iratta movie review film companion

Home » Endings Explained

Iratta Ending Explained – why did Vinod have to die?

We discuss the ending of the 2023 film Iratta which will contain spoilers.

Iratta starts at the police station in the Keralan village of Vagamon, where the officers and members of the press and public are preparing for a local politician’s visit. Three gunshots, followed by the discovery of Assistant Sub-Inspector Vinod’s ( Joju George ) dead body, abruptly interrupt the festivities.

Following the unexpected murder, the police stop anyone from leaving the station, remove any recording devices from the reporters, and are under a tight deadline to figure out what happened to Vinod. 

Vinod’s estranged twin brother, the Deputy Superintendent of Police Pramod (also played by George), is in the hospital getting treated for a panic attack when he hears the news about his brother’s death.

Pramod is a recovering alcoholic whose wife, Sreeja ( Sreeja Ajith ), had left him with the infant daughter 17 years prior because he was abusive. For all those years, she refused to allow him any contact with his now-teenage daughter, Swetha ( Meenakshi Dinesh ), whose talents landed her in the finals of a reality TV singing competition.

But the man still hasn’t lost hope for a reconciliation. 

Pramod heads to the station where his brother died and sits in on the investigation. Three fellow officers were in the vicinity when Vinod was shot. A series of flashbacks paint a grim picture of the deceased’s life.

He was a violent drunkard and a rapist, and it’s implied that he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near children—not exactly what we’d like to call a model citizen.

But who hates him enough to murder him in broad daylight at a public event, no less? 

Iratta Ending Explained

Each of the three officers at the scene had a potential motive for Vinod’s murder. Vinod had assaulted inspector John while he was investigating a home disturbance but ultimately chose not to press charges because of how close he was to retiring.

Inspector Sandeep had reasons to believe Vinod was potentially inappropriate with children. The two got into a fistfight after Vinod picked up Sandeep’s daughter from school without her parent’s knowledge.

The third inspector, Bineesh, caught an intoxicated Vinod raping a 17-year-old girl after a disturbance at an inn they were gambling in. Of course, the incident was swept under the rug by Vinod’s colleagues. 

When they ask the murdered man’s wife, Malini, who could have hurt him, she quietly points towards Pramod, as the two brothers despise each other. 

Why are Vinod and Pramod estranged?

As children, the two twins were raised by a violent and alcoholic father, who also happened to be a police officer. When their mother finally left him, he forcefully kept a young Vinod in an attempt to avoid paying her child support.

Abandoned by his mother and twin brother, Vinod stayed with his abusive father until one day; the man tried to rape an underage girl from the village.

In retaliation, several other men (presumably the girl’s family members) killed him, a crime the young boy witnessed. 

When the mother and Pramod returned after the father’s death, it was too late. The relationship between the two siblings was permanently damaged. 

Who killed Vinod?

When the investigating officer finally allowed Pramod to help, he spoke to the suspects again. All three had a convincing alibi, even if one tried to hide he was having an affair with a fellow officer.

After taking a closer look at the footage captured by reporters, Pramod notes two children who were playing rugby in the field next to the police station. The boy’s testimony reveals that no one murdered Vinod. Instead, he turned the gun on himself.

Pramod and all the other officers were struggling to grasp the suicide theory. By all accounts, Vinod was a changed man and happy in his new marriage. 

Why did Vinod kill himself?

While trying to figure out why his brother took his own life, Pramod learns that, at the time of his death, Vinod was watching the TV show Swetha was competing in. On-screen, he recognized his former sister-in-law in the audience and realized that the 17-year-old girl he raped was his niece.

Unable to live with himself for committing such a horrific act, Vinod shot himself three times. As it turns out, incest was one line even Vinod couldn’t morally cross.

The film ends with a broken Pramod trying to make sense of his brother’s death and actions. When his wife calls him and suggests they meet, the man tells her never to mention him to their daughter and never to call him.

After all, how could he ever have a relationship with his estranged child when he shares the same face as a man who hurt her? 

What did you think of the ending of the 2023 film Iratta? Comment below.

Article by Lori Meek

Lori Meek has been a Ready Steady Cut contributing writer since September 2022 and has had over 400 published articles since. She studied Film and Television at Southampton Solent University, where she gained most of her knowledge and passion for the entertainment industry. Lori’s work is also featured on platforms such as TBreak Media and ShowFaves.

Signs season 1, episode 4 recap - it's always the Nazis

Racket Boys episode 14 recap - Han-sol's big triumph

This website cannot be displayed as your browser is extremely out of date.

Please update your browser to one of the following: Chrome , Firefox , Edge

• ENGLISH HINDI MALAYALAM TAMIL TELUGU KANNADA BENGALI  

Iratta Malayalam Movie

Rohit M.G. Krishnan's Iratta (Double) features Joju George as twins, Pramod and Vinod. The film mostly revolves around a police station. A cop is found dead inside the station on the day of a minister's visit there. Three officers are suspected of the crime, and the movie spends a considerable amount of time explaining each of their possible motives for it.

