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Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (2016)

2016 • 1h 46m • Action, Thriller • Not Rated
On October 4, 2026
#103299
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Reno on Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru

9/10 · Apr 14, 2017

The film is full of unexpected developments and maintains a strong sense of suspense throughout. It seems like those who have been critical of mainstream movies, especially those made outside of India, are in for a pleasant surprise lately. The gap between traditional and independent cinema has been shrinking steadily, and it’s encouraging to see this trend across all Indian film industries, not just Tamil cinema. I feel the quality of Tamil films has reached an international standard, so much so that I believe this particular movie could be successfully remade in other countries. If you're curious about what the film is like, don’t expect a complicated puzzle. It’s a straightforward mystery, but the plot and characters keep moving forward relentlessly until the very end. True to its title, sixteen new characters are introduced early on, leaving little room for the viewer to pause and consider anything, making predictions extremely difficult. Some of the twists felt familiar, which I think was intentional—a way to distract viewers from anticipating what's coming next. At one point, I thought I’d spotted a significant flaw in the story, but as it unfolded, I realized my assumption was completely wrong. The film centers on a retired police officer who lost a leg due to an incident and recounts his final days on the job alongside a young aspiring IPS officer. Five years prior, a double murder occurred in the same neighborhood, prompting an investigation that initially focuses on three suspected young men. However, examining the event from a different perspective introduces further complications. Despite piecing together all the evidence, investigators only develop various theories but never uncover the truth—until the final moments, when it’s revealed in a clever way. > ❝Karma is a boomerang. However far you may hurl it... It will bounce back to us.❞ Once the credits roll, you'll realize that what seemed like a linear story was actually presented through a nonlinear narrative. The way different characters appear at various points in the film is particularly well-executed. It’s worthwhile to review everything you saw to ensure you fully understood it; some viewers even choose to watch it twice, and I think that’s an excellent idea. However, don't feel pressured to solve it if you pay close attention from the beginning—it isn’t a brainteaser. As one of the shorter Indian films, the pace is incredibly fast, covering every detail efficiently. The entire movie takes place as a flashback, which explains why only essential elements are included. However, viewers can interpret the story in different ways depending on their perspective; some people tend to take sides when there’s conflict. In this film, it's more of a guessing game surrounding the deaths. Most characters appear briefly, adding to the overall sense of mystery. What stands out most is that there are no lies told by any character to evade justice. The narration simply withholds certain details, which makes cracking the case so challenging. Anyone who provides false information doesn’t reappear in the story, serving as a significant clue for viewers trying to figure things out. The film's strength lies in its writing and direction. We see well-crafted scripts like this coming from Hollywood, French cinema, and Korean films, but often the execution falls short. This film succeeds on all fronts—casting, performances, locations, technical aspects—and it’s remarkable how much quality was achieved with a limited budget. This is the director's first feature film, making a bold statement about his arrival in the industry. Mainstream commercial cinema can be restrictive with its reliance on big stars, so I hope he continues to work within independent filmmaking circles. Ultimately, this film is highly recommended for fans of neo-mystery thrillers and serves as an excellent introduction to Indian cinema for those who haven’t experienced it yet. I strongly suggest it to everyone. _9/10_

Source on TMDB