Mrithyunjay Review: Tight runtime, decent thrills

What’s the story of “Mrithyunjay” all about?

Jay (Sree Vishnu) works in the advertisement department of a newspaper, bringing in obituary ads from the families of the deceased. However, his real ambition is to become a crime reporter.

One day, he comes across the accidental death of Achyuth Sharma (Baladitya), a kind-hearted man who leaves behind a young daughter. The incident arouses Jay’s curiosity and prompts him to look deeper into the case. During his inquiry, he discovers that two similar deaths had taken place at the same temple. To Jay, these incidents do not seem like mere accidents.

Convinced that they might actually be murders, Jay promises the little girl that he will uncover the truth behind her father’s death. He then begins investigating the matter on his own.

Meanwhile, ACP Seetha (Reba Monica John) dismisses the case as an accident due to pressure from her superiors. Jay, however, continues his probe and eventually finds clues pointing to a mysterious person who could be responsible for the deaths.

Jay becomes certain that someone is behind these crimes. But who is the killer, and how will he track him down? The rest of the story follows his search for the truth.

Analysis

“Mrithyunjay” is written and directed by Hussain Shah Kiran, who earlier directed “Meeku Meere Maaku Meme” in 2016. This time, he chooses a completely different genre and sticks firmly to the thriller format. Unlike many films of Sree Vishnu, the film avoids comedy tracks and even skips a romantic subplot. Though Reba Monica John appears as the female lead, there is no love track between her and the protagonist.

The film also maintains a crisp runtime of about 120 minutes, giving it a treatment similar to Hollywood thrillers that strictly follow genre conventions.

The story has slight similarities to the TV series “Obituary” in the opening portions and the Hong Kong film “Accident” in concept. However, Hussain Shah Kiran narrates it in his own style and largely succeeds in making it an engaging watch.

Two aspects work particularly well. The first is the early reveal of the killer in the first half itself. The second is the cat-and-mouse game that unfolds between the hero and the murderer as they try to outsmart each other. The final stretch set around the cemetery stands out as one of the better portions of the film.

As a plot, however, the film suffers from several logical issues. In many episodes, the director appears to have taken cinematic liberties that weaken the believability of certain situations. Despite these flaws, the film manages to keep viewers engaged for most of its duration. Both the director’s narration and Sree Vishnu’s performance keep the audience invested, particularly in the second half.

Sree Vishnu plays the role with restraint, staying away from the comic style he is generally known for. His performance feels sincere and controlled, and he shines particularly in the closing moments. He stays true to the tone of the film and does not have a romantic track either.

Reba Monica John appears as a police officer and performs her role neatly. Nandagopal, who plays the antagonist, fits the part well and delivers a satisfactory performance.

On the technical front, Kaala Bhairava’s background score plays a crucial role in sustaining the suspense. His music enhances the tension in several key sequences. The cinematography supports the film’s mood effectively. With a runtime of just over two hours, the narrative moves at a brisk pace. The production design and overall technical standards are adequate.

Bottom Line: “Mrithyunjay” works as a fairly engaging thriller, especially in the latter half. The film’s adherence to genre elements help it despite some logical flaws.

Rating: 2.75/5

By Jalapathy Gudelli