Masters (film)

Masters is a 2012 Malayalam-language action crime film directed by Johny Antony from a story written by Jinu. V. Abraham. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and M. Sasikumar in the lead roles while Mukesh, Biju Menon, Pia Bajpai, and Mithra Kurian appear in supporting roles. This film is loosely based on the English film Strangers on a Train.

Masters was released on 30 March 2012 and became a commercial success at the box office. The film marks the debut of M. Sasikumar in Malayalam cinema. It also marks the debut (as a child artist) of Love Today-famed actress Ivana.

Plot
Milan Paul and Sreeramakrishnan alias Sree are best friends who have been together since college. The intensity of their friendship has not faded though the carefree days of college have long past gone. Sree is now an ASP of Kottayam and Milan is a renowned reporter in the same city. Though in different fields and highly responsible jobs, both of them use their friendship to fulfill their respective social responsibilities. Sree is short-tempered and impulsive and usually ends up in some sort of trouble, but is always saved by Milan in the nick of time.

Consequently, Milan has to deal with Sree's enemies, but Sree reciprocates by saving Milan. Things were going well when until a series of suicide murders happened and there is a lack of any apparent reason for the killers to kill the victims, which bewilders the police. In many cases, the killers have not met the victims ever before the incident. It is then revealed that all those who have the crimes have exchanged their enemies and were those who got injustice due to society.

Sree learns that Milan was also with the suicide murderers, and he learns from a suicide killer named Sethunanthan that the last target is a corrupt Advocate Narayanan Thambi. Milan reveals to Sree that Narayanan insulted Milan's mother Mary Paulose, which led to her death. Sree saves Narayanan from Milan by defeating him and consoles him stating that he needs him, but Narayanan kills Milan with Sree's gun and shoots Sree in his chest. Angered, Sree kills Narayanan, thus avenging Milan's death.

Production
The film started its shooting in August 2011 at Kottayam, Kerala. The soundtrack is scored by Gopi Sundar along with lyrics by Shibu Chakravarthi. Masters is produced under the banner of Sincere Cinemas by B. Sarath Chandran and distributed by Seven Arts International.

Reception
Masters received a positive response from critics.

Nowrunning wrote "The film has all the makings of a commercial potboiler that should see it sailing smoothly through the box office seas for a while. Way too superior to the generic thrillers being churned out by the dozen, 'Masters' is a cool chiller for this summer, that delivers its jolt moments with aplomb." Metromatinee rated the film as "watchable" and praised that "the lead actors look refreshingly different and capable of carrying the movie on their shoulders. The story and the dialogues are lively and thrilling at some level, background music is peppy, action scenes are appropriate and the whole package will appeal to the viewers of all ages. On the whole 'Masters' has blended well to make a neat racy entertainer". Theatrebalcony remarked that it is "a good one time watch, if you can just pass out the first half for some good performance, great climax and clever story in the second half. And I should love to tell, this may end up as one of the good police story in the recent times."