Rudhiram (2024): "A Psychological Thriller That Stays Stagnant."

Director:
Jisho Lon Antony, Jomon K. Joseph, Chris Thomas Mavely

Starring:
Raj B. Shetty, Aparna Balamurali, Kumardas TN, Ramesh Varma

Producers:
V.S. Lalan

Production House:
Rising Sun Studios

Music Director:
4 Musics

Cinematographer:
Sajad Kakku

Editor:
Bavan Sreekumar

Genre:
Drama

Language:
Malayalam

Runtime:
2 hour 4 minutes

---

Plot

Swathi, once a free-spirited and progressive young woman, suddenly finds herself held captive by a masked man whose sadistic nature knows no bounds. Trapped in a psychological and physical nightmare, Swathi must uncover the reason for her torment and find a way to escape, all while battling a man with dual faces—one calm, the other psychotic.

---

Performances

• Raj B. Shetty:
  Raj B. Shetty delivers a solid performance, effortlessly portraying a character with dual shades—a respectable doctor to society and a sinister figure behind closed doors. His expressions and intensity provide some weight to an otherwise stagnant narrative.

• Aparna Balamurali:
  Aparna Balamurali excels in her role, capturing the helplessness and rage of a victim pushed to her limits. Her emotional outbursts and raw performance elevate key scenes, adding much-needed gravitas.

• Kumardas TN:
  Kumardas TN adds an interesting layer with his comic anger and strong expressions, offering moments of relief amidst the grim narrative.

---

Technical Aspects

• Direction:
  The directors start with an intriguing concept but fail to execute it effectively. The plot stagnates, and the story feels repetitive, lacking progression or any meaningful twists to maintain the psychological tension.

• Music:
  The music by 4 Musics is passable, maintaining the film’s somber tone but failing to elevate pivotal scenes. The background score lacks impact, leaving suspenseful moments feeling flat.

• Cinematography:
  Sajad Kakku’s cinematography is the standout aspect, with sharp camera angles that effectively capture the claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere.

• Editing:
  The editing by Bavan Sreekumar is clean and maintains the narrative flow, but it cannot compensate for the lack of engaging content or pacing issues.

---

Strengths

• Performances by Raj B. Shetty and Aparna Balamurali
• Cinematography

Weaknesses

• Slow pacing
• Weak screenplay
• Repetitive and stagnant storytelling

---

My Personal Take on Cinema

‘Rudhiram’ is a film that starts with promise but ultimately struggles to deliver. While the premise of a psychological thriller feels intriguing initially, the lack of story progression makes the film feel stretched and monotonous. The suspense and thrills that should drive a movie of this genre are largely absent, leaving it emotionally flat and predictable.That said, performances by Aparna Balamurali and Raj B. Shetty are commendable. Aparna’s raw portrayal of a victim adds much-needed depth, and Raj B. Shetty shines in his complex role. Kumardas TN also provides brief moments of comic relief in an otherwise heavy narrative.The technical aspects, particularly the cinematography, are notable, but weak direction and a sluggish screenplay overshadow these positives. Despite its potential, ‘Rudhiram’ feels like a missed opportunity, offering little for fans of the genre.

---

Rating: 2/5