Abraham Ozler | |
---|---|
Directed by | Midhun Manuel Thomas |
Written by | Randheer Krishnan |
Produced by |
|
Starring | Jayaram Anoop Menon Anaswara Rajan Arjun Ashokan Jagadish |
Cinematography | Theni Eswar |
Edited by | Shameer Muhammed |
Music by | Midhun Mukundan |
Production companies | Nerambokku Manual Movie Makers |
Distributed by | Ann Mega Media |
Release date |
|
Running time | 144 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Box office | est.₹6 crores[1] |
Abraham Ozler is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language psychological medical crime thriller film co-produced and directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas and written by Dr. Randheer Krishnan.[2][3][4] The film stars Jayaram in the title role along with the supporting cast including Anaswara Rajan, Arjun Ashokan, Senthil Krishna, Arya Salim, Anoop Menon, Jagadish, and Dileesh Pothan.[5]
The film was officially announced in May 2023 and principal photography commenced in the same month in Mission Quarters and wrapped up in mid-November. The music was composed by Midhun Mukundan while the cinematography was handled by Theni Eswar.
The film was initially set to be released on 25 December 2023, but the release date was postponed to 11 January 2024. The film received generally mixed reviews, praising performances of Jayaram, and Midhun's original score, but received criticism on direction and screenplay.[6][7][8]
Plot
ACP Abraham Ozler finds his life shattered when a fake police call lures him away, leading to the kidnapping and brutal murder of his wife and daughter by Vineeth, seeking revenge for a previous arrest related to narcotics. Ozler, plunged into despair, struggles to find closure.
Three years later, Ozler, haunted by hallucinations and insomnia, investigates a series of murders with his subordinates SI Sijo and SI Divya. The killer duo, one driving a pickup truck and the other posing as a surgeon, leaves cryptic notes at the crime scenes. As the team unravels the connections, they discover Krishnandas, a man using an artificial larynx, as a key suspect. His tragic backstory unfolds—once a child prodigy, Krishnandas lost his voice in a failed surgery, leading Ozler to connect him with the victims.
Delving into the past, Ozler discovers a shared history among the victims' parents: Shivakumar, Selvaraj, Xavi, and Alexander were Surgical MD students at Kozhikode Medical College in 1989. Professional jealousy and personal vendettas fueled by a failed surgery orchestrated by Xavi led to a chain of events resulting in Krishnadas losing his voice. The intricate revenge plan involved an accident cover-up, drug pumping, and false accusations.
The motive behind the murders becomes clear – Alex seeks revenge on those who ruined his life and became a reason for his girlfriend Suja's death. His plan unfolds with the help of Krishnandas, who shares a similar fate due to the conspirators. The police intervene, leading to the capture of Krishnandas, but the real mastermind, Alexander, remains elusive until the end.
As the truth surfaces, Alexander is arrested, and it seems the case has reached its conclusion. However, a surprising turn occurs at Xavi's book-signing event. He collapses and dies, revealing that Alexander had poisoned him intentionally, ensuring his story would be exposed.
In the aftermath, Ozler, on his routine visit to Vineeth in jail, unexpectedly encounters Alexander, now a fellow inmate. Alexander cryptically utters "Bone Residue," hinting at an unresolved truth about Ozler's family. Ozler confronts Vineeth, realizing there's no bone residue on the weapon used in the murders. This revelation challenges the assumption that Vineeth killed Ozler's family, setting the stage for a sequel as Vineeth challenges Ozler to dig deeper for the truth.
Cast
- Jayaram as ACP. Abraham Ozler IPS
- Anaswara Rajan as Suja Jayadev
- Arjun Ashokan as Vineeth Ram, a prisoner
- Anoop Menon as Dr. Satheesh Madhavan
- Saiju Kurup as Krishnadas
- Senthil Krishna as SI Sijo T Venu
- Arya Salim as SI Divya
- Jagadish as Dr. Xavi Punnoose
- Dileesh Pothan as Dr. Alexander Joseph
- Sai Kumar as Counsellor Varghese Uthuppan
- Harikrishnan as Naveen
- Assim Jamal as Commissioner
- Arjun Nandhakumar as Dr. Arun Jayadev, Suja's brother
- Aneesh Gopal as Cop
- Sreeram Ramachandran
- Darshana S Nair as Maya
- Kumarakom Raghunath as Dr.Shivakumar
- Boban Alummoodan as Sreedharan Nambiyar
- Cameo appearances
- Mammootty as Dr. Joseph Alexander [9]
- Anju Kurian as Maneesha
- Benyamin as himself
Production
The project was announced on 19 May 2023.[10] Principal photography began on 20 May 2023 in Mission Quarters in Thrissur.[11] Producer Irshad M. Hassan performed the switch-on ceremony.[12] The first scene was reportedly shot between Jayaram and Sai Kumar.[13] Apart from Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Idukki and Wayanad were the other shooting locations.[12] The filming wrapped up on 14 November 2023.[14]
Release
The film was initially scheduled to release on 25 December 2023, on the occasion of Christmas.[15] The release date was postponed to 11 January 2024.[16]
Reception
Critical response
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praises for Jayaram's performance and Midhun's original score, but received criticism on direction and screenplay.[7][8]
References
- ↑ "Asianet News BO". Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ↑ "Is 'Anjaam Paathira' director Midhun Manuel teaming up with Jayaram for a medical thriller?". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Fans excited to see Jayaram's stylish look in Midhun Manuel's 'Abraham Ozler'". Manorama Online.
- ↑ "Jayaram says he deliberately took a break from Malayalam film industry: 'I have great hope for Abraham Ozler'". The Indian Express.
- ↑ "Actor Jayaram's Salt-and-pepper Look For Malayalam Film Abraham Ozler Viral". News18 India.
- ↑ "തിരിച്ചടികൾക്കൊടുവിൽ 'ജയറാംസ് ഒാൾട്ടർണേറ്റിവ്': ഓസ്ലർ റിവ്യു". www.manoramaonline.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- 1 2 "Abraham Ozler Movie Review: Midhun Manuel's latest thriller with Jayaram offers a decent watch for genre enthusiasts". Pinkvilla.com. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- 1 2 Praveen, S. R. (11 January 2024). "'Abraham Ozler' movie review: A serial killer pursuit that fizzles out soon". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ↑ "Mammootty coming in guest role in Jayaram's Ozler?". Asianet News.
- ↑ "Jayaram teams up with Midhun Manuel Thomas for Abraham Ozler". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ↑ "Jayaram-Midhun Manuel Thomas film Abraham Ozler begins". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- 1 2 "Malayalam Actor Jayaram-starrer Medical Crime-drama Abraham Ozler Goes On Floors". News18. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ↑ Desk, Web (20 May 2023). "അഞ്ചാം പാതിരക്ക് ശേഷം വീണ്ടും ക്രൈം ത്രില്ലറുമായി മിഥുന് മാനുവല്; ജയറാം നായകന്". MediaOne (in Malayalam). Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ↑ "It's a wrap for Jayaram's Abraham Ozler". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ↑ "Jayaram's Abraham Ozler to arrive on Christmas". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ↑ "Jayaram's thriller 'Abraham Ozler's release date changed!". The Times of India. 6 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 November 2023.