kuruthi malayalam movie review

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Mike Don 46 196 days ago

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Chandra Shekhar Padala 1 1017 days ago

A gut wrenching movie where communal dynamics are treated in a daring manner.......definitely not for immature minds which can take polarised view depending on their religion.......but some hardtruths like which side which character will take in crux situation despite their views .......how the younger brother picks up the gun in the ending scene.......must watch atleast twice to get to the implications.......as there are so many complicated layers......within layers.........

kajoltully 1061 days ago

Beautiful dark masterpiece amazing movie 

sheeba kiron 1071 days ago

I think they did a great job! It shows how horrible our society now. I want to treat every people from any religion as human beings.

Jose Thankachan 1072 days ago

This won't serve the purpose of watching a Movie. Prithiraj did great as usual but the whole movie is scary and tensive. They are trying to send a massage against religious extremism but not sure this will help anyone or any massage is effectively delivered. . I think PrithiRaj should be more selective on movies.

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Kuruthi Review: This Prithviraj Starrer Is A Masterpiece That Talks Loud And Clear About Communal Divide

Star Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko, Srindaa, Manikandan R Achari, Mamukkoya, Navas Vallikunnu Director: Manu Warrier

Manu Warrier's socio-political drama Kuruthi released today (August 11) on Amazon Prime Video. Backed by Supriya Menon under the banner Prithviraj Productions, the film features an ensemble cast including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko, Srindaa, Mamukkoya and Manikandan R Achari. Though the film was initially planned to release in theatres on May 13, the makers had to postpone it due to the pandemic.

Did the Prithviraj-Roshan Mathew-starrer impress the audiences and critics who were eagerly waiting for the film? Let's find out!

What's Wow? Crisp Storyline, Perfect Casting, Intense Performances, Bold Subject With A Rational Message What's Ouch? Absolutely Nothing!

"Man always needs something to hate. To maintain that hatred, there will always be 'them' and us'", opines Moosa (played by Mamukkoya) when youngsters engage in a deadly brawl while defending themselves. Well, hate, vengeance and communal divide are the basic subjects of the film around which the main plot of Kuruthi revolves.

Plot (SPOILER AHEAD)

The film opens with a handcuffed man trying to escape from the grip of a person sitting on the bumper of a police jeep. Before we contemplate the whole sequence, the story introduces Ibrahim (Roshan Mathew), a rubber tapping labourer who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife and daughter who he loses during an unfortunate landslide. His Hindu neighbour Suma, who lives with her brother helps Ibrahim with domestic chores and even expresses her love for him at one point of time.

Well, things take a turn for the worse when an injured cop (Murali Gopy) barges into his house with a young murderer, seeking (demanding-to be precise) shelter for a night. The tense situation gets more complicated when a vengeful Laiq (Prithviraj Sukumaran) follows the duo into Ibrahim's house with the help of a common friend Kareem (Shine Tom Chacko).

It is later known that the young murderer, a Hindu has killed a Muslim shopkeeper, and to take revenge for the same Laiq and Kareem seek and even expect that Ibrahim would help them, considering that he too is from their community. On the other hand, the cop requests Ibrahim to take an oath on Quran that he would protect the murderer and handover him to to the police the next morning. Amid the chaos, what will Ibrahim choose? Well, you will have to watch Kuruthi on Amazon Prime Video to know what unfolds at the end.

Story and Direction

Choosing a bold subject like communal divide and penning a story around it with a lot of thrills and chills is not an easy task. Anish Pallyal's scripting is undoubtedly the soul of the film. The storyline is crisp, gripping and unpredictable at most places. The film has all the elements of a thriller, all thanks to the scriptwriter.

Given that we have already witnessed Prithviraj acing monologues like a pro in his previous ventures, the writer has made sure his dialogues don't turn monotonous and repetitive in Kuruthi . Manu Warrier, the director of the film has given equal space to each and every character involved in the film, which makes the thriller stand out from the rest. The leading man appears just before the intermission and we are happy that the stereotypical trend is changing and it indeed is proof that a film needs a good story for it to be successful and the hero can actually wait.

Performances

Mamukkoya: Meet the real hero of Kuruthi! The senior actor's taunts and sporadic comic dialogues are the highlights of the film. Despite being in a serious situation, where one person wants to kills the other, Mamukkoya's raw performance and rational dialogues about death, revenge and religion make our hearts full. Do no miss his swag towards the end.

Prithviraj: The versatile actor has nailed the grey-shaded character of Laiq with utter ease. Though in a few sequences we feel empathetic towards his character, the actor with his nuanced performance makes sure the audiences are not inclined to his side. The action sequences (choreographed by him) and of course his dialogue delivery deserves extra brownie points.

Roshan Mathew: From the start till the end, the actor's expressive eyes do all the talking. His performance as Ibrahim is so effortless, convincing and captivating at the same time, that we simply couldn't resist but ask for more.

Each and every actor in the film including Srindaa, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko, Manikandan R Achari and Navas Vallikunnu deserve special mention.

Technical Aspects

Cinematographer Abinandhan Ramanujam has done impeccable work with the lens. He undoubtedly deserves applause for the visual treatment that blends perfectly with the storyline. A darker colour palette has been used in most sequences which have only added depth to the breathtaking visuals. Akhilesh Mohan's editing has helped the film steer clear of unwanted lags and stretches. Jakes Bejoy's songs and background scores have added the right impact.

This Prithviraj-Roshan Mathew-starrer is a bold film that encapsulates a powerful message. The entire cast and crew behind the masterpiece deserve a standing ovation for their exemplary work. From the script to the solid performances of the actors, anything and everything about Kuruthi seems picture perfect.

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'Kuruthi' movie review: Pertinent thriller in the garb of a Western

When Sathyan (Murali Gopy as a police officer once again after Drishyam 2) shows up with a convict at the front door of a patriarch named Moosa (Mamukkoya), Kuruthi assumes the nature of a Western. Sathyan is a cross between Kurt Russell’s character in The Hateful Eight and John Wayne’s in Rio Bravo. In structure, Kuruthi resembles the former film. Moosa’s house would have been the Sheriff’s office in a 50’s Western. At one point in Kuruthi, the ‘Sheriff’—in this case, Sathyan—trusts one character to be his ‘deputy’. And in the film’s climax, a reverse ‘deputation’ happens with two different characters. But let’s not get into spoilers now, shall we?

The Western quality of the film becomes more pronounced when Prithviraj’s Laiq enters through the same door later, recalling Lee Van Cleef in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly or Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds. In terms of stubbornness, though, he resembles Ethan from The Searchers. But, unlike Ethan, Laiq gives the impression of someone incapable of redemption. This is not to say the performance is of the same calibre. But, more on that later. 

