Oru Kodai Murder Mystery review: This unusual whodunit is a partly engaging fare, thanks to neat performances

3/5

Story: A teen student sets out to find the murderer of his crush with the help of his four friends. Despite his mother and a few others asking him to refrain from getting obsessed with the case, he goes ahead and follows his instincts. Though many unexpected obstacles pose threats to his plans, he manages to "investigate" the mystery behind the crime. However, a few twists dilute some of his well-planned ideas and he realizes that there are people who badly want him to give up. Will he be able to emerge successful?        

Review: The title Oru Kodai Murder Mystery gives away its genre and plot. The whodunit helmed by Vishal Venkat is set against the backdrop of a school in Kodaikanal where a girl goes missing. Later, her death is confirmed by cops, leaving her classmates and school authorities shocked.

Just when you think it is going to be a taut investigation drama involving cops and familiar procedures, makers surprise you with a different approach towards the case. The whole murder mystery is narrated from the point of view of its protagonist Vyom (Aakash), a teen student who is studious and a geek.

The eight-episode series revolves around his perseverance in finding the killer of Thara (Namritha), his schoolmate. The major reason which drives him to trace the murderer is his feelings for her. A reticent person by nature, Vyom decides to open up about his feelings for her.

However, it is the same day she goes missing, leaving him shattered. He ropes in four of his intelligent classmates, too, to carry out the investigation in their own style. But he has several hurdles to cross. Convincing his mother Ananthalakshmi (Abhirami) and dealing with the tantrums of his elder brother Manav (Nikhil) bother him a lot.

The unanticipated support from Sanjana (Abitha) helps him, making him confident to "take up the case". The entry of a few characters, however, spoils his plans. Will Vyom be able to find his crush's assassin?

It is the suspense factor which keeps the viewers engaged till the end despite a few flaws. There are loose ends in the screenplay and logic does go for a toss, but the performances of a few actors like Abhirami, Aakash and Abitha make up for it.

Raaghav and Namritha, too, register their presence, thanks to sincere portrayals of their respective characters. Rajkumar's cinematography deserves mention, though Kodaikanal's landscape could have been explored in a more appealing manner. Mathivathanan's editing and Sudharshan's music aid some of the crucial sequences.  

On the downside, the lack of wow factor and edge-of-the-seat scenes that are crucial in such a plot is a let down. The lukewarm approach from the beginning does not connect with us emotionally. The unofficial investigation process stops us from taking a few things seriously. But the suspension of disbelief works to a good extent, thanks to the manner in which the filmmaker created the universe.

Some of the characters, despite their ample screen time, do not leave much impact. The attempt to incorporate light-hearted conversations between friends dilute the tension involved in the proceedings. The sincerity with which the protagonist approaches the conflict works big time, though.

Verdict: Oru Kodai Murder Mystery is a mixed bag of surprises and disappointments. What works is the protagonist's challenges which instantly connect with viewers, but the amateurishness in certain sequences and dialogues are a let down.

Oru Kodai Murder Mystery is streaming on Zee5.