At some point, the focus of the narrative related to the investigation shifts to the twins. This is presented with flashbacks as a part of the narrative involving all the suspects of the crime. According to their narration, Pramod looks more morally upright and sociable, whereas Vinod looks like he is the product of a bad upbringing. The narrators portray Vinod as someone who drinks a lot, picks fights with people just to beat them to a pulp, and treats women as his sex toys. But this could also be a narrative ploy to pull the rug from underneath. As we always say in movies like these, looks can be deceiving. That said, the two characters could not be more different.

What runs parallel to the investigation plot is the track that explains how and why Pramod and Vinod differ a lot, despite being brothers. Childhood trauma is sometimes used as a bit of an excuse for how a character behaves in a movie. It is true that childhood trauma influences a person's character in the future, but the makers of Iratta kind of use it as a lame excuse for how Vinod behaves. The writing is not as clever in these portions of the movie as it is elsewhere, but the acting and the plot are so good that the film is consistently fascinating.

There is a big twist in the plot and an even better piece of narration that gives a whole new dimension to the twin characters and the title of the movie. Iratta is one of those movies that works wonders as a suspense thriller, even though the drama is nothing out of the ordinary.

I wish actors like Anjali and Srinda had better roles. Anjali mostly remains a stoic presence in the film, and Srinda's minister character says the same dialogue over and over. Srinda looks convincing enough as a minister, but the writing is not up to the mark.

The writing for the twin characters is quite good, though. Joju George is so good when it comes to differentiating his two characters here. He makes it believable that these are two different personalities we are watching, with just enough changes in appearance. Some of the expressions of the actor convey deeper implications than what is being conveyed on screen.

• WEB STORIES New
• ENTERTAINMENT
• CAREER & CAMPUS
• INFOGRAPHICS
• ISL 2023-24

• Manorama Online
• Manorama News TV
• ManoramaMAX
• Radio Mango
• Subscription

• Entertainment

'Iratta' movie review: Joju shines in this emotional, suspense-filled thriller

Malayalam movie 'Iratta' (Twin) hit theatres recently. The film directed by debutant Rohit M G Krishnan and featuring Joju in dual roles revolves around the murder of a policeman in Vagamon police station and the investigation that follows thereafter.

As the crime happened within the police station, the cops are under high pressure to probe and bring out the truth. Who is the murderer? Why did he commit the crime at the police station? Through these questions, the director and the scriptwriter narrate a story that sends chills down the spine of the viewers.

There is also a lot of intrigue since the prime suspects are three policemen. The story develops through Pramod and Vinod, the twin (Iratta in Malayalam) brothers who are cops, their friends and near ones. The film which is a crime investigation story is also a procedural drama. Though 'Iratta' begins as a police crime drama, it gradually takes another track. It is also interesting to see how the director has managed to weave in the early life of the twins, memories their friends have of them, among others, though the film is set in a gap of one day. The film also makes you emotional. The film progresses without hindering the flow of the script.

Joju George, Kalyani Priyadarshan share good chemistry in Joshiy's hazy, action drama 'Antony' | Review

'Star' movie review: A bid to deflate myths

'Iratta' stands apart for its extraordinary and unimaginable climax. The ‘twin’ climax is unprecedented in Malayalam cinema and is sure to leave the viewers perturbed.

It is Joju’s dual performance that is the strength of the movie. The twin brothers, Vinod and Pramod, lead completely different lives and also have different personalities. Only a truly gifted actor can transform himself the way Joju does in this movie.

While playing Pramod, Joju has put on a denture. Joju’s performance touches the soul of the character he plays. He has presented two characters who exhibit calmness, empathy, helplessness and mystery, on the screen in a composed manner.

Not just Joju, all artists who have acted in the movie have played their roles exceptionally well. Jithu Ashraf who played a pastor deserves a special mention. The cast includes artists Anjali, Sabu Mon, Sreekanth Murali, Manoj K U, Srinda, Shebin Benson, Arya Salim, Sreeja and Shruthi Jayan.

Debutant director Rohit has showcased the ease and grace seen in an experienced director. The subject dealt in 'Iratta' is not easy for a debutant to take up. Rohit has also done the script for the movie. Manu Antony’s editing, Vijay’s cinematography and Jakes Bijoy’s music have all helped Rohit’s work, rightly complementing it.

Iratta is an emotional journey. It is not like Joju’s earlier cop roles in 'Joseph' or 'Nayattu'. Also, it's remarkable that Joju does not exhibit any of those cop mannerisms from his earlier movies in 'Iratta', which can considered yet another excellent cinema in Malayalam.