Kuruthi is a home invasion thriller in the same vein as Kala and Varathan. But it also uses elements of the Western genre and chamber drama to present familiar thoughts in a manner accessible to all age groups. Some might call it unsophisticated for this very reason. As was evident in the promos, Kuruthi explores the chaos unleashed by people with opposing ideologies and the pointlessness of violence provoked by religious fervour and fanaticism. It doesn’t take sides. The funniest moment in the film arrives when one character cites ancient history and another character mistakenly brings up a Bollywood superstar’s name, with hilarious results.  To put it simply, Kuruthi is one of those ‘need of the hour’ films that reflect our times. The action confined to a single location serves to continually remind us that despite being in the middle of a terrifying disaster, some folks still prefer to spew hatred instead of focusing on their survival. 

It is why the film has Mamukkoya—to constantly hammer home the absurdity of it all. In Moosa, we once again get to see a character that does justice to an actor of Mamukkoya’s stature. Despite the presence of Prithviraj, Roshan Mathew and others, it’s his presence that puts the film back on the rails in the brief instances where it goes off them. Though he is a relic of the past with archaic views on certain things, Moosa is the wisest character in the film. 

I have to admit, though, that Kuruthi delivers more in terms of staging than performances. Close-ups, split diopters, and dutch angles are used inventively in several places to heighten tension. Barring its sluggish opening minutes, the film successfully sustains the nervous energy established when Sathyan appears with his prisoner and turns into a litmus test for all the characters around him. This tension is sustained till the finale.

Speaking of performances, Prithviraj does something with his eyes that reminded me of his brother Indrajith’s Kathakali artiste-turned-avenger character in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Nayakan. This ‘eye-popping’ effect is a bit comical, but the actor seems to have enjoyed playing a deranged man. At one point, he recalls an encounter with a “Neo Nazi” and a “Macedonian Lady with cat-eyes”, and I wondered whether I was watching an Anoop Menon film. And once we get to the scene where Prithviraj wields an axe like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, I half expected him to yell, “Here’s Laiqqqq!!!” But surprisingly, this hamminess didn’t bother me much. I, too, had fun watching him go crazy. 

But even if one wants to overlook some of its minor shortcomings, certain aspects stick out like a sore thumb. The character, Suma, essayed by Srindaa, for instance. It seemed as though she was playing two different people at the same time. The fault lies not so much in her performance but the development of her character arc. Suma is as confusing to me as Game of Thrones’ Danaerys Targaryen. After everything she said in the film’s earlier portions, her decisions in the third act didn’t make any sense.

While the performances are occasionally stagey and accompanied by unrefined dialogue delivery, actors such as Roshan Mathew, Shine Tom Chacko, and Mamukkoya efficiently keep their characters’ true nature concealed till the end. While his crisis of faith makes Roshan’s character seem vulnerable, Shine manages to come across as a man who might harbour a motive different from his allies. 

I don’t know if this approach was intentional or not, but Kuruthi seems like a film that doesn’t take itself seriously even though it addresses a serious issue. I don’t mean this in a negative. It may seem an odd combination to some, but if a film such as Dr Strangelove addressed sensitive issues through darkly comical and over-the-top performances, can one find fault with Kuruthi for the same approach too—if that was, indeed, the intention? Yes, the film would’ve looked and sounded better with more nuanced writing, but would it have gotten the necessary reach otherwise? I doubt. 

Kuruthi is a film that seems complicated on the surface, but it’s really not. It calls out the hatemongers on both sides. And the fact that a big superstar agreed to take on an unconventional role like Laiq and produce the film is commendable indeed. Hopefully, the ‘performance’ of Prithviraj’s eyes doesn’t inspire long think pieces.

Mamukkoya steals the show in this tension-packed single location tale.

Film: Kuruthi Director: Manu Warrier Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Mamukkoya, Manikandan, Srindaa, Shine Tom Chacko

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

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Kuruthi movie review: Prithviraj, Roshan and Srinda in a poignant drama on generosity and duty

Kuruthi , an Amazon Prime original presented by Supriya Menon, goes by the tagline, 'A vow to kill… an oath to protect'.

The film, right from the opening sequences that reveal what is to come, justifies its title and tagline.

The movie, directed by Manu Warrier, opens with a goat that is going to be slaughtered as part of a holy ritual. While Ibru aka Ibrahim's (Roshan Mathew) little girl doesn't want Manikutty, the goat to be killed, Ibru justifies it stating that God will punish if we don't keep the promise made to him.

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Ibru, as revealed from his opening statement, is a religious man and keeps each of his promises he takes in the name of God. His only concern is about the afterlife. He is also doubtful of the decisions he makes in his life.

Writer Anish Pallyal, in fact, beautifully puts it as "Doubts are part of faith, that's the sign of a true believer." He also brings forth yet another aspect with regard to the same in the climax sequences where it is said, "It is the doubt regarding whether to choose a right over a wrong that turns men into slaves."

For instance, in Ibru's case, Sumathi aka Suma (Srinda), his Hindu neighbour, is willing to get married to him and expresses her love for him. But he, on the other hand, is hesitant and is doubtful if his action to accept her will displease his God.

Having said that, the plot of the film lies beneath this thread. Anish Pallyal delivers with an intense script packed with potent dialogues.

From thought-provoking statements to political undertones, Kuruthi has many layers to it. While the initial half outlines the emotional setting and characterizations, the film wraps a relevant take on the current socio-political scenario and with regard to people belonging to different religions.

The hero of the movie is undoubtedly its script, which elevates the engaging thriller to a conflict over choosing between the right and the wrong.

Each element and each character are placed so well that the connection comes in full circle by the end. Like the beehive which Ibru takes a look at initially proves to be a significant motif in the climax though we may have ignored it initially as being irrelevant.

There comes a point where Ibru needs to make a choice and Laiq (Prithviraj) points out that he should choose what is right. Divulging more about Laiq and his connection with Ibru would be a spoiler. But to mention, faith runs deep in Laiq, whereas Ibru's ideology is more about humanity.

Similar is Moosa (Mamukoya), who at each turn in the narrative spills his ideology. In a scene, he talks about generosity and duty with regard to Suma's approach.

In fact, Suma's characterization deserves a special mention right from the point where she offers a plate of rice for Laiq to the time when she expresses her doubt whether she can love Ibru the same way as she used to before.

Resul (Naslen) and Vishnu (Sagar Surya) are yet another representation of the insider-vs-outsider battle.

Travelling in a non-linear fashion, the film looks at how hatred in mankind is passed on over generations.

Packed with action, conflicts and brilliant performances the film makes for an engaging thriller. Each character is capable of grabbing and holding on to our attention.  Kuruthi is a bold take and discusses blind faith and hate that man is born with. However, at certain places the balance to justify both side seems a bit forced.

Abhinand Ramanujan's cinematography, especially the night shots and those within the house sequences, is robust enough.

As a debut director in Malayalam, Manu Warrier can be proud of helming a film with big notions. Unlike the festival-season films, Kuruthi , with a sensitive subject, is meant for a serious watch. Like how Onam reflects the quest of human beings for happiness, equality and harmony, Kuruthi too focuses on such an aspect where a good mankind is what one can hope for.

