Devadath Shaji’s Dheeran is a film that resists easy categorization. The film, while flawed, is populated by a cast of characters, each with their own quirks, yet few of them are fully developed, resulting in a somewhat chaotic experience.
The film doesn’t allow the audience to get close to anyone. The storytelling focuses on the characters’ eccentricities. We only learn about them through their roles in the story. One character enjoys Hindi songs. Another’s wife runs off with a younger man, and he is unexpectedly understanding when he meets them. Amidst the chaos, there are some noteworthy moments.
The characters, representing various viewpoints, don’t come together in a meaningful way. They appear as isolated elements, failing to contribute to the main plot.
The central character is Eldhose (Rajesh Madhavan), known for his comedic performances. In this film, he’s placed in precarious situations that should be humorous, but are often disturbing. A man is forced into a drum and burned alive.
The film addresses migrant issues with directness as Eldhose goes to Tamil Nadu to work for a gangster, who also sells perfume (Vineeth). This could have been a basis for satire, but the director doesn’t explore this.
The tone shifts between seriousness and satire. The film is neither one thing nor the other. When news arrives that Eldhose has died, a group sets out to retrieve his body, becoming a road movie.
However, this isn’t just a road movie. It’s not a dark comedy about elopement or death. Much of the story is a flashback involving a gangster’s conflict with Eldhose. This is the weakest part of the plot. Merging a road movie with a gangster film doesn’t work, using a lot of violence.
It’s a crime drama that could have been interesting, but there are too many characters.