Salute Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan's riveting cop drama is replete with new ideas

Salute, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, is an engaging police procedural drama featuring Dulquer Salmaan and Manoj K Jayan. The film is not your usual cop thriller, but it's interesting, nevertheless.

Dulquer Salmaan's Aravind Karunakaran is a former sub-inspector who is on long leave. He enters the Maranalloor police station to reopen the Martin-Sheeba murder case that he had investigated three years ago. But, the inspectors at the police station hesitate to hand over the case files to him. Aravind is a man who commands respect. But, he is also a police officer who is forced to plant evidence to frame a convict due to political and other external pressures.

Salute starts off with this scene and grabs your attention right from the get-go. It makes you ask questions about the murder case, Aravind's long leave and why he is reopening the case. Three years ago, Aravind, along with his brother Ajith Karunakaran, and three other police officers, closed the Martin-Sheeba case by framing an innocent man. What happens when a police officer's conscience comes in the way forms the story.

Director Rosshan Andrrews' Salute is replete with new ideas. The cop drama stays away from glorifying custodial torture. It does not have a hero in khaki, drifting in sumo cars. Instead, it portrays the life of policemen who had to face pressure from superiors to close a murder case. What is extremely appealing about Salute is that it does not take the familiar route. We don't really get to see the actual murder. It is through the evidence that we understand what has happened. It keeps us engrossed throughout.

But, there are some crazy coincidences which we need to look past to know who the killer is. For example, Aravind Karunakaran always chances upon clues when he's stuck. It is also commendable that the villain is actually faceless in this largely entertaining cop drama. Another interesting aspect of Salute is Dulquer's Aravind taking on his brother Ajith (played by Manoj). The conflict between the two brothers and their ways of functioning are poles apart. This makes the proceedings riveting.

Here's the trailer of Salute:

Dulquer Salmaan as sub-inspector Aravind Karunakaran is brilliant in this procedural drama. He shows the helplessness in his eyes, which turned out to be quite effective. But, it is Manoj, who steals the show with his performance. The film does not need women as they are there as mere supporting characters.Cop dramas are mostly about cracking a case or policemen who indulge in custodial torture. Among such films, Salute stands tall. If only the director had done away with some of the obvious clues, the film would have had a much better impact.

Cinematographer Aslam K Pruayil and music director Jakes Bejoy's work was perfect for the film. Binu Pappu, Saikumar, Alencier Ley Lopez and Sudheer Karamana's performances as supporting characters helped Salute to become what it is.