the police department, how higher-ranking officers are protected, and how some officers are forced to bend to please their superiors. These scenes feel believable and well-written.

Director Shahi Kabir once again proves that he knows how to tell a realistic police story without making it boring. He keeps things grounded and engaging.

As for the climax - it's simple. No loud music, no over-the-top drama. Just a clean, quiet end that fits the tone of the movie perfectly.

Overall, Ronth is definitely worth watching. It's not a grand theatrical experience filled with action or thrills. But it's still a movie that deserves to be seen in theatres, for its honesty, its performances, and its beautiful storytelling.

The name Shahi Kabir is enough to pull you into this interestingly minimal night patrol cop drama. The leads (Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew) are well-written, and both their performances are superbly effective. We, as audiences, get to witness possibly one of the most compelling, challenging nights they go through as Officers on Patrol Duty (pun intended). The North Kerala landscape also adds so much to the proceedings, successfully sending chills down our spine when needed. The cases they deal with are also emotionally hard-hitting and carry life-altering consequences, making each incident either add more baggage or connect to a larger thread of events.

The setup is minimal when you think of it, but the writing and direction are splendid. The dialogues swing between humourously relatable and deeply moving; it's safe to say that both sides of the coin are effective. And when you know it's part of the Shahi Kabir Copverse™ (loved the Nayattu connection), you'd be anticipating that feeling of heaviness in the chest as the film concludes. I'm amazed how the writer-director can tell these realistically grounded stories as a cop himself.

Manesh Madhavan's scintillating cinematography (almost 3/4ths of the film unfolds at night), Anil Johnson's affecting music, and Praveen Mangalath's editing all help the film to a great extent. Certain parts of it could've easily been tagged as "psychological horror," and I would agree. I was instantly reminded of Training Day when I watched the trailer, but Ronth is a greater emotional beast, and it carries a core that's easy to connect to.