After its theatrical run in May 2025, Detective Ujjwalan, the second film in the Weekend Cinematic Universe (after Minnal Murali), has now made its way to OTT. Starring Dhyan Sreenivasan in the lead, this Malayalam-language mystery comedy is now streaming.
Directed by Indraneel Gopalakrishnan and Rahul G, the film tries to strike a balance between a whodunit thriller and a situational comedy set in the fictional village of Plachikkavu.
With its light-hearted tone, eccentric characters, and rooted backdrop, Detective Ujjwalan explores what happens when a serial killer turns a sleepy village upside down — and whether an amateur local sleuth is up for the challenge.
About the Movie
The story revolves around Ujjwalan, a quirky librarian in Plachikkavu who also doubles up as the local detective. He’s known for solving petty village mysteries like stolen ornaments or missing goats. But things take a darker turn when a serial killer starts striking fear in the region. As the police struggle, Ujjwalan is forced to step up — but is he capable of handling something more serious than stolen coconuts?
Set against the charming village backdrop of Palakkad, the film was shot across Kollengode, Nenmara, Shoranur, and Pattambi. The cinematography by Premkrishna and Sraiyanti captures the beauty of Kerala interiors, while the original score by Rzee gives the film a playful, at times eerie mood. The humour is rooted and the narrative reminds viewers of Kunjiramayanam, blending mystery with slice-of-life moments.
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Reviews
Detective Ujjwalan received mixed responses from critics and audiences. While some appreciated Dhyan’s comic timing and the film’s colourful tone, others felt the writing lacked the punch required for a gripping mystery. The first half builds up the suspense well with quirky character introductions, but the second half struggles to keep momentum, with some scenes feeling predictable and stretched.
Still, the film has its moments. Viewers have appreciated the performances of the ensemble cast, including Siju Wilson, Rony David Raj, Kottayam Nazeer, and Seema G. Nair. The production quality, especially sound and set design, has been praised. There’s also curiosity among fans about the post-credit scene and how it might connect to future films in the WCU.
Read: Best Malayalam movies of 2025 so far
OTT Streaming Details
- Platform: Netflix
- OTT Release Date: July 11, 2025
- Language: Malayalam (with subtitles available)
If you’re a fan of light mystery thrillers with a strong local flavour and humour-driven storytelling, Detective Ujjwalan might be a good weekend watch. It's not perfect, but it offers enough charm and laughs to keep you engaged.
- OTT Weekly Releases: July 7-13 | June 30-July 6| Other dates
