Movie Name :  Kalamkaval
Streaming Date : Jan 16, 2026
Streaming Platform : Sony LIV
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Mammootty, Vinayakan, Rajisha Vijayan, Malavika Menon, and others
Director : Jithin K. Jose
Producer : Mammootty
Music Director : Mujeeb Majeed
Cinematographer  : Faisal Ali
Editor : Praveen Prabhakar

Related Links : Trailer

Malayalam cinema has earned a strong reputation as they consistently deliver quality thrillers. One such crime thriller to come out recently from the industry is Kalamkaval. Starring Malayalam Megastar Mammootty in the lead role, the film has now also been released in Telugu on Sony LIV. Let’s see how the film fares.

Story:

Between 2005 and 2012, several middle-aged, unmarried, divorced, and those living alone go missing in several parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With no clues or traces to explain their disappearance, the case becomes a major headache for the Kerala Police.

In this context, Crime Branch officer Jayakrishna (Vinayakan), nicknamed Gudlaguba (owl), takes charge of the investigation. At the same time, how a decent family man named Stanley Das (Mammootty) becomes involved in these serial crimes forms the crux of the story. Who is behind these murders? What’s the motive? Did the police finally catch the killer or not? To find answers, one must watch the film.

Plus Points:

A Hindi series based on a similar concept already exists. Those who have watched it may find certain elements familiar. However, for viewers who haven’t seen it, Kalamkaval offers an intriguing and engaging thriller experience. People looking for an interesting investigative thriller can definitely add this film to their watchlist.

The biggest strength of the film is that it is inspired by real-life incidents. The narration makes us glued to the screens without any room for boredom. It constantly makes us curious about what happens next. The investigation unfolds with solid, thrilling moments, for which the director deserves special appreciation.

Some twists work effectively, enhanced by a strong background score. Another major asset of the film is Mammootty’s presence and performance. It is surprising to see him choose such a dark role, but he excels in it. The legendary actor does full justice to Stanley Das’ character with his settled, understated performance with negative shades.

Vinayakan also gets a strong role as the investigating officer and fits the bill perfectly. The rest of the cast delivers natural performances. Even for those who have watched the Hindi series, the narration feels gripping and better executed, with certain changes working well.

Minus Points:

As mentioned earlier, viewers who have already seen the Hindi web show Dahaad, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Vijay Varma, might feel slightly disappointed if they expect the content to be entirely new. As the core concept is known in advance, the movie may feel predictable.

Although the story is based on real incidents, it feels illogical that, over so many years of investigation, not even a single clue, trace, or body is found. Also, the pacing dips in the mid portions

Technical Aspects:

The production values are good, with Mammootty himself backing the film. Mujeeb Majeed’s music works well, especially the sound design and background score, which enhance the impact of many scenes. Faisal Ali’s cinematography is decent, and Praveen Prabhakar’s editing is mostly effective.

Director Jithin K. Jose neatly handles a familiar concept that has been explored in multiple films and series. While comparisons with Dahaad are inevitable, his execution is impressive. The narration offers good thrills for first-time viewers, and even those who have seen similar content may find this version gripping.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mammootty’s Kalamkaval offers decent thrills for viewers who go in without prior knowledge of the concept and are looking for a crime investigation thriller. Mammootty impresses with a solid performance, and the engaging narration keeps the audience invested. While it may not feel entirely new for those who have already watched Dahaad, for others, it makes for a satisfying OTT watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team