In Riyas Shereef’s “Thundu,” numerous flaws contribute to its overall disappointment, but certain aspects stand out prominently. One glaring issue lies in the scene transitions, which often lack coherence. A particularly jarring example is the abrupt shift from a somber, philosophical song featuring a melancholic policeman to a lively party scene where the same characters suddenly engage in spirited dancing, devoid of any logical connection or narrative progression.
In some instances, scenes abruptly transition, even the background score abruptly halts and shifts to the next cue. Speaking of guiding background cues, there’s an abundance of such hints, nudging us towards the intended emotion in each scene. Without these guiding musical cues, identifying some supposedly humorous tracks in this movie might be challenging. Perhaps the creators should have also contemplated incorporating canned laughter, akin to certain television shows, as the audience seemed to struggle to find the humor.
“Thundu” rests upon a flimsy premise: a policeman mimicking his son’s approach by resorting to cheating in a promotion exam. Constable Baby (played by Biju Menon), a veteran in the police force, aspires to climb the ranks to evade mistreatment from certain superiors. However, his plans backfire, leading him into a series of comedic misadventures, ranging from road mishaps to the comical scenario of a police dog’s suspected pregnancy.
Thundu falls short of captivating audiences despite its attempt to infuse humor through a mishmash of ideas. The storyline struggles to progress, weighed down by a lack of character development. Shine Tom Chacko and Unnimaya Prasad, despite their talent, find themselves constrained by repetitive roles that offer little room for growth. An eleventh-hour effort to flesh out Constable Baby’s background falls flat, failing to salvage the film’s narrative shortcomings. Most actors seem disengaged, underserved by a script that fails to challenge their abilities.
Throughout its approximately 120-minute duration, the film consistently lacks excitement, leaving viewers feeling as though the time is stretched thin. While it presents some inventive methods of cheating in exams using creatively concealed bits of paper, “Thundu” ultimately falls short of delivering any fresh perspectives or engaging elements. If only there were shortcuts akin to the cheating methods depicted in the film that could inject some much-needed intrigue into its narrative.
