By ‘Pravinkoodu Shappu’ Day 1 Box Office: Basil Joseph’s Crime Thriller Earns ₹1.35 Crore on Opening
Basil Joseph’s latest crime mystery film, Pravinkoodu Shappu, has had an impressive opening at the box office, earning ₹1.35 crore in net collections in India on its first day. Released on January 16, 2025, the film has received positive initial reactions from audiences.
According to Sacnilk, Pravinkoodu Shappu recorded an overall Malayalam occupancy of 27.57% on its opening day. Morning shows reported 19.59% occupancy, which steadily rose to 19.02% in the afternoon, 26.58% in the evening, and peaked at 45.10% during night shows.
Directed by debutant Sreeraj Sreenivasan, Pravinkoodu Shappu (translated as Pravinkoodu Toddy Shop) is a satirical crime thriller set in a rustic toddy shop in Thrissur. The story revolves around the investigation of a mysterious murder within the shop, blending suspense with dark humor to deliver a fresh perspective on the crime genre.
The film features an ensemble cast led by Basil Joseph, Soubin Shahir, and Chemban Vinod Jose, with Chandini Sreedharan, Shivajith, Shabareesh Varma, and Revathi in supporting roles. With positive audience feedback and growing momentum, the film is expected to continue its successful box office run.
ETimes rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, describing it as a promising attempt that ultimately falters in execution. The review notes, “Basil Joseph plays SI Santhosh CJ, a seemingly perceptive – or perhaps clueless – investigator handling a murder case. At the interval, Santosh believes he has identified the culprit, leaving the audience to wonder what the second half will unravel. However, the latter half raises more questions than it answers, with unresolved plot points and inconsistent character development.”
The review also highlights the film’s strong stylistic elements, such as Shyju Khalid’s cinematography, Shafeeq Mohammed Ali’s editing, Vishnu Vijay’s music, and Vishnu Govind’s sound design, which shine in sequences like a school bus chase involving Kannan’s scooter. Despite these strengths and quirky characters reminiscent of KG George’s cult classic Yavanika, the review concludes that the film fails to maintain its grip in its overly long second half, leaving it feeling more like a “why-dunnit” than a compelling crime drama.
