Detective Ujjwalan
| Detective Ujjwalan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Release Poster | |
| Directed by | Indraneel Gopalakrishnan Rahul G |
| Written by | Indraneel Gopalakrishnan Rahul G |
| Produced by | Sophia Paul |
| Starring | Dhyan Sreenivasan Siju Wilson Rony David Raj |
| Cinematography | Premkrishna Akkattu Sraiyanti Harichandran |
| Edited by | Chaman Chakko |
| Music by | Rzee |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Phars Film AP International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Box office | 2.47 crore[2] |
Detective Ujjwalan is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language mystery comedy film written and directed by Rahul G. and Indraneel Gopeekrishnan. The film stars Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siju Wilson and Rony David Raj in lead roles. It is produced by Sophia Paul under the Weekend Blockbusters banner and it the second installment on Weekend Cinematic Universe[3] after Minnal Murali.
The film was officially announced on 3 September 2024 with its title teaser.[4] Principal photography commenced on 17 November 2024 and was shot across various locations in Palakkad district, including Kollengode, Nenmara, Shoranur, and Pattambi. The film's songs and original score were composed by Rzee. Filming concluded in December 2024, and the film was released on 23 May 2025.
Cast
[edit]- Dhyan Sreenivasan as Ujjwalan
- Siju Wilson as Shambhu Mahadev
- Kottayam Nazeer as Narayanakutti
- Seema G. Nair as Leela
- Ameen as Korea Kurian
- Nihal Nizam as Anthikkurudan
- Nibraz Noushad as Kunchacko
- Shahubas as Boban
- Rony David Raj as SI Sachin
Production
[edit]Casting
[edit]Dhyan Sreenivasan was cast in the lead role. The film also stars Siju Wilson, Kottayam Nazeer, Seema G. Nair, Rony David Raj in the supporting roles.
Filming
[edit]Principal photography for Detective Ujjwalan commenced on 17 November 2024, in Kerala.[5] The production began with a traditional pooja ceremony, marking the official start of filming.[6]
The shooting took place across various locations in Palakkad district, including Kollengode, Nenmara, Shoranur, and Pattambi . These settings provided the backdrop for the film's fictional village of Plaachikkaavu, where the story unfolds.[7] Filming concluded in December 2024.[8]
Soundtrack
[edit]The original background score and songs were composed by Rzee. The team announced that the music rights were bagged by Saregama.
| Detective Ujjwalan | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Rzee | |
| Released | 2025 |
| Genre | Filmi |
| Length | 5m 54s |
| Label | Saregama |
Track listing
[edit]Controversy
[edit]In September 2024, the court addressed that Detective Ujjwalan is citing copyrights. This action was based on a complaint filed by Arun Anirudhan and Justin Mathew, writers of Minnal Murali. Although the film is based on Minnal Murali Universe (Weekend Cinematic Universe - WCU),the complaint was based on the teaser, which was released on 3 September 2024, had references of the Characters and places inspired from Minnal Murali.[10]
Release
[edit]Detective Ujjwalan was released theatrically on 23 May 2025. Earlier it was scheduled to release on 16 May 2025 but was postponed by a week.
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]Detective Ujjwalan received mixed reviews from critics.
- Anna Mathews of *The Times of India* rated the film 2.5 out of 5, noting that while Dhyan Sreenivasan's comic charm was evident, the thriller elements were insufficient to sustain the narrative.[11]
- Anandu Suresh of *The Indian Express* criticized the film for its lack of originality and predictability, stating that the writing faltered despite some effective atmospheric elements.[12]
- Conversely, Gayathri Krishna of *OTTplay* offered a more positive perspective, awarding the film 4 out of 5 stars and describing it as an entertaining investigative thriller with a humorous spin.[13]
Box office
[edit]The film had a moderate opening at the box office. On its first day, *Detective Ujjwalan* earned approximately ₹69 lakhs net in India.[14] The second day saw a slight increase, with collections reaching ₹78 lakhs, bringing the two-day total to ₹1.47 crore.[15] On the third day, early estimates indicated earnings of ₹1 crore, bringing the opening weekend total to approximately ₹2.47 crore.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Dhyan Sreenivasan Starrer Detective Ujjwalan Release Date Pushed". Filmfare. 6 May 2025.
- ^ "Detective Ujjwalan Box Office Collection Day 3 Worldwide Total". Box Office Index. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "After Minnal Murali and Detective Ujjwalan, zombie movie Jambi joins the Weekend Cinematic Universe". Mathrubhumi. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ Detective Ujjwalan - Title Teaser. Weekend Blockbusters. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Dhyan Sreenivasan's Detective Ujjwalan begins filming in Kerala". News Minimalist.
- ^ "Dhyan Sreenivasan's 'Detective Ujjwalan' goes on floors". The New Indian Express. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ G, Rahul; GK, Indraneel (23 May 2025), Detective Ujjwalan (Mystery), Dhyan Sreenivasan, Ameen, Nihal Nizam, Weekend Blockbusters, retrieved 21 May 2025
- ^ Santhosh, Vivek (23 December 2024). "It's a wrap for Dhyan Sreenivasan's Detective Ujjwalan". Cinema Express. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ മൊത്തം കളർഫുൾ; ധ്യാൻ ശ്രീനിവാസന്റെ ഡിക്ടറ്റീവ് ഉജ്ജ്വലനിലെ ആദ്യ ഗാനം 'നെപ്ട്യൂൺ' പുറത്തിറങ്ങി. 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Court restricts Minnal Murali Universe: Major setback for Dhyan's 'Detective Ujjwalan'". english.mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Detective Ujjwalan Movie Review: A thriller that cannot sustain on Dhyan's charm". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "Detective Ujjwalan movie review: A Scooby-Doo-esque tale weighed down by mediocre writing". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "Detective Ujjwalan review: This Dhyan Sreenivasan film is the perfect addition to the intricately crafted cinematic universe". OTTplay. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "Detective Ujjwalan Box Office Collections Day 1: Dhyan Sreenivasan's crime-comedy opens with Rs 69 lakhs in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "Detective Ujjwalan Box Office Collection Day 2: Dhyan Sreenivasan's Crime Thriller Shows A Slight Jump On Saturday". Koimoi. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "Detective Ujjwalan Box Office Collection Day 3 Worldwide Total". Box Office Index. Retrieved 25 May 2025.