Cinema VinesShahi Kabir, known for realistic police dramas such as Officer on Duty and Ronth, has taken a bold turn with his latest film, Unmadham. The story opens with Kunchacko Boban as Shelly, a police officer who leaves his job to chase a dream of becoming a filmmaker. The decision strains his relationship with his wife Soumya, played by Lijomol Jose, who must shoulder the family’s financial uncertainty while supporting her husband’s unconventional ambition. This early segment carries an autobiographical tone, reflecting Kabir’s own transition from police officer to filmmaker.
After a brief return to duty, Shelly is transferred to a police station that houses a mysterious case file. The file is rumored to be cursed, and even seasoned officers refuse to touch it. Kabir’s screenplay weaves this supernatural element into the procedural world, creating a psychological thriller that balances eerie tension with grounded realism. The film’s premise—a cursed case file that haunts a police station—provides a unique backdrop for exploring fear, superstition, and the human mind.
Director Kiran Das brings Kabir’s vision to life, blending the familiar setting of law enforcement with unsettling supernatural twists. While the film succeeds in drawing viewers into its eerie atmosphere, critics note that the narrative loses some of its grip as it approaches the climax. The story’s final revelations explain the motives of both protagonist and antagonist, but the emotional payoff feels less compelling than the premise suggests.
Despite this shortfall, Unmadham delivers a convincing mix of psychological unease and procedural realism. Kabir’s shift from realistic crime dramas to a supernatural thriller is risky, yet the film largely maintains its credibility by grounding the supernatural elements in the everyday life of police officers. The result is a film that keeps audiences invested for most of its runtime, even if it struggles to sustain that intrigue in the final stretch.
