Pet Detective, directed by Praneesh Vijayan and starring Sharaf U Dheen and Anupama Parameswaran, is an eccentric comedy that mixes detective antics with slapstick humour. While it begins with a quirky premise and energetic performances, the film’s uneven writing and chaotic structure prevent it from being a laugh riot. However, its final act and lead performances make it a mildly entertaining watch for those seeking a lighthearted weekend movie.
The Story: A Detective in a World of Chaos
Tony Jose Alula (Sharaf U Dheen) inherits his father’s failing detective agency, but business is far from booming. When he successfully tracks down a missing pet dog, Tony’s luck changes — briefly. Soon, he is pulled into a web of smugglers, gangsters, and a missing exotic fish worth crores. Alongside his assistant Sanoop and girlfriend Kaikeyi (Anupama Parameswaran), Tony’s attempts to prove himself as a worthy detective lead to a string of misadventures that are equal parts hilarious and absurd.
The film opens with a promising setup — quirky characters, a detective with daddy issues, and a mystery that feels like it could spiral into delightful madness. Unfortunately, the script gets tangled in too many subplots, leaving the core detective story feeling secondary.
Performances: Sharaf U Dheen Shines in His Zone
Sharaf U Dheen effortlessly carries the film with his comic timing and physical humour. His interactions with Joemon Jyothir are genuinely funny and give the movie much of its charm. Anupama Parameswaran, as Kaikeyi, is energetic and spontaneous, though her role lacks depth. Vinay Forrt adds flair as the rival cop, even if his character feels underutilized. The supporting cast — including Vijayaraghavan, Vinayakan, and Renji Panicker — bring colour to the chaos, though many of them appear too briefly to leave a lasting impression.
Technical Aspects and Presentation
The movie benefits from slick visuals and upbeat music that enhance its playful tone. Anend C Chandran’s cinematography adds vibrancy, while Rajesh Murugesan’s background score helps maintain a lively rhythm. However, the editing sometimes feels abrupt, affecting the overall flow of the story.
The Humor and Writing: Funny, but Not Consistently
Pet Detective is full of eccentric characters and silly scenarios — from smugglers to fake cops to bizarre villains — but the humour often lands unevenly. Some gags, especially in the pre-interval and final sequences, are laugh-out-loud funny. Yet, other portions drag or rely too much on randomness.
The film works best when it embraces its absurdity. The final act, a blend of action and farce, captures the spirit the film was striving for all along.
Verdict: A Fun One-Time Watch
Pet Detective is a visually engaging, occasionally hilarious comedy that doesn’t quite live up to its potential. It tries to balance eccentric humour with detective drama but ends up juggling too many threads. Still, for fans of Sharaf U Dheen’s comic flair and those who enjoy light, quirky Malayalam comedies, it’s a pleasant diversion that delivers enough laughs to make it worth a single viewing.
Bullseye Rating:★★★ (3/5 stars)
Pet Detective is currently in cinemas.
