Corona Papers is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed and produced by Priyadarshan. Its story is inspired from Akira Kurosawa's 1949 film Stray Dog and the Tamil film 8 Thottakkal by Sri Ganesh.[2][3][4] The film is produced by Four Frames Sound Company, with the cinematography by Divakar Mani and music by KP.[5][6] The film received mixed reviews.
| Corona Papers | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Priyadarshan |
| Screenplay by | Priyadarshan |
| Story by | Sri Ganesh |
| Based on | 8 Thottakkal (2017) by Sri Ganesh |
| Produced by | Priyadarshan |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Divakar Mani |
| Edited by | M. S. Aiyappan Nair |
| Music by | KP |
Production company | Four Frames Sound Company |
| Distributed by | Four Frames Release |
Release date |
|
Running time | 153 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Plot
editA rookie cop named Rahul loses his service revolver. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the missing revolver is not just a minor hiccup, but rather the focal point of the entire plot. It is intricately connected to many other significant events, including a significant bank robbery and a series of murders.
As the central piece of the script, the missing service revolver plays a vital role in moving the story forward. Its disappearance creates a sense of urgency and mystery, driving Rahul and his team to investigate and uncover the truth behind its disappearance. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they begin to unravel a web of interconnected crimes, all of which lead back to the missing revolver.
As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that the missing revolver is connected to the murders of several people. With each new development in the case, the missing revolver becomes more and more important, eventually leading to a thrilling conclusion.[7]
Cast
edit- Shane Nigam[8] as SI Rahul Nambiar
- Vineeth Sreenivasan as Musthafa
- Siddique as SI Shankararaman / Govindan Nambiar (Fake)
- Shine Tom Chacko as Kaakka Pappi
- Jean Lal as Tony
- Gayathrie as Veena, A reporter and Rahul's eventual girlfriend
- Maniyanpilla Raju as CI Ayyappan Pillai
- Vijilesh Karayad
- Hannah Reji Koshy as Rani
- Sandhya Shetty as SP Gracy IPS
- Sreedhanya as Shankararaman's Daughter in law
- Geethi Sangeetha
Production
editThe pooja ceremony of the film was held on 27 October 2022.[9] The first look of the film was released on 5 March 2023.[10] The trailer was released 26 March.[11]
Release
editThe film was theatrically released on 6 April 2023.[12] The film was made available for digital streaming on 5 May 2023 on Disney+ Hotstar.[13]
Reception
editBox office
editThe film collected Rs 750,000 at the Kerala box office on its opening day.[14]
Critical response
editThe film was released 6 April 2023 in theatres and received lukewarm reviews. Sajin Shrijith, critic of Cinema Express, gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and stated that "Oddly enough, despite Priyadarshan's interesting modifications to the original story, the film's failure to make one emotionally invested and its inability to find a fittingly logical resolution to all its threads work heavily against it".[15] Anjana George, critic from The Times of India, gave 2.5 out 5 stars and wrote that "Nevertheless, the film fails to engage as the characters lack depth."[16] S. R. Praveen, critic of The Hindu, noted that "Priyadarshan's latest tryst with the thriller genre is an average affair".[17] Swathi P Ajith, critic of Onmanorama, noted that "Corona Papers' is a must-watch for those who are interested in mazy suspense thrillers.[18] Sanjith Sidhardhan, critic for OTTplay, stated that "For a crime thriller, Corona Papers ends up as a rather tedious watch due to its intent-less characters and meandering storytelling" and gave 2 out of 5 stars.[19]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Corona Papers". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ "Corona Papers Review | An Elaborate and Restructured Version of 8 Thottakkal With a Superb Sidhique". 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "Corona Papers Movie Review : An uninspired copy". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ Madhu, Vignesh (30 March 2023). "Corona Papers censored U/A; Release date confirmed". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Priyadarshan-Shane Nigam's 'Corona Papers' trailer out; promises an interesting procedural drama". The Hindu. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ "Corona Papers". The Times of India. 6 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Corona Papers Movie Review : An uninspired copy". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ "Corona Papers trailer: Priyadarshan's film is a perfect combination of action and mind-bending drama". The Indian Express. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Shane Nigam, Shine Tom Chacko team up for Priyadarshan's 'Corona Papers'". OnManorama. 27 October 2022. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "The first-look poster of Corona Papers is here". Cinema Express. 5 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Shane Nigam's Corona Papers trailer is here". Cinema Express. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Priyadarshan's thriller 'Corona Papers' censored with a U/A certificate". The Times of India. 31 March 2023. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Buzz: Priyadarshan's 'Corona Papers' to have a digital release in May". The Times of India. 7 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "'Corona Papers' box office collection: Priyadarshan's thriller gets an average opening at KBO". The Times of India. 7 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ Shrijith, Sajin (6 April 2023). "Corona Papers Movie Review: Slightly improved, but flawed remake". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ George, Anjana (8 April 2023). "Corona Papers Movie Review : An uninspired copy". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ Praveen, S. R. (6 April 2023). "'Corona Papers' movie review: Priyadarshan's latest tryst with the thriller genre is an average affair". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ Ajith, Swathi P (6 April 2023). "'Corona Papers' review: Crime meets suspense in Priyadarshan's thriller saga". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (6 April 2023). "Corona Papers review: Priyadarshan's crime thriller about a missing gun misfires". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.