(The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video)

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Kuruthi review: An engaging drama with a tepid ending 

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Malayalam (Prime Video)

Director: Manu Warrier

Cast: Roshan Mathew, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Srindaa, Murali Gopy

Rating: 3/5

'Kuruthi' (the holy sacrifice) dwells in depth on religious fanaticism, a burning issue of discussion in today's world. If this is a touchy subject for you, stay clear of the film. Wear the thickest skin possible before witnessing the dark side of a human being.

Ibrahim (Roshan Mathew) has lost his wife and daughter. He has a neighbour Sumathi (Srindaa) who loves him and provides food to his family. His brainwashed brother Rasool doesn't like or trust Sumathi.

In the village, a radicalised Hindu youth kills an old Muslim shopkeeper. The night of terror begins with a cop (Murali Gopy) bringing the killer along with him to stay at Ibrahim's house for the night.

The events that unfold lead to the killing of the no-nonsense, honest cop. This is the only slaughter shown in the movie, and is poetic—the death of the reason.

With this, the journey of bringing out the worst side of most characters trapped in the house begins through the interactions between good Muslims, bad Muslims and Hindus who are shown to have become bad by circumstances.

The soul of the movie

The conversations between Vishnu, Moosa and Rasool and the way they are staged, form the soul of the movie. They touch upon the rising polarisation seen in society.

Fears of both majority and minority communities, beliefs based on half-truths circulating on social media and what they do to people, are brought out in the conversations. The indoctrination leads to hatred, which feeds into itself and grows beyond limits, bringing out the deepest fears and darkest sides of people.

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the monstrous indoctrinated villain Laiq, who lost his father and is baying for blood. He is an absolute contrast to the cool, composed Roshan Mathew.

The usage of light in the movie, which is shot almost in the dark, and the music, are impressive.

Shortcomings

While Kuruthi is unsettling, it is also imbalanced. Sumathi, who loves Ibru but wants to keep her religion, finally saves a murderer and justifies his act. Verses from the Quran and Hadis are used extensively to justify various viewpoints.

Both Laiq and Ibru are believers. One swears on the Quran to protect the life of a murderer and the other swears to take it.

Ibru is shown as a weak character, who lets go of the murderer, we don’t know for what reason. Because surely, things cannot remain the same in his own life and he ends up breaking a vow to protect and hand the murderer over to the police.

Laiq wins indirectly, as he manages to incite Ibru’s brother to take revenge on his behalf. In the overall scheme of things, religious fanaticism in this movie is skewed towards one section, probably due to poor research or lack of data.

While handling a sensitive subject, it is important to address the way forward and show the moral high ground in the battle of good versus evil. Because, such a movie impacts society in myriad ways and is discussed everywhere.

Instead, 'Kuruthi' ends on a pessimistic note, thereby negating the effect of its earlier conversations, literally on a makeshift hanging bridge, leaving the audience guessing.

While a cosmetic climax that sings all-is-well is not really the expectation from such a film, there is not even poetic justice anywhere. It makes one question the intention of the makers.

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Kuruthi, With Prithviraj On Amazon Prime Video, Is A Solid Home-Invasion Thriller That Transcends The Genre

Director: Manu Warrier Writer: Anish Pallyal Cast: Prithviraj , Murali Gopy , Roshan Mathew , Shine Tom Chacko, Mamukkoya, Srindaa Language: Malayalam

The opening of Manu Warrier's Kuruthi is deliberately disorienting. We see a bunch of quick-cut events. There's a bit  about cops. There's a bit about a tragedy. We are not able to string together a coherent story yet. But slowly the characters and their surroundings begin to make sense. (It's a big, big star cast: Prithviraj, Roshan Mathew, Manikandan Achari, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko and a very impressive Srindaa, who plays the sole female character.)

Ibrahim (Roshan Mathew) and Sumathi (Srindaa) are almost in an Eden-like place. Everyone else in that neighbourhood has left the place due to a calamity, and these are only two (with their families) that have chosen to stay back.  And in this Eden, their religions don't matter. The two families live in total harmony.

But outside this little Eden, it is a different story. Hindus feel that their majoritarian status is being threatened. Muslims feel that atrocities are being committed on them. And this outside world — this serpent, if you will — slowly enters this Eden. And slowly, everyone's real colours come out. 

Is it important to be a good Hindu or Muslim and do what your respective Gods or prophets say, or is it important to be a good human being? When you make a promise on the Quran, should you adhere to it even if your belief systems are being shaken, and people you thought you knew turn out to be religious chauvinists themselves?

All this philosophy is presented in the form of an action-packed home-invasion thriller. And the best part of the script by Anish Pallyal is how it redefines the concept of the home invasion thriller. Usually this genre is about one's own home, i.e. the place one lives in. But here, the very concept of home is questioned. For instance, is India a home for Muslims anymore? 

The screenplay is a cracker. Yes, there is a little over-explaining of the themes via dialogue that seems redundant. But pay close attention and you will see everything has been hinted at before, from the presence of snakes to a man's ability to climb trees to a wasps' nest to the killing of a goat. All of these come back in a major way later on. Even the dialogues are filled with clues. Very early on, we hear about a man who is seeking revenge for his father's death. The man is not named and we don't even know if this man is going to be a part of this movie — that mention about him is so casual. But he does, and we recall that earlier hint.

And remember I said Eden? There is a strong Biblical undercurrent, right down to Cain murdering his brother Abel. This becomes a metaphor for Hindus and Muslims no longer being bhai-bhai , or brothers. We see how a completely good man can be forced to resort to violence, because the murderous Cain's blood runs through all of us. Another lovely point on religion is how God gives us burdens to bear depending on our inner strength.

Kuruthi is superbly crafted. From the slightly askew top angle shot of a police jeep at the beginning, Abinandan Ramanujam's cinematography is outstanding. When Sidney Lumet made his great courtroom drama 12 Angry Men, which is mostly set in one room, the great cinematographer Boris Kaufman found amazingly inventive ways to keep things visually interesting even while maintaining the sense of claustrophobia. That's what Abinandan does here. He keeps finding inventive ways to frame the same room, the same set of people. 

If I did not talk about the specific roles played by the other actors, it's because it's all a surprise, a slow unravelling of events that I don't want to spoil for you. But the performers are terrific. Look at how Prithviraj plays a driven man with strong convictions. Look at how Roshan Mathew plays a mix of compassion and confusion. Look at how Srindaa plays a woman with her own little secrets. This cast elevates what could have been a routine thriller into something much larger. Kuruthi is a solid film that shows how you can make big statements even within the confines of genre.