• Movie Review
• Joju George

Pavi Caretaker: Balancing humour, emotions with dexterity | Movie Review

Richard Gadd's 'Baby Reindeer': A harrowing tale of sexual assault and stalking | Analysis

'Aavesham': Fahadh Faasil reigns supreme as 'Ranga' in Jithu Madhavan's comedy-entertainer | Movie Review

'Varshangalkku Sesham' Review | A bittersweet tribute to tinsel town’s oddball residents

'The First Omen': A dark and refreshing prequel to a horror classic | Movie Review

‘Exit’ movie: Vishak Nair plays career-defining role in this bold, survival thriller | Review

Aadujeevitham Review | Prithviraj stars in an intense tale of survival

Anchakkallakokkan review | Chemban Vinod, Lukman Avaran star in an experimental police drama

'Yodha': Sidharth Malhotra probably the only saving grace of this typical formula film | Movie Review

• Program Guide
• Sports News
• Top 10 Lists
• Streaming Services
• Newsletters
• OTTplay Awards
• OTT Replay 2023
• Changemakers

Home » Review » Iratta review: Joju George’s investigative drama is elevated by its haunting climax »

Iratta review: Joju George’s investigative drama is elevated by its haunting climax

The investigation part of Joju George's Iratta, however, progresses sedately and isn't intriguing enough to hold your attention

• Sanjith Sidhardhan

Last Updated: 01.33 PM, Feb 03, 2023

Story: Police officer Vinod is found dead inside a police station with three gunshot wounds. Three other cops who were at the crime scene become the prime suspects. They also have a strained history with Vinod, due to this abrasive and depraved nature. His twin brother Pramod, who also share a disturbed relationship with him, is part of the investigative team. Who was responsible for Vinod’s death and why?

Review: Malayalam actor Joju George has got a knack for choosing films that haunt the audience by the time they walk out of theatres. Be it Joseph, Chola or Nayattu, the actor’s performance as well as the story leaves many questions for the viewers to ponder over. Debutant Rohit MG Krishnan’s Iratta leaves you with the same experience at the end, even though the storytelling isn’t as potent as the three other films.

Iratta starts out as an investigation drama – introducing its two protagonists Pramod and Vinod. Pramod, the more restrained of the two, has been living alone ever since his wife had left with his daughter 18 years ago. This was also the bone that his twin brother Vinod had tried to pick every time they duo got into a heated argument. But more than Pramod, Rohit tells Iratta’s story through Vinod – an abrasive and depraved police officer, who is often at odds with each other. He also gets a good backstory that traces to his childhood trauma to explain the reasons for his cruel actions.

As Vinod himself says in the film, he is dirt and this aspect makes him hard to relate to, even when he expresses regret or tries to show kindness. As his past action are too heinous to ignore. What makes Iratta’s climax stand out is that the more than Vinod’s predicament, it makes the viewer feel for Pramod, who has to live with crushing bitterness, revulsion and regret for little fault of his own. In a way, Iratta also becomes a story about the sons suffering for the sins of the father and more.

But the climax apart, the investigation progresses sedately. The suspects, their backstories and ultimate finding aren’t intriguing enough, even though it pieces together Vinod’s thoughts well. In fact, Pramod’s final deduction of how is something that the audience could guess from the start. It’s only the why that is interesting.

Also read: Iratta director: Transforming into two different people seamlessly is a testament to Joju George’s skill | Exclusive

Rohit shows promise in putting together the emotional elements of the story as well the highlights the traits of both the twins. But it’s Joju who makes it convincing through his portrayal of both Vinod and Pramod. There isn’t too many changes in terms of how the characters look, and deliberately so, but he brings in evident differences. The editing of the film too must be lauded as despite the film shuttling between the past and present, the audience can immediately understand which is which without any identifier or transition.

Verdict: While Joju George’s investigative drama lacks in sustaining the intrigue and suspense of an investigative drama, the ending is haunting. If you are in a mood for slow-burn dramas, the film should be a decent watch.

WHERE TO WATCH

• New OTT Releases
• Web Stories
• Streaming services
• Latest News
• Movies Releases
• Cookie Policy
• Shows Releases
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Subscriber Agreement

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Challengers Link to Challengers
• I Saw the TV Glow Link to I Saw the TV Glow
• Música Link to Música

New TV Tonight

• Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1
• The Jinx: Season 2
• The Big Door Prize: Season 2
• Them: Season 2
• Knuckles: Season 1
• Velma: Season 2
• Secrets of the Octopus: Season 1
• Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story: Season 1
• We're Here: Season 4

Most Popular TV on RT

• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Fallout: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Ripley: Season 1
• Under the Bridge: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• We Were the Lucky Ones: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1 Link to Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

All Zendaya Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

Video Game TV Shows Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2024

Poll: Most Anticipated Movies of May 2024

• Trending on RT
• Marvel Movies In Order
• Seen on Screen
• Most Anticipated Movies of May
• Play Movie Trivia

Iratta Reviews

While well made, the blatant misogyny and depiction of violence against female characters who aren’t even given a hint of individuality make this a very infuriating movie.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 26, 2023

Rohit M.G. Krishnan has delivered a strong and fresh debut with IRATTA, with Joju George in top form. A fascinating dual character study that raises interesting questions, but unfortunately also seems a bit contrived.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Mar 24, 2023

A searing study of consequences and how our most casually committed wrongs can ruin us in ways that extend far beyond the notions of action and reaction or sowing what you reap that are commonly explored in cinema.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 17, 2023

Thanks For Rating

Reminder successfully set, select a city.

