Operation Java

Operation Java is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film produced by V Cinemas International, written and directed by Tharun Moorthy (in his feature film debut). It stars an ensemble cast including Balu Varghese, Lukman Avaran, Binu Pappu, Irshad, Shine Tom Chacko, Mamitha Baiju and Vinayakan,Vinod Bose . The story details an investigation undertaken by a cyber cell police station in Kochi. The film released on 12 February 2021 and received positive reviews from critics.

Synopsis
The film is based on real-life cases and portrays investigations undertaken by a cyber cell police station in Cochin over the period of a year and half with the help of two engineering graduates. Cases involve film piracy, job fraud, and murder. Antony George and Vinay Dasan are the two opportunist youths who join the team as temporary employees in the cyber cell and help the team solve cases using their skills. In the end, they end up not permanently hired, in spite of the initial promise. The film explores the darker side of information technology and its users. The film also conveys the struggles of temporary/ intern/ apprentice staff who work hard but don't get proper recognition or financial benefits for their work.

Cast

 * Balu Varghese as Antony George
 * Lukman Avaran as Vinaya Dasan
 * Irshad as SI Prathapan, SHO - Cyber Cell, Kochi Unit
 * Binu Pappu as ASI Joy, Cyber Cell Kochi Unit
 * Prasanth Alexander as Basheer, Senior CPO -Cyber Cell Kochi Unit
 * Shine Tom Chacko as CI Jacob Mani
 * Mamitha Baiju as Alphonsa
 * Mathew Thomas as Jerry
 * Sminu Sijo as Antony's mother
 * Vinayakan as Ramanathan
 * Dhanya Ananya as Janaki, Ramanathan's wife
 * Johny Antony as Baburaj
 * P. Balachandran as Balachandran
 * Anju Mary Thomas as Anjali
 * Unniraj as Akhileshettan
 * Sarath Thenumoola as Vellayyan
 * Vinitha Koshy as Shruthi
 * Rithu Manthra as Kavitha David
 * Dinesh Prabhakar as Johnny, Kavitha's husband
 * Deepak Vijayan as Aneesh
 * Jose Shipyard as Police Officer Peter
 * Sanjay K Nair as Sanjay
 * Vinod Bose as Ravi
 * Parvathy
 * Althaf Salim
 * Akhil as Dany
 * Jaiz as Jaiz
 * Sufi as Aravind
 * Dilshana Dilshad as Maya (Ramanathan's daughter)
 * Sanju as Sanju Techy
 * Shiny Zara as Sanju Techy's mother
 * Anil Kumar
 * Jaise Jose
 * Sunil Meleppuram
 * Manikandan as Driver Baburaj
 * Sreeja Ajith as Jerry's mother
 * Eldho Raju
 * Ramesh Chandran

Production
Tharun Moorthy was a former assistant professor of Computer Science and Engineering in college Of Engineering Kidangoor who turned into an advertisement filmmaker. Operation Java is the feature film directorial debut of Moorthy who also wrote the screenplay. It was screenwriter John Paul Puthusery who invited Moorthy to make a feature film after seeing a short film he scripted. Director Moorthy described the film as an investigative thriller, and it's based on real-life cases that follows an investigation by a team over a period of a year-and-a-half. It takes place in 2015 - 2017 period. The film was produced by V Cinemas International

Principal photography took place at Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Vaikom, and Tamil Nadu. A location in Kakkanad served as the police station. Faiz Siddik was the cinematographer. Filming was wrapped in early March 2020. Dubbing of the film was held at a studio in Kochi in June 2020.

Home Media
The satellite rights and digital rights of the film is acquired by Zee Keralam channel and ZEE5 OTT platform. This film premiered on 15 May through the Television Channel Zee Keralam and through Zee5 OTT platform.

Reception
Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "The film is a beautiful combination of romance and practicality and the cruelty of the establishment."

Music
The original soundtrack is composed, programmed, and arranged by Jakes Bejoy.