Latest news with #WeekendCinematicUniverse
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Detective Ujjwalan OTT Release: When and where to watch Malayalam mystery comedy starring Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siju Wilson
Malayalam mystery comedy Detective Ujjwalan opened to mixed reviews at the box office and grossed moderately in terms of numbers. It has been a part of the Weekend Cinematic Universe helmed by producer Sophia Paul, who also led Minnal Murali. And now the movie has finally locked its official OTT streaming date. When and where to watch Detective Ujjwalan Detective Ujjwalan will begin streaming on Netflix starting July 11. The OTT giant confirmed the same with an official post on their X handle. However, it would only be available in its original Malayalam version. Sharing a poster of the film, they wrote 'Case endhaayalum Ujjwalan is always standing on business. Watch Detective Ujjwalan on Netflix, out 11 July in Malayalam.' Official trailer and plot of Detective Ujjwalan The premise of the movie is set against a village named Plaachikkaavu, where a local detective named Ujjwalan resides. Amid leading a mundane life, he once comes across as a somewhat ominous character who readily challenges his skills and intellect. What starts as a mere matter of competition turns into a deadly battle of wits. While the village itself is only known for minor crimes, the presence of this new character causes some unexpected and untoward turns, even in the lives of its residents. As a result, it leaves Ujjawalan with the task of determining whether he will successfully find the culprit. Its seeming connection with Minnal Murali also adds to the climax of the film. The film stars Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siju Wilson, Kottayam Nazeer, Seema G Nair, Ameen, Nihal Nizam, Nibraz Noushad, Shahubas, and Roni David Raj. It is written and directed by Indraneel Gopalakrishnan and Rahul G, and is produced by Sophia Paul under the banners of Phars Film and AP International.
Mint
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Detective Ujjwalan OTT Release: When and where to watch Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siju Wilson's mystery drama
Following a decent run at the box office since its theatrical release on May 23, 2025, Detective Ujjwalan, featuring Dhyan Sreenivasan, has had fans eagerly awaiting its digital premiere. Now, the latest reports indicate that the film might soon make its way to Netflix, although an official release date is yet to be announced. According to industry sources and a recent social media update by AB George, Netflix has reportedly acquired the streaming rights. This development has taken many by surprise, as the platform has not actively backed Malayalam films in recent times. So what drew them to Detective Ujjwalan? The answer may lie in the film's ties to Minnal Murali, the popular Tovino Thomas superhero film. Detective Ujjwalan exists within the same fictional world — the Weekend Cinematic Universe — and is set in the neighbouring village of Plaachikkaavu. This shared universe element is believed to have played a key role in catching Netflix's attention. Meanwhile, there are also reports that ZEE Network has bagged the satellite television rights for the film. Directed by Indraneel Gopeekrishnan and Rahul G, Detective Ujjwalan follows the story of an eccentric village detective who handles petty crimes — until his quiet town is rocked by a series of unsettling murders.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Detective Ujjwalan' OTT release: Dhyan Sreenivasan starrer to stream on THIS platform
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) After a decent theatrical run since its release on May 23, 2025, 'Detective Ujjwalan', starring Dhyan Sreenivasan , has kept fans guessing about its digital debut. Now, reports suggest that the wait might be over soon. The film is reportedly heading to Netflix for its OTT release — though no official date has been confirmed yet. According to film industry buzz, including a social media post by AB George, Netflix is believed to have picked up the digital rights. This move comes as a surprise to many, as the streaming giant hasn't often backed Malayalam films in recent months. So why Detective Ujjwalan? The 'Minnal Murali' connection Industry insiders speculate that the decision is largely due to the film's ties with Minnal Murali, the Tovino Thomas superhero hit. Detective Ujjwalan is set in the same cinematic universe — known as the Weekend Cinematic Universe — and takes place in the neighboring village of Plaachikkaavu. That shared universe connection may have been key in attracting Netflix's interest. On the TV front, there's also chatter that ZEE Network has acquired the satellite rights. What the film Is about and ETimes verdict Directed by Indraneel Gopeekrishnan and Rahul G, Detective Ujjwalan follows a quirky local detective navigating through minor village crimes — until a chilling series of murders shakes up his sleepy hometown. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo ETimes gave the Dhyan Sreenivasan starrer a rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 and our official review reads, "There are some rules that a detective story needs to make it work and for the effect to stay with us. Some red herrings that will confuse the audience so that we are emotionally and intellectually caught up in the story, a detective who uses logic that will baffle us with its brilliance and a final revelation of the culprit that will shock us. Detective Ujjwalan does not use any of these devices in a forceful enough manner. The period settings are interesting and the village characters are loveable enough, though some of the superb comic talents from social media, Ameen, Nihal Nizam, Nibraz and Shahubas, are barely utilised. The film seems to go in the direction of most Dhyan films; a bit of an anti-climax."