• Nashik Times
• Aurangabad Times
• Badlapur Times

You can change your city from here. We serve personalized stories based on the selected city

• Edit Profile
• Briefs Movies TV Web Series Lifestyle Trending Medithon Visual Stories Music Events Videos Theatre Photos Gaming

So Expensive: Mrunal Thakur looks regal in her luxurious georgette saree worth Rs 2 lakh

Anne Hathaway's insights on navigating romantic scenes

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce enjoy a low-key evening in Sin City with close friends

Deepika Padukone's rasam rice, Shraddha Kapoor's wada pav & more: Favourite foods of B-town celebs!

Irrfan Khan's son Babil Khan pens an emotional note 'I will not give up' ahead of his father's death anniversary

The Great Indian Kapil Show: Aamir Khan recalls his ex-wife Reena Dutta slapping him during son Junaid Khan's birth

• Movie Reviews

Movie Listings

Auron Mein Kahan Dum T...

Rosy Maam I Love You

Main Ladega

LSD 2: Love Sex Aur Dh...

Luv You Shankar

Mamu Makandaar

The Legacy Of Jineshwa...

Do Aur Do Pyaar

Saniya Iyappan's stylish charm: Clicks you can't miss!

Vijay Deverakonda's stylish casual looks

​Mrunal Thakur dazzles in ruffled denim

​Has Allu Arjun boosted his charges to a whopping ₹150 crore?​

​Dapper looks of Harish Kalyan​

Kinjal Dave's captivating clicks leave fans spellbound!

Sagrun Mehta impresses in ethereal ethnic looks - Pics

Manju Warrier dazzles in ebony elegance

Shruti Haasan Chooses Colorful Sharara Sets for This Summer

11 times Samantha Ruth Prabhu's made fashion statements in sarees

Kaam Chalu Hai

LSD 2: Love Sex Aur Dho...

Silence 2: The Night Ow...

Late Night With The Dev...

Challengers

Ghostbusters: Frozen Em...

The Book Of Clarence

City Hunter The Movie: ...

The First Omen

Finder: Project 1

Vallavan Vaguthadhada

Pon Ondru Kanden

Double Tuckerr

Oru Thavaru Seidhal

Paarijatha Parvam

Inti Number 13

Family Star

Tillu Square

Babu: No.1 Bullshit Guy

Om Bheem Bush

Happy Ending

Avatara Purusha 2

Chow Chow Bath

Hide And Seek

Somu Sound Engineer

Bonbibi: Widows Of The ...

Pariah Volume 1: Every ...

Shri Swapankumarer Bada...

Manush: Child of Destin...

Bogla Mama Jug Jug Jiyo

Sarabha: Cry For Freedo...

Zindagi Zindabaad

Maujaan Hi Maujaan

Chidiyan Da Chamba

White Punjab

Any How Mitti Pao

Gaddi Jaandi Ae Chalaan...

Buhe Bariyan

Juna Furniture

Alibaba Aani Chalishita...

Aata Vel Zaali

Shivrayancha Chhava

Delivery Boy

Sridevi Prasanna

Devra Pe Manva Dole

Dil Ta Pagal Hola

Ittaa Kittaa

Jaishree Krishh

Bushirt T-shirt

Shubh Yatra

Your Rating

Write a review (optional).

• Movie Reviews /
• Malayalam /

Would you like to review this movie?

Cast & Crew

Iratta Movie Review : Twins and trauma in a good thriller

• Times Of India

Iratta - Official Trailer

Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Guest 401 days ago

A good and different movie. But some questions arise. <br/>Sreeja moves out to Mumbai with the infant 17 years ago and does not want to return when Vinod meets her there couple of years later. Then how does the &quot;Incident&quot; leading to Vinod's death take place in a local lodge years later.?

User venkatesh 411 days ago

Superb &amp; Greatest Direction &amp; Story &amp; Bgm <br/>100/100 ��������

Mathipoorani Balasundaram 42 414 days ago

As a parent of two children and a professor born in such a strong Indian culture of family values it's really disheartening to watch a whole movie with wrong behaviour behaviours in all aspects, be it the role of cops, role of a father, husband and the youngsters as pramods daughter.<br/>Though it's a thriller that takes your curiosity and suspense, no message and value or fun or even a small feel good factor. I feel deeply hurt and ashamed having seen the movie with my young son

Muhammad Nezar M N 3071 417 days ago

AN EXCELLENT FILM WHICH HAS SOME MIND DISTURBING SCENES AND HAUNTING CLIMAX. THE FILM DEFINITELY HUNT YOUR MIND AND HEART ��

Sudesa Mithiran 4 421 days ago

Nice review

Visual Stories

Entertainment

Kids who love books have parents who do this

13 Indian dishes among 'Best Stews in the World'

​In pics: Classic looks of Preethi Kumar​

Virat Kohli shares the tempting list of foods he wants to cheat on, and it’s so cute!

9 types of pani recipes for Pani Puri to try at home

News - Iratta

Anjali's 50th film titled 'Eegai'

Joju George says yes to Tollywood; will face off Vaissh...

