Kalamkaval Review Telugu: Mammootty as a Psycho Killer – How Is the Malayalam Blockbuster?

Kalamkaval Review Telugu || Image: Kalamkaval

Cast: Mammootty, Vinayakan, Gayathri Arun, Rajisha Vijayan, Sruthi Ramachandran and others

Written and Directed by: Jithin K Jose

Streaming Platform: SonyLIV

Every individual experiences a sense of satisfaction in different ways. When a mosquito bites us, we instinctively strike it. Watching a few of them fall brings a small sense of relief, and that feeling often pushes us to continue. The more victories we claim, the greater the satisfaction. Some people find joy in cutting chicken for cooking, not because of the act itself, but due to the pleasure of the meal that follows. Encountering a snake, however, creates fear rather than courage. Each person has a unique threshold when it comes to harming other living beings.

But Stanley Das is different. For him, taking a human life feels natural. This unsettling truth becomes clear within the first ten minutes of the film. That is exactly why once you begin watching Kalamkaval, it is nearly impossible to stop before the final scene. Director Jithin K Jose presents the story in such a gripping and engaging manner that the film holds the viewers attention throughout.

Stanley Das, played by Mammootty, targets women who live alone. He builds trust, promises marriage, spends time with them, and ends their lives on the very same day. Meanwhile, a series of disappearances in villages along the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border draws the attention of police from both states. The Kerala Police assigns SI Jayakrishnan, portrayed by Vinayakan, to handle the case. What motivates Stanley to commit these murders? How does he manage to stay ahead of the police? And in what way does Jayakrishnan finally unravel the mystery? These questions drive the core of the narrative.

The film opens with a chilling murder sequence carried out by Stanley, immediately setting the tone. From there, the storyline runs on two parallel tracks: Jayakrishnans investigation and Stanleys ongoing crimes. Since the story is set in the year 2000, the absence of modern technology feels realistic and convincing. Stanleys careful avoidance of mobile phones and the simplicity of village life strengthen the authenticity of the setting. Watching Jayakrishnan struggle to collect evidence in an era without advanced tools adds depth and realism to the investigation scenes.

Midway through the film, the director introduces an unexpected revelation about Stanleys true identity. From this point onward, the pace intensifies and the suspense increases. As Jayakrishnan moves closer to the truth, Stanley cleverly alters his strategies to stay hidden. The tension builds with each scene, keeping the audience constantly guessing whether the police will finally capture the real culprit. The moment Jayakrishnan realizes Stanleys involvement, followed by the twists in the climax, stands out as one of the films biggest strengths. These moments must be experienced on screen. The movie has reportedly earned over Rs 80 crore at the Malayalam box office.

Just as water takes the shape of any container, Mammootty adapts effortlessly to every role he chooses. Recently seen in diverse characters, he now completely transforms into psycho killer Stanley Das. On screen, Mammootty disappears, leaving only the terrifying presence of Stanley. Vinayakan also delivers a powerful performance as SI Jayakrishnan, surprising audiences who remember him from different roles in the past. Their confrontation in the climax reaches an exceptional level of intensity. Rajisha Vijayan performs her role effectively, while the supporting cast contributes adequately. From a technical standpoint, the film is well made. The directors decision to portray Mammootty in such a dark character deserves appreciation. However, the film could have been more impactful if the runtime had been trimmed slightly.

Family Viewing: The film is suitable for family audiences. There are no vulgar scenes or inappropriate dialogues. Telugu audio is also available on SonyLIV.

Strengths

• Strong storyline and narration
• Outstanding performances by Mammootty and Vinayakan
• Powerful interval and climax twists

Weaknesses

• A few slower moments in the first half

Final Verdict

• An engaging and intense crime thriller, Kalamkaval keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.

Note: This review reflects the reviewers personal opinion.