Dridam (2026): Shane Nigam s lands hard though the screenplay stays patchy
The mountain air is supposed to be still, but the discovery of human remains shatters the quiet of this hill station, pulling a newly posted SI Vijay Radhakrishnan into a web he wasn’t prepared for. The opening frames promise a contained procedural, but what follows is a test of patience before a payoff that nearly justifies the wait.
Shane Nigam’s Restrained Cop Anchors a Wavering Script
Shane Nigam carries the film’s uneven weight on his shoulders, and in the pressure-cooker scenes where he’s given a strict deadline, he finally finds the register the movie needs. His performance is less about broad characterization and more about sustained, coiled tension, a choice that works in isolation but often fights the lethargic scenes around him.
Nigam’s presence is the single thread that keeps the investigation from unraveling entirely. He makes the rookie cop’s frustration tangible, even when the writing gives him little to work with beyond procedural urgency.
Martin Joseph’s Direction: A Setup That Tests Your Patience
Director Martin Joseph builds a grim, realistic atmosphere, using the isolated station setting to create a sense of containment. The strategy is sound, but the execution is too gradual, the first half stretches the investigation into generic, predictable territory.
The screenplay’s biggest flaw is its middle section, which lacks the energy needed to sustain a two-hour runtime. I found myself checking the runtime long before the plot started moving with purpose.
The Genre Core: A Thriller That Puts All Its Chips on the Reveal
This is a procedural that lives and dies by its delayed revelation. The suspense engine is built on procedural pressure rather than action, with the discovery of remains triggering an immediate, institutional push for a quick resolution. It’s a classic setup, but one that requires sharper writing to feel fresh.
The film’s pacing is its own worst enemy. The editing in the first half is sluggish, and the exposition is heavy-handed, making the investigation feel like a checklist rather than a discovery. The middle passages drag, and the lack of a dominant villain presence means the threat remains an abstract system rather than a tangible foe.
However, the climax recontextualizes much of what came before. The final reveal lands with enough force that multiple reviews, including a 3.5/5 from The Week, credited it with salvaging the entire experience. It’s a textbook case of a strong ending trying to compensate for a weak journey.
If you are looking for more Malayalam crime dramas that balance suspense with tighter storytelling, browse our Malayalam Thriller reviews.
The Supporting Ensemble: Backbone Without a Pulse
Shobi Thilakan, as ASI Krishnan Kurup, functions as the procedural backbone, representing the institutional pressure that weighs on Nigam’s officer. His presence is steady, but he’s given little to do beyond supporting the hierarchy’s tension.
Dinesh Prabhakar’s CPO Satyan adds texture to the station dynamics, while Kottayam Ramesh and Abhiram Radhakrishnan fill out the local-ensemble color. None of them get a moment to shine, which signals a script more interested in plot mechanics than in the people caught inside them.
Audience Verdict: A Flop That Found a Second Life in Conversation
The film’s theatrical run was a commercial disappointment, with Box Office Mojo reporting a worldwide gross of just $77, 048, a figure that reflects the disconnect between its critical reception and its box office fate. The audience response, however, is more forgiving: an IMDb rating of 7.0/10 suggests that those who did watch it found value in the climax and Nigam’s commitment.
The complaints are consistent, slow pacing, uneven storytelling, and a lack of originality in the investigation. Yet the praise for the twist ending is equally unanimous, creating a strange split where the film’s reputation is better than its first half deserves.
This is a film built for the OTT format, where the slow burn can be paused, resumed, and ultimately rewarded by a finale that works. Go in with patience, and you’ll leave with a decent thriller. Go in expecting momentum, and you’ll be checking your watch.
Dridam is a one-time watch for patient thriller fans, earning a 2.5/5 for its uneven but ultimately rewarding structure.
For a deeper dive into Shane Nigam’s acting range, see how he handles a different kind of pressure in I m review.
If you prefer family comedies with stronger anchors, check out how Neetu Kapoor holds a wobbly script together in Daadi Ki verdict.
Ankit Jaiswal is the Chief Author, covering Indian cinema and OTT releases with honest, no-filler criticism. An SEO strategist by background, he brings a research-driven approach to film writing, cutting through hype to tell you exactly what's worth your time.