Joju George starrer ‘Iratta’ gets an OTT release date

Joju George reacts to social media trolls, says ‘Please...

‘Iratta’ box office collection day 4: Joju George starr...

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Get reviews of the latest theatrical releases every week, right in your inbox every Friday.

Thanks for subscribing.

Please Click Here to subscribe other newsletters that may interest you, and you'll always find stories you want to read in your inbox.

Popular Movie Reviews

Pavi Caretaker

Manjummel Boys

The Goat Life

Anweshippin Kandethum

Varshangalkku Shesham

'Iratta' movie review: Joju’s dual act leaves a haunting impression

I measure the quality of an actor by the degree of intensity with which his performance lingers in my mind for a long time. Any actor who does that earns a lot of brownie points in my book. While growing up in the 90s, the two actors who predominantly did that for me were Mammootty (Sukrutham, Thaniyavarthanam) and Mohanlal  (Aham, Sadayam). Who does the same for me today in contemporary Malayalam cinema? I can unblinkingly utter ‘Joju George,’ who can be relied upon to produce many a soul-shattering performance. After Nayattu, here comes Iratta, which brings back some of the names instrumental in realising the former, along with one fresh talent, director Rohit MG Krishnan.

Some films start slow but get more gripping along the way. Iratta gets its hooks deep in us even before the opening credits and never fails to sustain that momentum through its entirety. Who would’ve thought a simple sequence of two boys playing cricket around the premises of a police station would cause a considerable amount of tension and culminate in a jolt-inducing incident—one that would cause tremendous pain to an already-tormented police officer? The demise of someone close to DYSP Pramod (Joju George) plunges him into a whirlpool of morbid emotions and upsetting flashbacks that involve his twin, also a cop, Vinod (Joju George again).

Iratta does two things effectively: 1) keeping us guessing through a Rashomon-style procedural examining the testimonies of multiple suspects, and 2) exploring the backgrounds and personalities of Pramod and Vinod in the hope of finding a crucial clue that could solve the above case. It’s at once a compelling mystery and character study.

Joju plays Pramod and Vinod as two diametrically opposite characters. Pramod is the more restrained of the two, a gentleman who once wasn’t; Vinod is the slightly unhinged version, bearing certain distasteful qualities. How to tell them apart? The latter has a generally shabby disposition, a different eye colour, and tends to creep anyone out, regardless of gender, whenever he enters the room. What’s most impressive about Joju’s performance is that, despite having played conflicted, brooding khaki-clad men earlier—Joseph and Nayattu being the prime examples—both Pramod and Vinod have nothing in common with those characters. The actor imbues the twins with many little nuances and mannerisms that it’s not difficult to tell who is who.

Pramod and Vinod have had a fallout, but one thing they have in common is an unpleasant history with women. The world of Iratta is unkind to them—wives, daughters, partners... none of them has it easy, and the men are responsible. A man who rescues a woman from the oppressive and violent clutches of her ex-husband throws her into a different kind of hell, one of his own making. Another man repents, more than a decade later, for treating his wife poorly, with whom he hopes to reconnect, along with the daughter whom he never got to meet. There is a third situation—the most disturbing of all—which becomes inextricably linked to the fates of the two brothers.

There is a reason for these two characters to be twins. This writing choice makes so much sense once we get to the devastating final moments, before which you might wonder what would’ve happened had they been played by two different actors. I don’t know if it’s true, but I recall someone recently telling me that Pramod and Vinod were roles initially envisioned with two non-twin actors; however, later, Joju decided to play them both owing to the immense scope for performance, which the material of this nature affords. I assume this must have caused Rohit, who directed from his own script, to make an appropriate revision. It’s a clever choice because it sets up a hard-hitting finale that, in my book, trumps the one in Nayattu. As for the pivotal, plot-twisting bits of violence, Iratta believes in the ‘less is more’ adage and brings forth complex psychological implications that got me thinking of what K.G. George or Padmarajan once used to do.

Jakes Bejoy’s non-intrusive, relentlessly chill-inducing score is weaved seamlessly into the narrative. Manu Antony’s cuts produce maximum impact. Working in tandem are cinematographer Vijay’s atmosphere-heavy and menace-conjuring visuals. The film shares its overall aesthetic with Nayattu; if you liked how Nayattu looked and sounded, and if it’s the sort of filmmaking that gives you a high, there is a strong possibility that you might dig Iratta too.

Film: Iratta Director: Rohit MG Krishnan Cast: Joju George, Anjali, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Sabumon Abdusamad, Arya Salim, Srindaa Rating: 4/5

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp  

Download the TNIE app to stay with us and follow the latest

Related Stories

• Entertainment
• Science and Tech
• Education Today

Iratta Movie Review: An unpredicted ending is brilliant writing by Radha Krishnan

Thrilling and suspenseful stories have been the demand of the day in recent times from the audience. When such stories revolve around cops and crimes, they are more valued in the market.

