'Flask’ review: Rahul Riji Nair balances humour and suspense in Saiju Kurup starrer

There’s always something interesting about the premise in Rahul Riji Nair’s films. If his debut work ‘Ottamuri Velicham’ sheds light on domestic abuse within the confines of a small room, films like ‘Dakini’ revolve around a group of elderly women seeking joy in life. The team’s previous outing, ‘Jai Mahendran’, written by Rahul and headlined by Saiju, unfolds the inner workings of a panchayat office with a good blend of humour and emotion.

‘Flask’ delves into the dynamics of a police officer’s relationship with a district judge, set against the backdrop of a Maoist rebellion in the region. While the interactions between a tough, peculiar, overbearing man and his subservient counterpart have been explored multiple times in Malayalam cinema, Rahul manages to shine the spotlight on the role of a Special Protection Officer — a position apparently looked down upon by peers. Jyothi Krishna, played by Saiju Kurup, loves to sing but often lands in trouble due to his lack of discipline. He is eventually transferred as the Special Protection Officer for a peculiar District Judge, Venkitesh, portrayed by Suresh Krishna.

Rahul successfully infuses his signature style of situational comedy into ‘Flask’. However, the light-hearted interactions — particularly between Jyothi Krishna and his father, played by Balachandran Chullikkad — at times feel contrived. Tighter writing could have improved the film’s flow, especially in the first half, which largely maintains a light tone. In contrast, the second half — featuring Maoist rebels portrayed by ‘Aattam’ director Anand Ekarshi and Sidharth Bharathan — offers a more gripping narrative.

Aswathy Sreekanth delivers an outstanding performance as Jyothi’s wife. While Saiju Kurup also performs well, some of his mannerisms recall his role in ‘Jai Mahendran’. That said, the conflict between his character and the judge makes for an engaging watch. Sidharth Bharathan is also compelling as a rebel leader. It seems he wants to continue experimenting with roles, and ‘Flask’ is a step in that direction.

Sidhartha Pradeep’s music elevates the film, and the makers have reintroduced the evergreen classic ‘Nee Enn Sarga Soundaryame’, which Saiju’s character sings during a festival scene. ‘Muthe Njan Pette’, written by Rahul Riji Nair, also captures the essence of the film quite well.

‘Flask’ may not hit every note perfectly, but its blend of humour, conflict, and an offbeat setting makes it a watchable addition to Rahul Riji Nair’s filmography.