Salute ( Malayalam) - Movie Review

Salute, a movie by Rosshan Andrews is a slow burn investigative thriller that stars Dulquer Salman in the role of a fiery independent policeman who upholds truth and justice even more than his own idolized relationships. It's a realistically portrayed police procedural, where Dulquer's character Aravind Karunakaran is trying to piece together the clues that could lead him to the right culprit in a murder case, that was handled by him and his team, including his superior DYSP Ajith Karunakaran (Manoj K Jayan) who happens to be his elder brother. 

Crime thrillers, where the protagonists are still troubled by the unsolved crimes makes for excellent fodder for narratives where on one hand, we are dealing with the actual investigation and we are also privy to the mental tsunamis that the protagonists are going through. This one's on similar lines and veteran director Rosshan Andrews doesn't deviate from the meat of the matter, delving deep into Aravind's troubled psyche, where he's choosing to do the 'right' thing and find the actual culprit of the crime. The criminal in question? An elusive shadowy murderer who has killed this prominent local business man and his wife. Due to political pressure, his elder brother's DYSP Ajith Karunakaran is on a mission to close out the case as soon as possible. Going to to extent of pinning the murder on the ‘available’ suspect by even planting evidence to corroborate this story.  Aravind still wants to hold on to his ideals and doesn’t see eye to eye with this whole proceedings, determined to find the right culprit. And so he goes on a long leave.  

The story narrative interweaves between these two timelines, the present when he is back and determined to finish this ‘unsolved’ case and his past, his altercations with his elder brother and the police team who are pinning this crime on an innocent man. Dulquer plays the role of the fiery idealist with understated elegance, this isn’t a flashy cop story. It remains true, to the often turgid pace of investigations and frustrating stone-walls that the police come up against. Dulquer balances his angst, his frustration with his determination to clear up his own anguished conscience. His elegant portrayal in this cop-drama is sans flamboyance, restrained and absolutely mesmerising. He’s an actor who is maturing with every role he is thoughtfully choosing to pick up and portray. 

Director Andrews keeps the pace languid, but the realistic investigation with multiple clues, interviews and interesting twists in the narrative will keep you glued. The denouement when it arrives late, is satisfactory, all loose ends tied up well enough. Apart from Dulquer, Manoj K Jayan  another veteran, plays the role of the senior policeman and elder brother with his natural consummate ease. Diana Penty, and several other actresses have precious little to offer to the storyline’s and remain in the sidelines. This one’s a Dulquer Salman show all the way and a fascinating, slow burn of a police procedural that remains a compelling watch all throughout. Recommended!