Hyderabad: Thrilling and suspenseful stories have been the demand of the day in recent times from the audience. When such stories revolve around cops and crimes, they are more valued in the market. Iratta is one such film by Rohit MG Krishnan, which marks his directing debut in Malayalam . Joju George, the lead actor of the film, brings real life to this film with his dual performance as twins.

• Google Doodle pays tribute to PK Rosy, the first female lead in Malayalam film
• Malayalam film ‘Mei Hoom Moosa’ to have its World Digital Premiere on ZEE5 on November 11
• Tamannaah Bhatia starts shooting for her debut Malayalam film

Iratta Movie Story:

Deputy SP Pramod Kumar (Joju George) and Assistant SI Vinod (Joju George) are twin brother cops at the Vagamon police station. Pramod and Vinod were separated in their childhood itself, with a disrupted past among their family. Vinod gets murdered at the police station, leaving multiple suspects to investigate, including his brother Pramod and his wife Malini (Anjali). Who is the murderer? What might be the reason behind Vinod’s death? All these interesting elements unfold as the story progresses with the police procedural and investigation.

Iratta Movie Review:

Iratta is mainly based on the strong story told in between the lives of twin brothers, Pramod and Vinod. The film also has a thrilling screenplay to maintain suspense among the audience when each of the suspects reveals their back stories and issues with Vinod in the past. Well, the climax of the film will be totally unexpected by the audience, and not even a guess can be made as to who the real murderer is. This is some brilliant writing from Rohit MG Krishnan. Rohit is also very professional in his direction skills, despite making his debut in the department. His setup of the film is substantial, and his use of the lead actor, Joju George, in dual roles is appreciable. Well, there are also a couple of sequences in the film that feel like they are stretched a bit longer (Vinod’s childhood trauma and his love story with Malini) during the course of the story. But when the suspense gets broken in the climax and the real murderer is revealed, all these established elements get paid off completely.

Joju George is exceptional in bringing out the different exposure and exhibition of the two characters (twin brothers). While Pramod is completely professional and sticks to his duty with honesty, Vinod is quite the opposite, a wild police officer who values nothing in life except his decisions. Joju George showed the difference between two characters in every minute element, including body language, dialogue delivery, tone, attitude, and everything else. Joju George can be seen as both arrogant and emotional in the course of the story, in two different roles. This exhibition of multiple shades in his acting is truly appreciable.

Anjali is the only one who shines in the film other than Joju George. Though she doesn’t get much dialogue to utter in the film, her silence and grief-filled role add weight to the film. Anjali gave a noteworthy performance as Malini.

The other characters in the film don’t have much prominence. The audience can only notice Arya Salim worthy a couple times in the film.

Iratta is also technically strong, besides having a well-written and suspense-filled story. Jakes Bejoy’s background music maintains the tension in the screenplay and also adds that edginess to the narrative. Vinod’s cinematography is also good.

Iratta is a film that mostly runs on police procedurals, with a vivid screenplay by Rohit Krishnan in the process of revealing a murderer. Joju George’s performance in a dual role is the heart and soul of the film. The ending of the film leaves you outraged and makes you satisfied after watching a worthy suspense story.

• Follow Us :
• Iratta Movie
• Joju George
• Malayalam cinema
• Malayalam crime thriller

Related News

Renowned artist Vasudevan Namboothiri passes away in Malappuram

Tovino Thomas-starrer ‘2018’ emerges as biggest industry hit in history of Malayalam cinema

2018 movie will be released in Telugu on May 26

Tovino Thomas’ 2018 creates records in Malayalam cinema

Latest news, rewind: saving sarus, experience japanese taiyaki ice cream, now in hyderabad, facial recognition likely for ts eapcet, student visas: fact sheet for indian students, district-level panel to check ragging in higher educational institutions, fraudsters attempt to loot elderly man from hyderabad, abvp protests at uoh, demands revocation of event permission penalty order, telangana: massive cyber fraud involving rs 4.23 crore unearthed, five held.

• Andhra Pradesh
• Lok Sabha Elections 2024
• South Shots
• In The News
• Dakshin Dialogues

• Opinion & Analysis

• Health & Wellness
• Community & Culture

• Home » Movies » Iratta Movie Review

Iratta review: Joju George nails it in this well-made thriller

Debutant director Rohit MG Krishnan delivers an overwhelming film that revolves around estranged twin brothers.

Published:Feb 03, 2023

A poster of Joju George and Anjali's 'Iratta' movie. (yoursanjali/Twitter)

Joju George is in full form!

Iratta (Malayalam)

• Cast: Joju George, Anjali, Srinda, Sabumon, Srikanth Murali, Arya Salim, Abhiram, Sarath Sabha, Shebin Benson, Sreeja, and Jithu Ashraf
• Director: Rohit MG Krishnan
• Producers: Joju George and Martin Prakkat
• Music: Jakes Bejoy
• Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
• Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi, and Revathy
• Director: Maneesh Sharma
• Producer: Aditya Chopra
• Music: Pritam Chakraborty
• Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes

Joju George is proving to be an asset to the Malayalam film industry with his wide range of characters.

