Suthradaari Movie Review : Chandan Shetty debuts as a reckless cop in this formulaic thriller

The film opens with a tragic suicide, setting a dark tone and signalling the start of a mystery-laden narrative. Soon after, we meet Vijay (Chandan Shetty), a madman cop known for his reckless methods, street-style justice, and frequent suspensions. When a string of industrialists are mysteriously kidnapped and later found dead by suicide, Vijay is brought back from suspension into the force to investigate the bizarre pattern. As he delves deeper, he begins to suspect a larger conspiracy, realising that the victims may just be pawns in a much bigger game.
This marks the acting debut of Kannada rapper and independent music artist Chandan Shetty, who brings his trademark energy to the role. While his performance is decent, there is room for growth as an actor. However, he compensates with a pulsating background score that helps maintain the film’s momentum. His musical presence is strongly felt, especially with two songs placed early in the movie that cater to his fan base.
Directed by Kiran Kumar, also a debutant, Suthradaari sticks closely to the crime thriller formula. It features the expected genre staples: an anti-hero cop, a romantic subplot with Advika (Apurva), a colleague sidekick in Kalidasa (Tabla Nani), a backstory involving the protagonist’s father, suspenseful twists, and a whodunit setup where everyone is a potential suspect. Producer Navarasan also plays a notable supporting role. Though the film checks all the boxes, it doesn’t quite break new ground. In a genre already crowded with similar narratives, the story feels somewhat predictable and derivative.
Technically, the film is serviceable. The direction is straightforward, and while the film maintains a decent pace, it lacks visual flair and innovation. It does the job without much experimentation. Story-wise, the opening shows promise, especially with the mysterious deaths. But this serious tone is often disrupted by Vijay’s overly flirtatious behaviour, which feels out of place in the first 30 minutes.
For fans of Chandan Shetty or lovers of crime thrillers, Suthradaari offers moments of entertainment through its music, energy, and quirky portrayal of a rugged cop caught in a high-stakes investigation. The title, meaning "puppeteer," cleverly hints that the real mastermind may not be who you expect—an intriguing twist at the heart of the film.

By Susmita Sameera