Shikkari Shambhu (2018)

You can almost predict what's going to happen in Sugeeth's Shikkari Shambhu. Crafted like any of his previous films (starts funny then gets dramatically serious) and bearing semblance to another film that Kunchacko Boban did in 2013 (Boban Samuel's Romans), this comedy thriller is only as good as its first act. Boban is the leader of a thieving trio who move to a village masquerading as hunters who are given the challenging task of trapping a man-eating leopard (or tiger). With intentions not aligning with this task, the trio fool around chasing skirt and making acquaintances until something more serious comes their way. The plot stinks of predictability but somehow pulls itself together to throw out an unfeasible climax that is convoluted to the core. At the end, Shikkari Shambhu, although faintly funny and apprehensive at times, ends with a lot of unanswered questions. The actors are decent, but it is the tried-and-tested story and narration that makes this a very average affair. If entertainment only means a thriller that you can crack and predict in 5 minutes then Shikkari Shambhu is a masterpiece. Otherwise, move along. TN.