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• Oct 3, 2021

Kuruthi – Malayalam Movie Review

Updated: Nov 9, 2022

This is an original movie review written and edited by Anoop Prathapan

This review was written on the 3rd of October 2021

Indian Language Malayalam Feature Film

Amazon Prime Movies exclusive release date 11/8/2021

Written by Aneesh Pallyal

Directed by Manu Warrier

Original Song and Background Score by Jakes Bejoy

Produced by Ms. Supriya Menon for M/s Prithviraj Productions

Feature Film Running time 120 minutes (approx.)

The Malayalam film Kuruthi, a socio-political thriller – as the makers claim - was released on Amazon Prime, a day after the great August 10 and I could watch it only now. It is an intense new age drama that concentrates on the prevailing communal hatred in Kerala. Ibrahim, Resool and his ailing dad live in a remote hilly village in Kerala as neighbours to Suma and her brother. Both families suffered major losses in the previous years' landslide. On a usual night when the dad and his two sons engage in a very usual verbal duel with each other, comes running in Sub Inspector Sathyan, played to perfection by Murali Gopi, with a handcuffed man, who is a Hindu fanatic who just killed a Muslim elderly man. After a while, Laiq (played by Prithviraj) comes in to capture the Hindu boy as it is revealed that the elderly man whom the boy killed was Laiq’s dad. SI Sathyan soon gets killed in an encounter with Laiq. How Laiq and his aide corners the Hindu fanatic, how the religious and communal inclinations of each of the characters propel the story forward and what eventually happens to each of the characters form the rest of the story.

It is a bold attempt by the director Manu Warrier in his maiden outing in Malayalam for delving into such a theme with utmost care. The narrative is all about the communal bitterness that we needlessly cultivate in the younger generation that automatically pulls down their tolerance level towards anyone and anything. The writer Aneesh Pallyal wrote decent thriller-quality stuff until Laiq came in. After that, a lesser melodrama would have made the narrative more intriguing. It is medically unbelievable to a doctor like me how somebody whose right forearm is torn from wrist to the elbow with a knife can do so much in the movie after, including lifting his hurt dad in the woods. The only thing he apparently says he cannot do with that arm was driving...!!!

Prithviraj was NOT AT ALL convincing in this avatar of a religious extremist and I felt he overdid his expressions quite a bit from his scene one. Fahad Fasil would have been a far better choice for this role than Prithviraj with his sharper looks and subtle expressions. Roshan Mathew did his job reasonably well. Srinda, Naslen and Manikantan made good use of the opportunity. Shine Tom Chacko had nothing much to do on screen before getting dead lying upside down. Veteran Mamukkoya was the star of the show with his stupidity at times and farsightedness at times.

Technical aspects were near-perfect. Subtitles were correct as Vivek Ranjit has done an outstanding job. Music was the only aspect that was PATHETIC in the film. I have this feeling that with each new movie in Malayalam, the quality of music is going down - re-recording is loud and noisy and the songs make you puke. There is no actual music in there. I think Jakes Bejoy, Shan Rahman, 4 musics, Sushin Shyam and many such newbies be kept aside and veterans MJ, Ouseppachan, Vidyasagar and the like be invited back to the industry so that real music prevails.

Altogether, it is a good one time watch strictly for adults (due to the violence)

My rating 6.5/10

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'Kuruthi' Review: Prithviraj Impresses In a Brave and Relevant Film

Review of prithviraj sukumaran-starrer malayalam film kuruthi now streaming on amazon prime video, 'kuruthi' review: prithviraj impresses in a brave and relevant film.

"The only real filming in India is happening in this industry. Take a bow guys.”

“Addicted on Malayalam movies now-a-days”

“Prithvi and Fahadh are the game changers of Mollywood ❤️”

“I think lockdown is a blessing for the Malayalam movie industry.”

“I think recent times Malayalam movies are another level 🔥”

Just a few of the comments buzzing around Malayalam cinema as Kuruthi releases. Many of the Malayalam cinema offerings during the pandemic have been top notch.

Does Kuruthi directed by Manu Warrier live up to the hype and expectations? Is it keeping the flag of quality in adversity flying high? Well, yes and no. Yes, it is not bad. At all. No, it’s not brilliant in any way. The film works: it's involving, intriguing and constantly seems on the edge of startling developments. Yet, the overriding feeling you’re left with is a dazed confusion.

An ordinary house where a group of people face extraordinary situations, and where each of those people are guided or misguided by their faith is a great movie plot. Religious biases pitting human against human and mostly always winning, if inflicting pain, is success. It should have been an edgy thrilling ride, which it is in parts, but ends up losing the wit and acerbity especially towards the end.

Roshan Mathew in  Kuruthi.

(Photo Courtesy: Amazon Prime Video)

Kuruthi dives headlong into that untouchable bogey that is religion. For that itself I hope more people see it. It’s not saying anything original or path-breaking, but it’s saying what is necessary and needs to be heard. That religious hate is a bloody pointless fire, that never really dies once ignited.

The cinematography by Abinandhan Ramanujam is sumptuous when outside and adequately claustrophobic inside the house. The ensemble cast of Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Mammukoya, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko, Srinda, Nalsen K Gafoor and others is excellent. We get a good feel of each of these characters, essential in such a movie, because of the decisions each one spontaneously takes. The action sequences are clumsy but don’t jar.

It’s interesting how when the hardliners Kuruthi spout their ideology, you’ll recognise most of it from the comments section of any social media post. Or forwards by a particularly virulent uncle on WhatsApp. The metaphorical narrative of right-wing trolls versus liberals seems intentional and it works. However, some of the writing does seem tired and the characters can do little to elevate that. Even so, certain punches are always funny. Like who hasn’t heard the ridiculous harking back to Mughals for any ill in India today? Here it is Shah Jahan mistaken by the cantankerous patriarch for Shah Jahan the local barber. (Not giving any more spoilers.)

Prithviraj Sukukmaran in  Kuruthi.

Kuruthi is a watchable, thrill of a ride. It will be enjoyed by many because it’s tight and focussed, but maybe not gritty enough for some others.

Is it over dramatic in spurts? Yes.

Does it seem forced here and there? Yes.

Is it facile sometimes? Yes.

But is it relevant, needed and brave? A resounding YES.

Today, when India is on the edge of communal tension and targeted harassment of minority communities is common, a film like Kuruthi , even if not perfect, holds an important mirror to society. This amplifies, without being preachy, the Us and Them that most hardliners perpetuate. The film by no means tilts the conflict between different religions one way or the other. It offers us views on how subtly modern fundamentalist cults enter our subconscious and make us hate without remorse.

For this brave attempt #Respect to director Manu Warrier, writer Anish Pallyal and the producers.

Kuruthi is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

(Sangita Nambiar is a writer, active theatre person and deep sea diving enthusiast you can connect with on Twitter @Sanginamby)

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Conflicts started to happen in Moosa Khader's home after the entry of a police officer and a murder convict. Conflicts started to happen in Moosa Khader's home after the entry of a police officer and a murder convict. Conflicts started to happen in Moosa Khader's home after the entry of a police officer and a murder convict.