Pink Villa
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Detective Ujjwalan on OTT: Is Dhyan Sreenivasan starrer coming to Netflix for sharing same universe with Minnal Murali?
Detective Ujjwalan, starring Dhyan Sreenivasan in the lead role, hit the big screens on May 23, 2025. Following the theatrical run, the movie was in limbo regarding its streaming update. Now, it seems that might change soon. Detective Ujjwalan on OTT According to several reports, including a buzz shared by AB George, the film is set to make its digital debut on the OTT platform Netflix. However, it seems that the movie is taken up by the digital streaming giant only due to its connection to Minnal Murali. As per the ongoing rumors, Netflix, which is usually reluctant to take up Malayalam movies for streaming, has decided to buy the rights for Dhyan Sreenivasan starrer. This is speculated due to the movie sharing the same cinematic universe as the Tovino Thomas starrer. While it is also being speculated that ZEE Network has bought the television rights for the film, an official confirmation about its digital and tv debut are yet to be made. About Detective Ujjwalan Detective Ujjwalan features the story of Ujjwalan, a local detective from the fictional village of Plaachikkaavu. While the village is usually known for minor crimes, it all takes a turn when a mysterious figure emerges with a deadly series of crimes. Now, Ujjwalan is faced with his ultimate challenge, putting a test to see whether he will be able to find the culprit. The movie is the second installment in the Weekend Cinematic Universe, taking place in a nearby village as Minnal Murali's Kurukkanmoola. Apart from Dhyan, the movie features an ensemble cast of actors like Siju Wilson, Kottayam Nazeer, Seema G. Nair, Ameen, Nihal Nizam, Nibraz Noushad, Shahubas, Rony David Raj, and many more in key roles. Coming to Dhyan Sreenivasan's work front, the actor is next set to appear in the movie Bha. Bha. Ba. (short for Bhayam, Bhakthi, Bahumanam), co-starring with his brother Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dileep. Watch the teaser of Bha Bha Ba The upcoming film is a Malayalam-language action comedy helmed by Dhananjay Shankar in his directorial debut. Aside from the lead actors, the film features Balu Varghese, Sandy, Baiju Santhosh, and Saranya Ponvannan in supporting roles, with Mohanlal expected to make a cameo.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Detective Ujjwalan movie review: A Scooby-Doo-esque tale weighed down by mediocre writing and Dhyan Sreenivasan
Detective Ujjwalan movie review: To be honest, makers should, at the very least, now realise that cinematic universes and serial killers no longer automatically pique audience interest. The simple reason is their overuse. It has become almost impossible to walk into a big-ticket or whodunit film without fearing that it's either the first installment of yet another franchise or centred around a serial killer. In debutant directors Indraneel Gopeekrishnan and Rahul G's Detective Ujjwalan, both these elements are at play. Not only is it part of the Weekend Cinematic Universe (WCU), which began with Minnal Murali (2021) and is named after the production company Weekend Blockbusters, but it also revolves around a serial killer on the prowl, targeting those walking alone at night in the fictional village of Plaachikkaavu. A model village that, according to local SI Sachin (Rony David Raj), stands as a 'symbol of goodness and happiness', with a very low crime rate, the only offences that happen in Plaachikkaavu are usually petty thefts by the local thief Anthikkurudan (Nihal Nizam). Hence, when one of the village's just over 200 residents is brutally murdered, the community is left beyond shattered. With no idea how to handle such a serious case, Sachin and his team turn to the local self-styled Sherlock Holmes, Ujjwalan (Dhyan Sreenivasan), the cops' go-to guy for solving minor cases. Armed with half-baked theories, Ujjwalan identifies a suspect and throws him behind bars. However, that crime was only the beginning. More murders follow, sending a chill down the villagers' spines. Soon, Ujjwalan deduces that a serial killer could be behind all the crimes, given the similarities in the modus operandi. As the case gains attention, the department sends in CI Shambu Mahadev (Siju Wilson), along with his assistants Kunchacko and Boban (Nibraz Noushad and Shahubas), to fast-track the investigation. Despite Shambu being a sharp officer, the killer remains elusive. After a rocky start between the two, Ujjwalan launches a parallel probe of his own. Meanwhile, the murderer, whom Shambu has named 'Boogeyman', continues to roam free, on the lookout for his next victim. Will he be caught? Although Detective Ujjwalan had the potential to become something like an episode from the beloved Scooby-Doo cartoons, the film is weighed down by its confusion over