'Pravinkoodu Shappu': This Soubin-Basil starrer is a clever mix of suspense, humour | Movie Review

Imagine a stunning magic trick—except this time, the 'trick' is a murder. The catch? The murder takes place in a toddy shop, with a group of people present, yet no one knows who committed the crime. Everyone becomes a suspect. Enter a quirky police inspector with a touch of Sherlock Holmes flair, determined to unravel the mystery. That’s the premise of 'Pravinkoodu Shappu', a cleverly crafted mystery by Sreeraj Sreenivasan, with Basil Joseph and Soubin Shahir delivering standout performances.

The film revolves around police inspector Santhosh, played by Basil Joseph, who is assigned to investigate the murder of Babu, a wealthy and influential man feared by the villagers. Soubin Shahir takes on the role of Kannan, a worker at the toddy shop where the murder takes place. As Santhosh delves deeper into the case, the story progresses with twists and turns, keeping the audience guessing about the true culprit.

The film’s real edge comes from its stellar performances. Right from the outset, the characters tied to the crime scene are introduced, giving the audience a front-row seat to the unfolding drama. The story peels back layers, exploring the victim's identity and his role in the village. What keeps it fresh is the way it weaves satirical humour and clever use of music into the murder mystery, turning it into an engaging and unexpectedly fun ride.

The plot moves at a brisk pace, effortlessly blending tension with humour. Sreeraj Sreenivasan injects dark wit throughout, keeping the audience on their toes and often laughing out loud in moments of seriousness. Take, for example, a scene where Soubin’s character gets beaten up, and Basil’s character storms in, visibly frustrated. Naturally, you’d expect an emotional response from Soubin. Instead, he delivers a completely unrelated yet perfectly timed, witty remark that catches everyone off guard.

Much like that, many scenes are crafted with the same clever touch, making the humour darker and more intricately written. The second half continues to fascinate as the mystery deepens with each twist. Basil Joseph’s inspector Santhosh is quirky and self-assured, with an ego built on a certain overconfidence in his talents. Soubin’s Kannan, on the other hand, sees the world as an unfair place, constantly battling against it. Both actors deliver raw, nuanced performances alongside strong support from Chemban Vinod and Chandini Sreedharan, who also shine in their roles. Shivajith also turns in a highly impressive performance as Babu. What stands out about the characters is that each one has distinct traits, leaving a lasting impression and making them unforgettable.

However, where the film slightly stumbles is in its suspense-driven approach. With numerous plot points thrown in, the climax feels cluttered, leaving some loose ends that make you question the need for certain elements introduced along the way.

The story is anchored around the toddy shop and its surroundings, which adds a unique charm to the narrative. Despite much of the action taking place in the dimly lit shop, the cinematography manages to keep the visuals compelling and engaging, bringing life to what could have been a monotonous setting.

The film definitely deserves a trip to the theatres if you're in the mood for a suspenseful thriller with plenty of twists and a touch of dark humour. With both Soubin and Basil at the top of their game, their performances alone make it worth watching on the big screen.