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Moosa : Do you know what's the biggest reason for man kind's suffering? Man's Story on this earth didn't begin with the forbidden fruit. It began when Qabil killed his own brother, out of spite. That was the real 'original sin'. It is the blood of that Qabil, which runs through the veins of humans. The call of that blood.We cannot ignore it. Blood for blood! Spite for spite! Revenge for revenge. Even if he is starving, even if his house is leaking or even if he has to go to jail. Human just wants to see the end of his enemy.

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KURUTHI MOVIE REVIEW CLICK TO RATE THE MOVIE

Kuruthi, a crime thriller directed by Manu Warrier, is now released directly on Prime. The film stars Prithviraj, Roshan Mathew, Mamukkoya, and Murali Gopi in the lead roles. 

Kuruthi is the story of revenge propelled by Laiq out of his religious intoxication. Laiq (Prithviraj) is on a run to hunt down Vishnu (Sagar Surya) for killing his father. In this vengeful hunt of communal dispute, Ibru (Roshan Mathew), his father (Mamukkoya), brother (Naslen), and neighbour (Srindha) get involved by fate. The events soon lead to bloodshed and scars and show societal behavior in the most microscopic way. 

Kuruthi speaks on religious conflicts more transparently. It shouts out loud the reason for why the religious altercations are in a never-ending loop and what is the reason behind it. The film raises its voice against today’s politics and how people have become blindfolded. The film takes a bold approach to speak about the rotten, atrocious mixture of wrong politics and injected religious toxicity in the most balanced yet effective way. 

The film speaks the rights and wrongs of opposing communities, keeping the pivotal point of how poisonous religion has become buoyant. It is not the story of a war between two religions, but the biased, vile vendetta among the religious sectarians.  

After a long time, Prithviraj is back as an antagonist and has given an awestruck performance. From his dialogue delivery to expressions, everything sparkled the nefarious conduct. Roshan Mathew as Ibru is characterized in a very clever manner, keeping in mind the need to tackle the emotional approach of the audience. Mamukkoya as Ibru’s father was both wits and dashing, scoring in every scene. Murali Gopi and Srinda also did justice to their roles. Naslen and Shine Tom Chacko were also very convincing and provoking. 

Abhinandan Ramanujan’s cinematography is a bonus to the film. The visuals were neat and photographed well. The night shots though could have been better, with much clever use of light. But overall, the visuals were really moving and captivating. 

Written by Anish Pallyal, the film stands solid on its plot and the way every scene has been knit. Unlike other films, it doesn’t stand biased or try to whitewash any community. It stays unprejudiced and openly condemns the present-day sectarian divisions that root in hatred and pestilential religious beliefs. The writing is very precise and clever. The story and message are to the point, but the filmmaking part could have been much more enthralling. 

Manu Warrier’s direction made this ‘could have been problematic’ script a very neutral and transparent one. He has showcased the exact nature of society and how even the public is being injected with such misleading and glorified poisonous ideas. He showcased where the change needs to be brought and how people should realize the need for equity more than equality. There are few moments that slip, but as a wholesome, this Manu Warrier directed flick is thoroughly enjoyable.

KURUTHI VIDEO REVIEW

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REVIEW RATING EXPLANATION

பிரேக்கிங் சினிமா செய்திகள், திரை விமர்சனம், பாடல் விமர்சனம், ஃபோட்டோ கேலரி, பாக்ஸ் ஆபிஸ் செய்திகள், ஸ்லைடு ஷோ, போன்ற பல்வேறு சுவாரஸியமான தகவல்களை தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கு கிளிக் செய்யவும்      

KURUTHI NEWS STORIES

Bone-chilling trailer of Prithviraj & Roshan Mathew's Kuruthi released! Check now!

Prithviraj reveals first look poster and release date for his next thriller film - Deets!

Prithviraj and wife share a happy news with a new pic - Duo join hands together professionally for the third time!

Wow! Mega-hit Lucifer combo Prithviraj & Murali Gopy to get back to work - New movie to start rolling soon!

Kuruthi related news stories.

• Bone-chilling trailer of Prithviraj & Roshan Mathew's Kuruthi released! Check now
• Prithviraj reveals first look poster and release date for his next thriller film - Deets
• New announcement from Prithviraj and wife - join hands professionally for third time
• Lucifer combo Prithviraj Murali Gopy to work for next new movie from this date ft Kuruthi

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‘Kuruthi’ movie review: Right intentions get lost in treatment and forced balancing

The prithviraj-starrer’s promising premise does not exactly translate into exciting cinema, with over-dramatic and preachy lines spoiling the effect.

August 11, 2021 10:58 am | Updated 11:07 am IST

Prithviraj Sukumaran in ‘Kuruthi’

Not so long ago, people who used to proudly display their religious bigotry used to be referred to as ‘fringe elements’. Slowly, that usage almost ceased to exist as hate speech got mainstreamed through vast social media and ground networks, so much so, that not even the remotest regions remained immune from it.

Also Read | Get ‘First Day First Show’, our weekly newsletter from the world of cinema, in your inbox . You can subscribe for free here

In Kuruthi , the action takes place in one such remote region, inside the hilly forests, which is recovering from the after-effects of a landslide. When we see the families here first, most of them are still grieving the deep personal losses. There is not a clue about the communal cauldron simmering beneath, not especially in a woman who is spending much of her waking hours in taking care of the affairs of her neighbour, who belongs to another religion.

The film, written by Aneesh Pallyal and directed by Manu Warrier, seems to say that it might not take much to kindle a fire from the inherent biases and baser instincts in humans, especially when political actors of various hues are waiting to gain from it. Following the genre of ‘home invasion’ films, here we have a police officer (Murali Gopy) barging in one night along with an accused in a religious hate crime into the household of Ibru (Roshan Mathew), who is grieving the loss of his wife and daughter in the landslide.

• Director: Manu Warrier
• Cast: Prithviraj, Roshan Mathew, Mamukkoya, Srindaa
• Plot: A story about how enduring human relations, that transcend boundaries, struggle to survive trials of hatred and prejudice
• Duration: 2 hours 2 mins

Before long, a band of extremists of the opposite hue lands up at the doorstep, baying for the accused’s blood, setting up a clash of religious ideologies, in which even the most sane ones sometimes display their dark sides. Moosa (Mamukkoya) and Laiq (Prithviraj) represent varied ways of looking at the same religion, while on the other side there are the accused’s and Manikandan’s characters.

Yet, this promising premise does not exactly translate into exciting cinema, with over-dramatic and, at times preachy, lines spoiling the effect. One gets a staged feeling in some of the sequences, which is compounded by the fact that much of the action takes place inside a room. Saddled with the unenviable task of striking a balance between the extremism of both sides, and distributing the blame equally, the scriptwriter must have broken more sweat than the cinematographer.