whether it wants to be a quirky tale or a full-blown whodunit. As it tries to balance both, what we end up with is a movie that only half-heartedly delivers on either front. One of the key reasons the quirkiness doesn't land well is that it's limited to just a few characters like Ujjwalan, his friend Korea Kurian (Ameen), Anthikkurudan, and Sachin. Had the story been solely about these people, it might have worked better. However, since the movie revolves around the entire Plaachikkaavu, the absence of similarly eccentric traits in other characters restricts the overall whimsical tone. As a result, characters like Ujjwalan and Kurian come across more as isolated goofballs than part of a cohesive quirky world. Also, visually and tonally, certain moments and shots un/knowingly evoke strong déjà vu of Basil Joseph's Kunjiramayanam (2015), and this affects Detective Ujjwalan badly as it only highlights how the film falls short in both humour and charm. While Kunjiramayanam's Desham village was filled with kooky people, as if that's the character of the land as a whole, keeping viewers hooked to the events unfolding there, Detective Ujjwalan stumbles by failing to establish a similarly engaging setting or community. On the crime thriller front, the film suffers from a complete lack of originality and high predictability. This is evident even in the handling of the actual culprit; the way he's framed in earlier scenes — particularly when shown among crowds — which gives away quite a bit before the final reveal. Once the movie steps into its core plot, writer-directors Indraneel and Rahul nest at the middling level, never rising above even once. Even though the film draws from the mythical monster of Kokkachi (also known as Anchakkallakokkan in some parts of Kerala and as the Boogeyman in English, used by elders to scare children into behaving well), Detective Ujjwalan fails to integrate this well into its narrative. The aforementioned confusion becomes glaringly obvious here too. By giving the serial killer(s) a generic and hackneyed backstory, the film completes its descent into mediocrity. Although their writing falters, Indraneel and Rahul's filmmaking shines in many places, particularly in setting the atmosphere and the tense moments featuring the Boogeyman. The killer's pursuit of certain victims and how the murders are portrayed, without excessive gore, also highlight their skill. Though we see intriguing props (books, movie posters, etc) scattered across Ujjwalan's room and the village, the directors wisely avoid overusing them to establish a specific time period, maintaining the fictional tone they've adopted in an even manner throughout. Dhyan Sreenivasan in the titular role might be the costliest choice the directors made and, unfortunately, the price they've paid is the complete absence of Ujjwalan in the film. Not once do we truly see Ujjwalan on screen. Instead, we get Dhyan himself — minus his usual promotional interview shenanigans — who never manages to get into the character. While it's evident that Ujjwalan had enough material, at least on paper, to be a unique and intriguing character, Dhyan's portrayal strips it of any such potential. He simply walks through the film as himself, with the only added layer being a Sethurama Iyer–esque vibhuti mark on his forehead. Siju Wilson, on the other hand, shines as Shambu, delivering a measured portrayal. He is particularly impressive during the climactic fight and, to some extent, compensates for Dhyan's lacklustre performance. Rony David Raj also impresses in the comedic scenes, though he falters in the emotional moments; fortunately, those are few and far between. Kottayam Nazeer and Seema G Nair, playing Ujjwalan's parents, are spectacular in their respective roles. Nihal Nizam as Anthikkurudan is a delight to watch, bringing genuine charm to the screen. Ameen, however, fails to leave a lasting impression, largely due to the way the character has been crafted, relying overtly on his social media persona and (unfunny) dialogues that seem tailored to it. On the technical front, Chaman Chakko's editing is one of Detective Ujjwalan's saving graces. Playing with the frames, particularly their pace, cuts and even aspect ratio, he gives the movie a uniqueness that many in the cast and crew couldn't. Rzee's music complements these efforts, though not always seamlessly. Prem Akkattu and Sraiyanti deliver commendable work in cinematography, particularly in scenes featuring the killer. Koyaz M's art direction, Nisar Rahmath's costume design and Shaji Pulpally's makeup also deserve praise for elevating the film's visual texture. Detective Ujjwalan movie cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siju Wilson, Rony David Raj, Kottayam Nazeer, Seema G Nair Detective Ujjwalan movie director: Indraneel Gopeekrishnan, Rahul G Detective Ujjwalan movie rating: 2 stars Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
