The film The Pet Detective stars Sharaf U Dheen, Anupama Parameswaran, Vinay Forrt, Vijayaraghavan, and Joemon Jyothir, and is directed by Praneesh Vijayan. This 118-minute caper follows an unlucky detective whose pursuit of a missing pet case quickly snowballs into a much larger, more dangerous predicament involving various characters.
Picture this: a kidnapped girl, a vanished dog, stolen exotic fish, a notorious Mexican mafia boss, some lesser dons, a psychopath, a clumsy cop, and our titular pet detective. Keeping tabs on the sheer number of subplots packed into Praneesh Vijayan’s debut film, The Pet Detective, almost requires a literal checklist. The filmmakers seem to acknowledge this potential for confusion, even having a character periodically recap events to prevent viewers from getting completely lost. This chaotic blend, however, aims for a lighthearted, comic-book vibe where nothing feels too serious – even a feared mafia don occasionally becomes a comedic figure. The movie tries to harness this energetic humor through its direction, editing, and exaggerated performances. Unfortunately, for all its ambition, only a few of the jokes truly hit their mark.
Tony Jose Alula (played by Sharaf U Dheen) inherits his father’s detective agency, hoping to prove himself and impress his girlfriend, Kaikeyi (Anupama Parameswaran). But his track record is dismal, with no solved cases to his name. A seemingly simple case of a missing pet offers a glimmer of hope, transforming him into a ‘pet detective’ in the vein of Ace Ventura. However, this seemingly minor investigation quickly plunges him into a far more complex web of intrigue involving numerous shady characters. Adding to the chaos, a persistent policeman (Vinay Forrt), who also harbors feelings for Kaikeyi, is hot on Tony’s trail, working the same case.
A Web of Parallel Events
The screenplay, crafted by director Praneesh Vijayan and Jai Vishnu, incorporates many classic tropes from comic capers, featuring multiple intertwining storylines and eccentric personalities. Yet, a significant number of these characters fail to leave a lasting impression, a clear sign of underdeveloped writing and characterization. Even talented actor Vinayakan finds himself in a largely forgettable and rather meaningless role. Only Sharaf U Dheen, Anupama Parameswaran, and Vijayaraghavan manage to make a noticeable impact. Much of the plot’s convoluted nature, with its numerous threads, stems directly from this lack of clear character definition.
Despite these flaws, the screenplay does offer some engaging moments, particularly in how the detective’s former schoolmates are introduced at different points, each with their own intriguing backstory. A definite highlight of the film is the chaotic, climactic showdown set within a theme park. Here, all the characters converge in a glorious muddle, evoking the comedic spirit of classic Priyadarshan films. While parts of this extended sequence might feel a bit like an advertisement for the park, with scenes spread across various rides, it ultimately provides the necessary boost to elevate the film into the realm of ‘average’ entertainment.
Ultimately, ‘The Pet Detective’ only achieves moderate success in its ambitious attempt to transport audiences into a vibrant comic book world.