At times, the balance seems to be forced and simplistic, and at some points the crimes of one side seems to be downplayed and explained away as the doings of an impressionable youth. In fact, we are never shown any images of the murder that he committed, but we get to see a lot of the violence those hunting for him are committing. Several layers are set up for exploration, on how religion colours interactions between humans, but these are either left under-explored or are delivered as unconvincing one-liners amid the bouts of violence.

The makers of Kuruthi might have been well-intentioned, but the intent somehow gets lost in the treatment and the forced balancing.

Kuruthi is currently streaming on Amazon Prime

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• ENGLISH HINDI MALAYALAM TAMIL TELUGU KANNADA BENGALI  

Kuruthi Malayalam Movie

Like Rohith VS's Kala, Manu Warrier's Kuruthi uses a home invasion thriller as a template to explore deeper themes. Only, Kala is a physical manifestation of a class struggle, whereas Kuruthi is about how hatred sprouts communal violence. Now, what is a home invasion thriller? It is the kind of film where one character, usually a vandal, enters another's home without authorization and destroys everything there. It is a genre with a lot of limitations in terms of what a film can do.

Kuruthi works within those limitations while telling a provocative story that touches on even our deep traumas, fears and beliefs. The first half-hour or so is a set-up for what's to follow. We see characters discussing different things going on in their world, including a boy who killed a shop owner. At first, these conversations seem random, and the world these characters inhabit appears pretty peaceful. A past landslide affected a part of the village, taking many lives in the process. We learn that Roshan Mathew's Ibrahim and Manikandan Achari's Preman lost their families in the landslide. Despite that, Suma (Srindaa) and Preman live as a family isolated from the rest of the village, as do Ibrahim, Rasool (Naslen) and Moosa (Mamukkoya).

Things perk up when a cop, Murali Gopy's SI Sathyan, forces his way into Ibrahim's home late at night with a culprit, Sagar Surya's Vishnu. The cop tells Ibrahim and his family that he needs to spend the night there for a specific reason. Then, a series of strange events tests the morality and faith of these characters. Kuruthi makes you wonder what is more significant: Our adherence to faith or belief in humanity.

Kuruthi was filmed entirely during the pandemic, but you would not know this had the makers kept it a secret. A lot of the challenges for the movie would apply to any other home invasion thriller. For instance, it is challenging to film the events in and around a home and still make it all interesting. Director Manu Warrier and cinematographer Abinandhan Ramanujam overcome that challenge with some stretches of bravura filmmaking. The writing by Anish Pallyal is also always interesting and often provocative.

There are multiple layers to Anish Pallyal's script for Kuruthi. What seems like throwaway lines and random references early in the film come full circle at the end, including one about a sacrificial goat. Besides, it is Anish's meaningful lines that give Manu a chance to explore the deeper themes of the movie and that help him with characterization.

Speaking of characterization, it helps that the movie has a group of performers working at the top of their game. Prithviraj plays an interesting character called Laiq, who I do not want to talk much about here to avoid spoilers. But know this much: Prithviraj conveys what drives this man even with the relatively limited screen time he gets. Roshan Mathew conveys his character's perplexity and morality very well. Srindaa essays a powerful female character with a complicated sense of morality.

When I saw Murali Gopy initially, I had a sense of perception about what this man is like. Even as his character's actions seem contrary to my perception, the actor is skilled enough to convey his true nature without much dialogue. You could say the same about Shine Tom Chacko and Mamukkoya in their respective roles. Veteran actor Mamukkoya is so good in the film's more powerful moments that he gave me gooseflesh.

Now, Kuruthi is not a perfect film. Almost every film has its fair share of flaws, and Kuruthi is no exception. My slight reservations about the movie have to do with some of its action sequences. For instance, when we see a character running behind a motorbike, we expect the bike to be so far in front, but the stunt makes it seem like the character also has wheels. Then, there are so many scenes where some of the characters are about to get shot or killed/injured otherwise. There are too many scenes like those in the movie. As with the talking killer syndrome, the repetition here kind of makes you want to yell at the characters, "guys, get on with it". But these are not major dealbreakers. These minor flaws aside, Kuruthi works as it packs in a lot more than your standard home invasion thriller.

Film Review: Kuruthi—A Deeply Problematic Narrative

Spoilers ahead

We witnessed open calls for Muslim genocide in the national capital while the Malayalam film industry is celebrating Kuruthi , a Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer directed by Manu Warrier and produced by Supriya Menon. Written by Anish Pallyal, the story is set in Eerattupetta.

Ibrahim (Ibru) , played by Roshan Mathew, lost his wife and daughter in the landslide who is now left alone with his brother, Rasool and father Moosa . Suma , played by Srinda and her brother Preman , who also lost their spouses, are neighbors to Ibru . The story opens up when a policeman barges into Ibrahim ’s house, unexpectedly one night, with Vishnu , who is accused of murdering a Muslim man. With a bunch of Muslims baying for the accused Hindu boy in revenge, Ibrahim is left responsible to protect the cop and the accused from them.

Kuruthi serves as an addition to the rightist binary propaganda: good Muslim VS bad Muslim trope, where both fight to rescue and redeem a ‘naïve’ Hindu boy, who killed a Muslim merchant for not closing his shop on their strike day. Apparently, in the film there is a ‘neutral’ Hindu police officer who gives insight to the ‘good’ Muslim character to protect the accused from the ‘bad’ Muslim extremists. If you think Kuruthi represents both Hindu and Muslim extremist sides overtly, virtuously intending to show how blind faith give birth to hate, can’t help saying that, you are too innocent here. 

Also read: Film Review: Malik – A Political Drama Where The Poet’s Hero Clashes With The Director’s

Before pointing out how the characterisation of the extremist groups in this movie is biased, let me write it down. It is extremely horrific and menacing to see such explicit propaganda movies being justified by popular influential media. At the outset, the Muslim extremists are portrayed in Kuruthi as vehement hunters. With Navas ’ character who almost looked like a zombie baying for blood, and the others quoting Quran and taking out weapons to kill whenever they get a chance, the movie pictures them as barbaric. Kuruthi miserably fails the Riz test within the first half hour. It is high time Malayalam filmmakers stop pretending to be woke by making films on Dalit and Muslims, by portraying them as terrorists and barbaric in the process.

With Navas’ character who almost looked like a zombie baying for blood, and the others quoting Quran and taking out weapons to kill whenever they get a chance, the movie pictures muslims as barbaric. Kuruthi miserably fails the Riz test within the first half hour.

But whenever the Hindu characters of Kuruthi delivers bigoted dialogues, of the two, the murderer is justified as a misled young lad. The repetitive emphasis on his young age and justification that his deed was done in a melee make him appear less dangerous (or done accidentally, driven by ‘justifiable’ circumstances). When Srinda’s character lists out all usual rightist arguments, asking out, “Wouldn’t they do the same if someone pollutes their mosque?” to forcibly justify the crime Vishnu did, there was not a counter argument to question it. If you did feel a pause there, which almost left you speechless, dare you not say that the crew were not intentionally doing this.

