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Ronth

13 June 2025Malayalam2h 1m
7.0
from 5 scored reviews · 2 not rated

Weighted from a 7.6 average · Why?

What critics are saying

Critical reception for Ronth is largely positive, with reviewers praising writer-director Shahi Kabir's ability to craft a grounded, layered police drama rooted in socio-political commentary and drawn from his real-life experiences as a policeman.

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Shahi Kabir WriterShahi Kabir DirectorManesh Madhavan CinematographyAnil Johnson Music

Two patrol officers face mounting tensions during a night shift as they navigate dangerous calls while confronting their strained partnership and personal demons.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Ronth is largely positive, with reviewers praising writer-director Shahi Kabir's ability to craft a grounded, layered police drama rooted in socio-political commentary and drawn from his real-life experiences as a policeman. The performances of Roshan Mathew and Dileesh Pothan are singled out for particular acclaim, and the film's attention to small, telling details is noted as a key strength. The most consistent criticism is that the central conflict's payoff feels somewhat underwhelming, and at least one critic notes the film has unspecified flaws despite its more careful handling compared to Kabir's earlier work.

5 rated reviews · 5 positive

Praised: lead performances and grounded realismCriticised: underwhelming central conflict payoff

AI-generated summary of 7 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (7)

Updated
Rohit Panikker· Filmfare
8.0
Ronth isn't here to thrill. It's here to haunt. It's a quiet, unhurried, and deeply unsettling portrait of what it means to patrol the line between order and morality—and what happens when that line begins to blur.
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Nirali Kanabar· TimesNowNews
8.0
Ronth is a subtle, sharp story soaked in realism, featuring strong performances from Roshan Mathew and Dileesh Pothan.
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Sajin Shrijith· The Week
8.0
Ronth marks Shahi Kabir's fifth police thriller and is once again coloured by his real-life experiences as a policeman who has seen all kinds of disquieting events. Shahi Kabir's golden run continues in a spiritual successor to 'Nayattu', with the best from Roshan Mathew and Dileesh Pothan.
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Vignesh Madhu· New Indian Express
7.0
Through two conflicting cops on patrol duty, Shahi Kabir succeeds in crafting yet another layered police story with hard-hitting socio-political commentary
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Anandu Suresh· Indian Express
7.0
Although the basic idea of Ronth bears similarities to Shahi's sophomore screenplay Nayattu, what sets the two films apart is the way the writer-director has handled the overall narratives and characters. While Nayattu lacked sensitivity and followed a pattern of 'ruthless depiction', further marred by misrepresentations and a largely anti-Dalit undercurrent, Ronth is handled with far more care; but has its flaws.
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Swathi P Ajith· OnManorama
Not rated
While the plot builds toward a central conflict, the eventual payoff feels slightly underwhelming. But even with that, 'Ronth' remains compelling. For those who've followed Shahi Kabir's brand of grounded police dramas, 'Ronth' is worth a watch.
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S.R. Praveen· The Hindu
Not rated
Shahi Kabir's Ronth almost achieves the impossible of giving us a peek into the deepest recesses of the hearts and minds of not one, but two people over the course of a single night. The writer-director pulls this off not through grand scenarios, but the crucial little details, which are sprinkled throughout the film.
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Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
13 June 2025
Runtime
2h 1m
Language
Malayalam
Genres
Crime, Drama

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