The actor has done many roles as a policeman. This includes his roles in Nayattu, Joseph, Action Hero Biju, Solamante Theneechakal, and so on. These roles were appreciated for the fact that they weren’t stereotypical.

Yet another movie by the actor, Iratta , has been released today, 3 February. Interestingly, Joju dons the role of twins here. This is the first time that the Joseph star is experimenting with a double role.

But what happens when both characters are police officers? Well, let’s check how the actor and the movie fare:

Joju George’s versatility

In an interview, director Rohit MG Krishnan told South First that Joju George’s double role would give mileage to the movie. Well, his performance justifies this statement.

Joju acts as a deputy superintendent of police (DySP) and assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in Iratta. Pramod (DySP) and Vinod (ASI) have a strange relationship even though they are twins.

It’s quite challenging for an actor to do multiple roles without making any physical changes. Joju succeeded in playing these estranged twin brothers as two different personalities.

Joju George in Iratta . (Twitter)

In his earlier cop films , Joju played roles that were emotionally driven.

His voice always adds power to those hard-hitting emotional scenes and Iratta is no exception .

In the movie, Vinod’s character is more challenging than Pramod’s.

Vinod has a macho image as a middle-aged policeman who is a womaniser. His rude behaviour towards his fellow cops and women, and finally his transformation, is well portrayed by Joju.

Emotionally-driven plot

Iratta is not one of those movies with all the quintessential elements —comedy, peppy dance numbers, and a happy family.

A disturbed childhood between Vinod and Pramod makes them enemies. Vinod leads a careless life with many women. He is a drunkard and troublemaker even at work.

An incident at the police station where Vinod works and an investigation into it reveals some truths. These findings make the story engaging.

Interestingly, the instance that triggers the plot is taken from a small incident that actually happened in Kerala.

Emotionally-driven films usually tend to be melodramatic. But not Iratta !

At one point, Pramod’s character turns heroic. But it doesn’t turn superhero! Indeed, in the end, a surprise climax makes the hero a helpless man.

A defect with the movie, however, is the clichéd norm of portraying all the flashback scenes in black-and-white.

pic.twitter.com/WJeGmcZo1x — joju george (@C_I_N_E_M_A_A) February 2, 2023

Also Read: Run Baby Run review: An interesting thriller that works in parts

Performances.

Tamil actor Anjali plays the role of Vinod’s live-in partner. She also has a troubled past. She doesn’t have many scenes in the movie, but she did her part well.

Srinda and Arya Salim are the other female actors.

Sabumon, Srikant Murali, and Abhiram Radhakrishnan did justice to their roles as well.

The script, however, largely gives importance to Joju’s twin characters.

A poster of Iratta . (Twitter)

Other technical crafts

Director Rohit MG Krishnan has done a wonderful job and it surely doesn’t feel like it’s his debut movie.

His script has a mild pace but it doesn’t lose its rhythm at any point.

A song sung by Shahabaz Aman is placed in the second half of the movie that is soothing to the ears.

Jakes Bejoy composed the song nicely. The background score of the movie is also laudable.

The visuals of Idukki, where the story is set, are captured with finesse by cinematographer Vijay.

Final verdict

Iratta is a well-paced crime thriller with an interesting plot and an amazing performance by Joju George, who is in full form.

(Views expressed are personal.)

Tags:  

• Entertainment
• film review
• Malayalam movies
• Movie review

Recommended For You

Pavi Caretaker review: Dileep finally returns to his forte — comedy

Apr 26, 2024

BTS video of Mohanal’s ‘Barroz’ goes viral

Apr 24, 2024

‘Aadujeevitham’ is universal, says Blessy as the movie grosses ₹150 crore

Apr 22, 2024

‘Manjummel Boys’ to make OTT debut on Disney+ Hotstar

Do Aur Do Pyaar review: A well-made marital drama about the difficulties in sustaining love

Apr 20, 2024

Latest News

Kerala Police join hands with banks to combat financial fraud

YSRCP manifesto has strong welfare flavour; Vizag executive capital

Congress asks CPI(M) to explain EP Jayarajan-Javadekar meet

A doctor’s personal battle with genetic disease CMT becomes a beacon of hope for many

Stalin asks officials to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply

SIT to probe sex videos involving JD(S) MP and Deve Gowda’s grandson Prajwal Revanna

Over 2,000 NRIs to campaign for TDP in Andhra Pradesh polls

Why did Congress not think of caste census when in power, asks BJP leader K Laxman

EC orders re-polling at one booth in Chamarajanagar LS segment in Karnataka on 29 April

PM Modi hell-bent on ‘revenge’ since Karnataka ‘rejected’ him in assembly polls, says Congress

BJP wants 400 seats to change Constitution, abolish quotas: Revanth

Prabhas’ magnum opus ‘Kalki 2898-AD’ to release on 27 June

LDF MLA PV Anwar booked for remarks against Rahul Gandhi

JD(S) alleges voter inducements in Bangalore Rural, Congress denies

LDF slams BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar for not casting vote