Again, when Vishnu’s character rants about not getting admitted into IIT because of caste reservations, Kuruthi which claims to show ‘both sides equally’ refused to bring even a counter dialogue there, but filled a logical pause. We only hear about what the Hindu boy did. But we are made to see, lengthy and detailed violence, to quote, ‘the graphic sadism’ that Muslim extremist groups do. While the two groups here bear equal wrongs, the film portrays the Hindu murderer as the one who is hunted, and the Muslim chasers as the savage hunters.

Also, the closure of Kuruthi brings two equally wronged characters, Rasool and Vishnu on the bridge: the scene brings more heed to Rasool ’s character, which is portrayed bloodthirsty with the dagger rather than the other. Why are always Muslims shown as violent, if the other extremist people are equally bad too? Why did the narrative chose Muslim extremists to attack the police officer, but not like Hindu bigots trying to rescue him? Why is this the way movies always portray a certain section of people?

Coming to the cinematic aspects, the preachy dialogues and over-dramatic punch lines of Kuruthi were not any better. The filmmakers didn’t forget to include the essential sexist dialogues for the Muslim characters, to remind us the stereotype “that Islam always marginalise and oppress women” – the wise old Moosa played by Mamukoya says, “If you marry her, cooking for us (the other men in the family) is not her generosity but her duty”, Laiq , the young man, “asking what has a woman got to do where men are talking?”.

Coming to the cinematic aspects, the preachy dialogues and over-dramatic punch lines of Kuruthi were not any better. The filmmakers didn’t forget to include the essential sexist dialogues for the Muslim characters, to remind us the stereotype “that Islam always marginalise and oppress women”

Meanwhile Srinda’s character who is on the side of Hindutva extremists is portrayed as a strong woman of agency, who takes decisions on her own. The film promotes the character of Moosa as a “good and wise” character, who doesn’t question the other narrative, who doesn’t interrogate the fabricated history. A hidden propaganda which urges the minority communities to stay hushed and apolitical.

We watched Dalits fighting each other in Nayattu , now we have got Muslims fighting each other in Kuruthi . Now what’s next, Mollywood?

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Truly genuine observations…… Congrats….To Kaveri…..

Brilliant observation..the film has several cringe moments, and monsterises the muslim community

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Kuruthi Movie Review: A pertinent thriller in the garb of a Western

Rating: ( 3.5 / 5).

When Sathyan (Murali Gopy as a police officer once again after Drishyam 2 ) shows up with a convict at the front door of a patriarch named Moosa (Mamukkoya), Kuruthi assumes the nature of a Western. Sathyan is a cross between Kurt Russell's character in The Hateful Eight and John Wayne's in Rio Bravo . In structure, Kuruthi resembles the former film. Moosa's house would have been the Sheriff's office in a 50's Western. At one point in Kuruthi , the 'Sheriff' - in this case, Sathyan - trusts one character to be his 'deputy'. And in the film's climax, a reverse 'deputation' happens with two different characters. But let's not get into spoilers now, shall we?

The Western quality of the film becomes more pronounced when Prithviraj's Laiq enters through the same door later, recalling Lee Van Cleef in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly or Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds . In terms of stubbornness, though, he resembles Ethan from The Searchers . But, unlike Ethan, Laiq gives the impression of someone incapable of redemption. This is not to say the performance is of the same calibre. But, more on that later. 

Director: Manu Warrier

Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Mamukkoya, Manikandan, Srindaa, Shine Tom Chacko 

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Kuruthi is a home invasion thriller in the same vein as Kala and Varathan . But it also uses elements of the Western genre and chamber drama to present familiar thoughts in a manner accessible to all age groups. Some might call it unsophisticated for this very reason. As was evident in the promos, Kuruthi explores the chaos unleashed by people with opposing ideologies and the pointlessness of violence provoked by religious fervour and fanaticism. It doesn't take sides. The funniest moment in the film arrives when one character cites ancient history and another character mistakenly brings up a Bollywood superstar's name, with hilarious results. 

To put it simply, Kuruthi is one of those 'need of the hour' films that reflect our times. The action confined to a single location serves to continually remind us that despite being in the middle of a terrifying disaster, some folks still prefer to spew hatred instead of focusing on their survival. 

It is why the film has Mamukkoya - to constantly hammer home the absurdity of it all. In Moosa, we once again get to see a character that does justice to an actor of Mamukkoya's stature. Despite the presence of Prithviraj, Roshan Mathew and others, it's his presence that puts the film back on the rails in the brief instances where it goes off them. Though he is a relic of the past with archaic views on certain things, Moosa is the wisest character in the film. 

I have to admit, though, that Kuruthi delivers more in terms of staging than performances. Close-ups, split diopters, and dutch angles are used inventively in several places to heighten tension. Barring its sluggish opening minutes, the film successfully sustains the nervous energy established when Sathyan appears with his prisoner and turns into a litmus test for all the characters around him. This tension is sustained till the finale.

Speaking of performances, Prithviraj does something with his eyes that reminded me of his brother Indrajith's Kathakali artiste-turned-avenger character in Lijo Jose Pellissery's Nayakan . This 'eye-popping' effect is a bit comical, but the actor seems to have enjoyed playing a deranged man. At one point, he recalls an encounter with a "Neo Nazi" and a "Macedonian Lady with cat-eyes", and I wondered whether I was watching an Anoop Menon film. And once we get to the scene where Prithviraj wields an axe like Jack Nicholson in The Shining , I half expected him to yell, "Here's Laiqqqq!!!" But surprisingly, this hamminess didn't bother me much. I, too, had fun watching him go crazy. 

But even if one wants to overlook some of its minor shortcomings, certain aspects stick out like a sore thumb. The character, Suma, essayed by Srindaa, for instance. It seemed as though she was playing two different people at the same time. The fault lies not so much in her performance but the development of her character arc. Suma is as confusing to me as Game of Thrones ' Danaerys Targaryen. After everything she said in the film's earlier portions, her decisions in the third act didn't make any sense.

While the performances are occasionally stagey and accompanied by unrefined dialogue delivery, actors such as Roshan Mathew, Shine Tom Chacko, and Mamukkoya efficiently keep their characters' true nature concealed till the end. While his crisis of faith makes Roshan's character seem vulnerable, Shine manages to come across as a man who might harbour a motive different from his allies. 

I don't know if this approach was intentional or not, but Kuruthi seems like a film that doesn't take itself seriously even though it addresses a serious issue. I don't mean this in a negative. It may seem an odd combination to some, but if a film such as Dr Strangelove addressed sensitive issues through darkly comical and over-the-top performances, can one find fault with Kuruthi for the same approach too - if that was, indeed, the intention? Yes, the film would've looked and sounded better with more nuanced writing, but would it have gotten the necessary reach otherwise? I doubt. 

