Language : Malayalam
Release date: 7 April 2023
Starring: Shane Nigam, Shine Tom, Lal Jr, Siddique, Gayathrie
Directed by: Priyadarsan
Produced by: Four frames
Music by: MR Rajakrishnan
Cinematography : Divakar Mani
Edited by :Ayyappan nair
Corona Papers is a 2023 Malayalam drama helmed by Vetran director Priyadarshan. The film stars actor Shane Nigam and Shine Tom Chacko in lead role.
Billed as an action action thriller, Nna Thaan Case Kodu fame Gayaythri Shankar who appears in female lead role. Apart from Shane Nigam ,actors Siddique, Sandhya Shetty, PP Kunhikrishnan, Maniyan pilla Raju, Jean Paul Lal, Sree Dhanya, Vijileesh, Biju Pappan, Sreekanth will be seen in supporting roles.
What works
An honest Police Sub Inspector misplaces his gun, which was loaded with eight bullets. What happens next, who obtains the gun, and whose lives are in danger? Corona documents is concerned with how a theft case evolves into a more serious and intensive criminal case. Yes, the film is an adaptation of the Tamil film 8 Thottakkal, and it is similar to Akira Kurosawa’s iconic picture Stray Dog. In truth, filmmaker Priyadarshan made many alterations to the script, and it is also told in an interesting manner. The tremendous tension drama works in the film’s favor.
Shane Nigam plays the spineless cop, someone who joins the Police Department, not because of passion but due to compulsion. His acting might be looked at two perspectives in large, some might feel he did not emote much while some would say, he has underplayed his role beautifully and has done just what his role demanded. But the show stealer of Corona papers will be Siddique. He is someone who has proved his mettle in so many films. He has acted in such a vast variety of characters but not one film in the recent past has challenged him like this. Siddique’s shoulders the film right from the moment he enters the play. In fact the story takes place only after his arrival. Similarly Shine Tom and Lal Jr are a good value addition to the script and we know what they are is capable of. The supporting actors also do a good job.
Divakar maniβs cinematography works in hand with the directorβs vision and Brilliantly captured Ernakulam out skirts.
What doesn’t work
Corona Papers has been introduced with many changes considering original film 8 Thottakkal, but when it is presented with the central character Siddique, it becomes strong, and when it is moved from Siddique, the film flutters aimlessly like a broken kite. The film does not touch on the goals of the character played by Siddique, and the purpose that is evident only in the twists and turns of the climax interacts with the audience very late. An important cameo appearance felt tacked on to the film. If Gayathrie seems miscast, it is mainly because of the dubbing mistakes. If you want to know the horror of that, you have to look at Sandhya Shetty. When the character and the dubbing went in two directions, the audience, who watched the foreign dubbing movie, felt it.
The film drags a bit and that is where one feels the editor could have been a little sturdier and chopped off few scenes.
Bottomline
A thriller lies between the point good and above average!!
