'Ronth' Review: Gripping Slow-Burn From Kabir, Dileesh Pothan-Roshan Mathew Leave A Powerful Mark

Shahi Kabir’s latest Malayalam film, Ronth, hit the theatres on June 13, 2025, and has since sparked considerable buzz among critics and cinephiles alike. The latest Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew starrer cop drama, set in the backdrop of a single night shift, peels the layers of two police officers’ lives who are on ‘ronth’ duty, or night patrol. Those familiar with Kabir’s previous cop dramas, such as Nayattu and Joseph, were keenly awaiting the film’s release, and now that it’s out in the theatres, here’s a roundup of what fans and critics are saying about Ronth.

The plot of Ronth

Ronth follows two police officers, 'Sub-Inspector Yohannan' (played by Dileesh Pothan), a seasoned and morally ambiguous senior cop, and 'Dinanath' (played by Roshan Mathew), his idealistic junior, as they navigate the dark alleys of the city on night patrol. Interestingly, the whole story unfolds within a single night as the officer duo follows through with their assignment, meanwhile navigating their own inner conflicts. Unlike Kabir’s previous cop dramas, Ronth leans less on the sensational aspect and more on a subdued tension, making it a complex tale and adding a human angle to on-duty officers.

What are audiences saying about Ronth?

The early viewers of the cop drama have already started flooding social media with their reviews of Ronth, and the reactions have largely been positive. Viewers are already calling it one of the best Malayalam films of 2025, with Pothan and Roshan being the major highlights. However, some are calling the climax of the story predictable, but it hasn’t taken away from the slow-burn charm of the story. 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote, “#Ronth - Shahi Kabir Strikes Again. A Realistic Cop Story Based On Night Petroling, Having The Flavour of Nayattu, Which Fully Engages From Start To End. Superb Writing, Except in Predictable Climax & Superb Performance of Dileesh Pothan & Roshan is the Major Highlight. 3.7/5.” Another user noted:

“#Ronth is one of the best films of the year, and one of Shahi Kabir’s best works so far. Like every other screenplay of his, this one too is super atmospheric and extremely haunting. The performances by Dileesh Pothan and Roshan are brilliant, to say the least. Go watch.”

It looks like Sahil Kabir’s cop drama has packed a punch yet again, and this time, viewers say the brownie points go to the realistic aspect of the story, the stellar acting, and the gripping background score, which adds to the thrill. One viewer wrote: 

“Shahi Kabir delivers a gripping and realistic cop drama with a superb first half, impressive BGM, and standout performances by Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew. This is easily one of 2025’s best Malayalam movies. Overall, a solid, must-watch thriller.”

What are critics saying?

Critics across leading publications have offered a mixed-to-positive response to Ronth. While the film received applause for portraying the human aspects of police officers, some noted that the script downplays the misuse of power in attempts to overly humanise problematic cop characters.

The Hindu praised the film as an "engrossing cop drama that does not miss a beat," highlighting its restrained storytelling and realistic portrayal of police life. The review commends Kabir’s script for avoiding melodrama and instead relying on small, meaningful details that reveal the characters’ moral struggles. 

Meanwhile, The Indian Express rated Ronth 3.5/5 stars and noted that while the film shares thematic similarities with Kabir’s Nayattu, it corrects some of the missteps in the latter’s narratives to offer a more nuanced and sensitive take on its flawed protagonists. However, the review points out the recurring issue of downplaying power misuse. The Times of India has also rated it 3.5/5 stars, calling it a “haunting, thought-provoking police drama”. As of now, Ronth has an impressive 9/10 rating on IMDb.

Final verdict

Ronth seems to be emerging as a solid addition to Malayalam cinema’s growing list of realistic cop dramas, thanks to Shahi Kabir. Despite its deliberate pacing and relatively predictable ending, viewers and critics note that the film’s attention to detail, grounded storytelling, and the exceptional performances of Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew make it a worthwhile watch. If you appreciate character-driven narratives over action-heavy spectacles, Ronth might just be the perfect addition to your list this weekend.

Have you watched Ronth yet?

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