Kooman (film)

Kooman is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language mystery thriller film directed by Jeethu Joseph, written by K. R. Krishna Kumar and jointly produced by Listin Stephen and Allwin Antony. The film stars Asif Ali, with Renji Panicker, Jaffar Idukki, Baburaj, Hannah Reji Koshy, and Meghanathan. The plot follows Giri Shankar, a C.P.O. disregarded by his colleagues and looked upon with contempt by his villagers. As he takes revenge for a humiliating incident, his life turns upside down. The original background score and a song were composed by Vishnu Shyam.

Principal photography began in February 2022. Kooman was released in theatres on 4 November 2022 to critical acclaim from critics and audiences. The film was a commercial success at the box office.

Plot
Giri Shankar is a young CPO in his village police station. He is very observant and has expertise in finding clues. As a result, the CI Pillai and SI Sukumaran Nair appreciate his detective skills, which also makes a few constables jealous. He is often annoyed by arrogant villagers who disrespect him.

Pillai scolds Giri for trying to file a drug smuggling case on a young man who told Giri to remember his place as a constable. Pillai then retires from duty and Harilal takes charge as the new CI. He is an egoistic cop who insults Giri for no reason. After being humiliated by CI at the Kaddabi match, Giri was left trampled. Vowing revenge, he sought the help of an old thief named Maniyan. Giri was disgusted as Robbor attempted to rob the money. However, after a few incidents, Harilal and two constables got suspended. Giri's kleptomaniac condition became worse as he attempted to rob and was caught by Ramakrishna. This caused him to escape to Tamil Nadu. The next day, when Giri came to know that Ramakrishna was found dead the same way as the victim, he was found hanging and had personal problems, he realized there was a serial killer. Harilal was suspicious of Giri and believed that he was avoiding or escaping from him because of his activities. Giri confessed to Pillai, who came to know about his situation. Pillai tried to help Giri overcome his disorder by counseling with a psychologist. Although Giri asked Pillai for permission to solve the case in Tamil Nadu, Giri learned from Senthil Kumar that people who died in mysterious circumstances have mysterious letters. Giri stops Harilal from beating Maniyan in jail as Maryan knows that Giri won't expose him. Giri learns the connection between people who commit suicide which leads to a meeting with Acharyan, who explains one of his former students was expelled for reading an illegal book and using illegal black magic. Giri finds out that Karuppu Durai is behind this.

Development
Kooman was announced on 2 February 2022 with a title motion poster poster. Jeethu said it is a thriller.

Filming
The makers started the principal photography on 24 February 2022 with the switch-on ceremony. It took 32 days to complete the shoot. The post-production of the film started in March and Jeethu Joseph himself announced the release date when the promotions for the film were ongoing.

Release
The film was released on 4 November 2022. The official trailer of the film was released on 27 October 2022. The film received positive reviews.

Critical response
S.R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote, The investigative thriller might be director Jeethu Joseph's most comfortable space, but what keeps the interest alive is the main thread related to the vengeful character essayed masterfully by Asif Ali.

Shajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express wrote, Kooman, too, similarly exercises your brain. Considering what happens to Giri's career in the climax, I wish he would appear in the next Drishyam film.

Music
The original background score and songs were composed by Vishnu Shyam.