Detective Ujjwalan OTT Release: Dhyan Sreenivasan’s Village Mystery Thriller to Stream on Netflix Soon

Following a successful theatrical run, Detective Ujjwalan, the Malayalam investigative thriller starring Dhyan Sreenivasan and Siju Wilson, is all set to make its digital debut. While an official date is yet to be announced, Netflix has reportedly acquired the post-theatrical digital rights. The announcement has generated excitement, especially given Netflix’s limited presence in Malayalam cinema in recent times.

Important Details for Detective Ujjwalan OTT Release

Release Date (Theatrical): May 23, 2025
OTT Platform: Netflix (Release date TBA)
Satellite Rights: ZEE Network
Language: Malayalam
Genre: Investigative Comedy Thriller
Starring: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siju Wilson
Directors: Indraneel Gopikrishnan & Rahul G
Producer: Sophia Paul
Production House: Weekend Blockbusters
Box Office (India): ₹6.5 crore
Budget: ₹4.5 crore

Netflix Deal Confirmed, Date Awaited

According to reliable sources and a post by film industry tracker AB George, the OTT rights for Detective Ujjwalan have been secured by Netflix. George wrote:

“#DetectiveUjjwalan OTT Deal — Digital giant Netflix has bagged the post-theatrical digital rights! Netflix rarely picks up Malayalam films these days — but thanks to @W_Blockbusters' previous collaborations and the film’s cinematic universe concept, this one made the cut.”

This acquisition marks a notable move for Netflix, which hasn’t actively streamed Malayalam films recently. The association with the Weekend Cinematic Universe, launched by Minnal Murali, is believed to have played a significant role in sealing the deal.

Meanwhile, ZEE Network has reportedly acquired the satellite rights for the film’s television broadcast.

Plot Overview: A Detective’s Quest Amidst Chaos

Detective Ujjwalan unfolds in the seemingly peaceful village of Plaachikkaavu, which is thrown into turmoil when a mysterious entity dubbed the “Boogeyman” begins a murderous spree. Local investigator Ujjwalan, played by Dhyan Sreenivasan, teams up with CI Shambu Mahadev (Siju Wilson) and a crew of police officers to uncover the truth behind the killings.

The film’s central tension lies in whether Ujjwalan can decode the mystery and restore calm to the haunted village. Blending humour with suspense, the film is a quirky mix of investigative intrigue and village life dynamics.

The Minnal Murali Connection

Detective Ujjwalan is part of the expanding Weekend Cinematic Universe (WCU) initiated by Weekend Blockbusters with the hit superhero film Minnal Murali. Though standalone, both films are set in connected fictional landscapes—Ujjwalan’s village, Plaachikkaavu, neighbours the universe of Minnal Murali. This shared world is one of the key aspects that intrigued Netflix into onboarding the film.

Cast and Crew

Main Cast:

• Dhyan Sreenivasan as Detective Ujjwalan

• Siju Wilson as CI Shambu Mahadev

• Rony David

• Kottayam Nazir

• Seema G Nair

• Ameen, Nihal Nizam, Nibraz Noushad, Shahubas, Kalabhavan Navas, Nirmal Palazhy, Josey Sijo

Crew:

• Directors & Writers: Indraneel Gopikrishnan and Rahul G (debut)

• Producer: Sophia Paul

• Banner: Weekend Blockbusters

Box Office Performance

Released on May 23, 2025, the film was made on a modest budget of ₹4.5 crore and managed to earn ₹6.5 crore at the Indian box office. It performed reasonably well considering its niche genre and debutant filmmakers.

Critical Reception

While the movie found an audience at the box office, critical reception was mixed. ETimes gave the film a 2.5 out of 5 rating, commenting on its missed opportunities in storytelling:

“The film lacks the core elements that make detective stories compelling—twists, logic-defying brilliance, and emotional engagement. Though the village setting is charming and characters like Ujjwalan are endearing, the film suffers from an anti-climactic execution. Talented comic actors like Ameen and Shahubas are also underutilized.”

What to Expect on OTT

Viewers tuning in to Detective Ujjwalan on Netflix can expect:

• A unique blend of rural humour and mystery

• A quirky detective protagonist navigating a spooky case

• A setting that interconnects with the Minnal Murali universe

• Strong ensemble performances with comic undertones

With its upcoming Netflix release, Detective Ujjwalan is likely to gain a broader audience and join the list of Malayalam films pushing genre boundaries. Whether you’re a fan of the Weekend Cinematic Universe or simply enjoy offbeat investigative dramas, this village mystery offers a fresh, if imperfect, take on the detective genre.

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