Kuruthi is a film that seems complicated on the surface, but it's really not. It calls out the hatemongers on both sides. And the fact that a big superstar agreed to take on an unconventional role like Laiq and produce the film is commendable indeed. Hopefully, the 'performance' of Prithviraj's eyes doesn't inspire long think pieces.

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Kuruthi review: An uninspired take on hatred and the pitfalls of religions

'Kuruthi' ends up as half-baked attempt with a confused message about religions

Kuruthi (ritual sacrifice) is the act of seeking to please gods above for favours, or riddance of misfortune. The blood spilt and the life sacrificed are believed to gladden the deities into granting favours. In Manu Warrier's directorial debut Kuruthi , the sacrifice involves more than one life, and the intent is not to gratify an invisible deity, but to quench hatred that forces men to see each other only through the prism of religion.

Featuring an ensemble cast of talented actors, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko, Mamukkoya, Srindaa, Navas Vallikkunnu and Thanneer Mathan Dinangal   fame Naslen, Kuruthi narrates the tale of a group of men who end up at a house in a night of horrors. 

Ibrahim (Roshan Mathew) is a man burdened by a loss that is too hard to bear. His teen brother Resul (Naslen) is hate-filled teenager, unable to make sense of the world that he feels as unfair to his community, and has strong views against people who he believes are opposed to his idea of the almighty. Their father Hassan, played by Mamukkoya is hard on him, and that isn't making life any easy for Resul.

One night, a cop arrives at their house—cut off from the rest of the village after a landslide—with a prisoner. Hot on their trail are a few men bent on vengeance, one of who is Resul's mentor and Ibrahim's friend Karim (Shine Tom Chacko). Leading the men is Laiq (Prithviraj), who has assumed the role of his god's hired gun and is looking for revenge for a wrongdoing at the hands of the prisoner.

A group of men, and a woman, at a house at each other's throat and blinded by the god(s) they claim to fight for and protect does appear like a promising premise, one that could offer plenty of chill and tense moments. Kuruthi , with the corny tagline 'A Vow to Kill... An Oath to Protect' had the potential to be a thrilling ride while also attempting to be a commentary on the cycle of hatred and injustice perpetuated by those who place heavenly beings above their fellow humans. However, the film, written by Anish Pallya, fails to build on the premise and ends up being a half-baked attempt. 

Roshan Mathew delivers a decent performance as the conflicted man Ibrahim and Murali Gopy does justice to his character of a slightly prejudiced, but no-nonsense cope. The only woman character in this entire affair of hate-filled men, Srindaa's Sumathi, is convincing as the voice of sanity most of the times, while Prithviraj's Laiq ends up as the one-note character of a bigot, who refuses to see people beyond their religions. Mamukkoya's Hassan had enough back story to be a menacing presence, but is let down by a confused script and contrived scenarios. Naslen shines as a confused victim of religious indoctrination, while the rest of the cast does not have much to contribute.

Much of the proceedings unfold like an amateur drama, with dialogues that sometimes appear to be lifted from the comments section of a not particularly enlightening post, especially when the director makes his characters mouth their reasons for being obdurate in their spite for each other. The uninspired dialogues fail to give any gravitas to the proceedings. Abinandhan Ramanujam's cinematography brings in the claustrophobia necessary to the conflict unfolding mostly inside a decrepit house, but the action sequences appear poorly choreographed.

Touted to be a fast-paced thriller with plenty of action and edge-of-the-seat moments, Kuruthi ends up as half-baked attempt with a confused message about religions and people who kill and maim in the name of the god(s).

Film: Kuruthi

Directed by : Manu Warrier

Starring: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko, Srindaa, Mamukoya

Rating : 2/5

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Kuruthi ( Amazon Prime ) 11/Aug/2021 Thriller, Drama 122 Mins

Critics: 7 Panel: 0 User: 10

Overall: 4.7 from 17 users

Synopsis/Plot : Ibrahim, a rubber tapping labourer lives in the lonely mountain ranges and is trying to leave behind memories of a traumatic monsoon landslide in which he lost his daughter and wife. On a fateful night, an injured cop barges into his house with a prisoner and seeks refuge. When a powerful enemy burning with vengeance follows them into his house, Ibrahim is forced to confront testing questions about his own beliefs and convictions. Then it takes turns to point where the line of one's action crosses all boundaries fuelled by hate and nothing else.

Director : Manu Warrier

Music Director : Jakes Bejoy

Cast More Cast & Crew (8)

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Critics Review

With its debatable politics, kuruthi is an interesting take on communal violence.

The quality of filmmaking in Kuruthi might be indisputable but the politics could be up for a debate. The film doesn't necessarily take sides and in fact it makes a point about how religious fights might have nothing to do with ideologies and is just one other reason for mankind to wage the 'Us' vs ... (more)

Source: Bharath Vijayakumar, MovieCrow

A BOLD MICROCOSMIC VIEW OF SOCIETY

The good thing about Malayalam movies, apart from timely stories told in an unique manner, is how the side characters are given interesting personalities and quirks. And so much so in Kuruthi, that you almost don't notice that the star hasn't made an appearance till the 45th minute. The film, with ... (more)

Source: The Times of India, Times Of India

Kuruthi is a microscopic look into the troubled society which has substance, packed with performances and clever direction.

Manu Warrier's direction made this could have been problematic script a very neutral and transparent one. He has showcased the exact nature of society and how even the public is being injected with such misleading and glorified poisonous ideas. He showcased where the change needs to be brought and h... (more)

Source: Behindwoods Review Board, Behindwoods.com

Right intentions get lost in treatment and forced balancing

Yet, this promising premise does not exactly translate into exciting cinema, with over-dramatic and, at times preachy, lines spoiling the effect. One gets a staged feeling in some of the sequences, which is compounded by the fact that much of the action takes place inside a room. Saddled with the un... (more)

Source: S.R Praveen, The Hindu

An engaging political drama

With an engaging script by Anish Pallyal, the director has packed the movie deliciously. Abhinandan Ramanujam's excellent cinematography needs a big round of applause as the viewer feels like being in the house watching the events unfold right in front of the eyes. (more)

Source: Movie Buff, Sify.com

An engaging, but problematic thriller

Prithviraj plays Laiq, a Muslim extremist with international connections. The actor is a pleasure to watch when he allows a character to absorb him entirely -- Koshy in Ayyappanum Koshiyum or Joshua in Koode, for example. But in many a film, he is too conscious of his star persona to submerge himsel... (more)

Source: Sowmya Rajendran, The News Minute

Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer undermines its own lofty messaging on Hindu-Muslim ties

The film's overlying message is beautifully articulated by Moosa: "Man always needs something to hate. To maintain that hatred between us, there will always be a them and us. A spark of hate is all you need to ignite a raging fire. Once the fire rages, we keep hating to make sure it never dies. In t... (more)

Source: Anna MM Vetticad, Firstpost.com

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