• Sunday, April 28, 2024

The Genre Junkie

Your source for genre films

Iratta (2023) review – A solid whodunit set inside a police station, elevated by its gut-wrenching climactic twist

The police station in the Keralan village of Vagamon is getting ready to host a distinguished guest, a local politician. The police officers are making all the arrangements, there is a media presence outside the station, and the crowd has begun to arrive. In a small field adjacent to the police station, two young kids are playing a cricket match. Suddenly, a gunshot is heard, and everything comes to a standstill. DYSP Pramod (Joju George) is in a hospital on the other side of the village for a checkup for panic attacks. As soon as he learns of the incident, he heads to the police station, where he finds out that his twin brother, ASI Vinod (Joju George), has been shot three times, setting in motion a highly publicized investigation. The best part about Iratta is that director Rohit M.G. Krishnan does not waste the film’s intriguing premise but instead executes it effectively, which most Indian movies sadly fail to do, especially when it comes to genre films.

Upon discovering vinod’s body, iratta turns into a whodunit mystery set inside a police station. the suspects are three police officers and vinod’s colleagues, who harbored deep animosity toward him. through flashbacks, the characters of the twin brothers are established in detail. vinod was a vile person who drank excessively, was violent toward others, slept around, and raped women. he also had profoundly serious childhood trauma issues. on the other hand, pramod and his wife split up 17 years ago because of his alcoholism. she moved to mumbai and raised her daughter alone, who is now a talented singer and sings on reality tv shows. pramod is desperately trying to reconnect with his ex-wife and their daughter, who is unaware that her father is still alive. as for their sibling bond, the brothers despise one another for reasons that stem from their traumatic upbringing. their father was an alcoholic and abusive cop who regularly beat their mother while intoxicated. one day, he brings a strange woman and kicks the three of them out of the house. as his superior orders him to start paying child support to his wife, he reluctantly takes one of the brothers (vinod) with him to save money. one day, vinod flees the house and discovers that his mother and brother have abandoned him with his abusive father, at which point things between the brothers deteriorate and never improve..

The makers take a tremendous risk by adding a subplot in the form of a romantic love story smack dab in the middle of the murder investigation. Vinod meets a woman and falls in love with her, changing him as a person from the guy he once described as “Filth.” The main objective of this subplot is to give Vinod a redemption arc and make us empathize with him, which plays a pivotal role during the film’s climax. While the subplot feels stretched, it is just enough to make the climactic twist efficient and poignant.

The film’s final twist hits you like a gut punch, breaking your heart and leaving you empty on the inside. it is easily one of the best twist endings in recent times. the film also deals with themes like childhood trauma, abuse, and alcoholism with seamless brilliance. joju george gives a terrific dual performance, but his portrayal of vinod was especially laud worthy. he towers above others and dominates the screen when the worst traits of his character are on display. and yet he shines in small moments and is adorable, especially while attempting to impress the woman he loves. the movie is now available on netflix..

Iratta movie link: IMDB

For more movie review, visit our homepage

1970s 2023 Action Adventure alfred hitchcock Australian films black and white Buddy Comedy classic movies Crime criterion collection denzel washington Drama free movies on youtube Gangster Giallo great films Horror indian movies italian movies low budget filmmaking lucio fulci Mystery Neo noir netflix netflix movies new movies Noir one false move Period Drama police procedural political thriller Psychological thriller Revenge reviews Sci-Fi Slasher Spy movies supernatural suspense the psychic Thriller war Western whodunit

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

One thought on “ Iratta (2023) review – A solid whodunit set inside a police station, elevated by its gut-wrenching climactic twist ”

I like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!

Comments are closed.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Mars Express

Set in the 23rd century on Mars, the plot follows the investigation on a murder case carried out by the couple formed by private investigator Aline Ruby and her android companion Carlos Rive... Read all Set in the 23rd century on Mars, the plot follows the investigation on a murder case carried out by the couple formed by private investigator Aline Ruby and her android companion Carlos Rivera. Set in the 23rd century on Mars, the plot follows the investigation on a murder case carried out by the couple formed by private investigator Aline Ruby and her android companion Carlos Rivera.

• Jérémie Périn
• Laurent Sarfati
• Léa Drucker
• Mathieu Amalric
• Daniel Njo Lobé
• 3 User reviews
• 23 Critic reviews
• 3 wins & 5 nominations

• Chris Royjacker

• Carlos Rivera

• Roberta Williams

• Inspector Simon Gordaux

• Faux M. Chow
• (as Elias Changueul)
• Manifestants
• Carlos voix femme
• Flic augmenté
• Standardiste
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia The movie uses the Three Laws of Robotics from Asimov's Robots novel series to explain the robots' behavior and relationship with humans.
• Connections References 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 28 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

Jessie Buckley (The Bride) Christian Bale (Frankenstein's Monster) Annette Bening Penélope Cruz (Myrna) Julianne Hough John Magaro Peter Sarsgaard Linda Emond Jeannie Berlin

Maggie Gyllenhaal

In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change.

Advertisement