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{{Short description|2024 Indian Malayalam | {{Short description|2024 Indian Malayalam crime thriller film}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}} | {{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}} | ||
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| director = [[Midhun Manuel Thomas]] | | director = [[Midhun Manuel Thomas]] | ||
| producer = {{ubl|Irshad M. Hassan|Midhun Manuel Thomas}} | | producer = {{ubl|Irshad M. Hassan|Midhun Manuel Thomas}} | ||
| writer = Randheer Krishnan | | writer = Dr.Randheer Krishnan | ||
| starring = [[Jayaram]] | | starring = [[Jayaram]]<br />[[Mammootty]]<br />[[Anoop Menon]]<br />[[Anaswara Rajan]]<br />[[Arjun Ashokan]] | ||
| music = [[Midhun Mukundan]] | | music = [[Midhun Mukundan]] | ||
| cinematography = [[Theni Eswar]] | | cinematography = [[Theni Eswar]] | ||
| editing = Shameer Muhammed | | editing = [[Shameer Muhammed]] | ||
| released = {{Film date|2024|1|11|df=y}} | | released = {{Film date|2024|1|11|df=y}} | ||
| runtime = 144 minutes | | runtime = 144 minutes | ||
| studio = Nerambokku | | studio = Nerambokku<br />Manual Movie Makers | ||
| distributor = Ann Mega Media | | distributor = Ann Mega Media | ||
| country = India | | country = India | ||
| language = Malayalam | | language = Malayalam | ||
| budget = | | budget = | ||
| gross = | | gross = {{INR}}40.05 crore<ref name = " Bo">{{Cite news |date=2024-02-09 |title='Abraham Ozler' achieves box office milestone, surpasses Rs 40 crore in final collections |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/watch-abraham-ozler-achieves-box-office-milestone-surpasses-rs-40-crore-in-final-collections/articleshow/107547119.cms |access-date=2024-11-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Abraham Ozler''''' is a 2024 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[ | '''''Abraham Ozler''''' is a 2024 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[crime thriller film]] co-produced and directed by [[Midhun Manuel Thomas]] and written by Randheer Krishnan.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Is 'Anjaam Paathira' director Midhun Manuel teaming up with Jayaram for a medical thriller? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/is-anjaam-paathira-director-midhun-manuel-teaming-up-with-jayaram-for-a-medical-thriller/articleshow/100356988.cms |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Fans excited to see Jayaram's stylish look in Midhun Manuel's 'Abraham Ozler' |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/05/20/jayaram-midhun-manuel-thomas-abraham-ozler-mollywood-thriller.html |work=Manorama Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Jayaram says he deliberately took a break from Malayalam film industry: 'I have great hope for Abraham Ozler' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/jayaram-deliberately-took-break-from-malayalam-industry-great-hope-abraham-ozler-8697342/ |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> The film stars [[Jayaram]] in the titular role alongside [[Mammootty]] in an extended cameo role with [[Anaswara Rajan]], [[Anoop Menon]], [[Arjun Ashokan]], [[Saiju Kurup]], [[Arya Salim]], [[Senthil Krishna]], [[Jagadish]], [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Saikumar]] and [[Dileesh Pothan]] in supporting roles.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Actor Jayaram's Salt-and-pepper Look For Malayalam Film Abraham Ozler Viral |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/actor-jayarams-salt-and-pepper-look-for-malayalam-film-abraham-ozler-viral-7948603.html |work=[[News18 India]]}}</ref> The film revolves around [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Abraham Ozler's efforts to investigate the death of an [[IT]] employee and capture a serial killer, also known as "Birthday Killer". | ||
The project was announced on 19 May 2023. [[Principal photography]] began on 20 May 2023. The film was shot across locations including Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Idukki and Wayanad. The filming wrapped up on 14 November 2023. The music was composed by [[Midhun Mukundan]] while cinematography and editing were handled by [[Theni Eswar]] and [[Shameer Muhammed]], respectively. | |||
''Abraham Ozler'' was initially set to be released on 25 December 2023, but the release date was postponed to 11 January 2024. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its acting, cinematography, direction, and musical score, but criticism for its script. The film earned {{INR}}40.05 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of Jayaram's career in leading role.<ref>{{Cite web |title=തിരിച്ചടികൾക്കൊടുവിൽ 'ജയറാംസ് ഒാൾട്ടർണേറ്റിവ്': ഓസ്ലർ റിവ്യു |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-reviews/2024/01/11/abraham-ozler-movie-review-jayaram-starrer-crime-thriller-midhun-manuel-thomas.html |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=www.manoramaonline.com |language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=nirmal |title=അപൂര്വ്വ നേട്ടം! നാലാം വാരത്തിലെ സ്ക്രീന് കൗണ്ട് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ച് 'ഓസ്ലര്' നിര്മ്മാതാക്കള് |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/abraham-ozler-forth-week-theatre-list-announced-jayaram-mammootty-midhun-manule-thomas-nsn-s886xk |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref><ref name = " Bo"/> | |||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
{{Long plot|date=August 2024}} | |||
'''Past''': [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Abraham Ozler is on vacation with his wife Anisha and daughter Jenny. He receives a call that requires him to investigate a double murder, and promptly leaves in his car. Mid-journey, he realizes that the call was faked and rushes back to find both Anisha and Jenny missing. Later Vineeth, a drug addict, admits to kidnapping both of them, hacking them to pieces and burying the pieces in a forest to take revenge on Ozler for arresting him in a [[narcotics]] case. However, Vineeth claims that he had taken a large dosage of prescription drugs that night and consequently does not remember where the pieces were buried. | |||
The | '''Present''': Three years later, Ozler is chronically [[Depression (mood)|depressed]] [[Insomnia|insomniac]] who experiences [[Hallucination|hallucinations]] due to lack of sleep. He never received closure and remains distraught and miserable, as he cannot find his wife's and daughter's remains in spite of regularly visiting and questioning a now convicted Vineeth. He is also investigating a series of murders with his subordinates [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Divya Sreedharan and Sijo T Venu. The killer leaves birthday cards at each murder scene, and the cards all have parts of the Latin quote, "Let conversation cease. Let laughter flee. This is where death rejoices to help the living". The killer is dubbed "The Birthday Killer" by the media. As the team unravels the connections, they discover Krishnadas, a man using an [[Electrolarynx|artificial larynx]], as a key suspect. They also learn that he was a prodigious singer as a teenager, and lost his voice due to a surgery mishap. | ||
Delving into the past, Ozler discovers a shared history among the victim's parents: Shivakumar and Selvaraj. They were postgraduate medical students at [[Kozhikode Medical College]] in 1989. Shivakumar, Selvaraj, Xavi Punnoose (a retired police surgeon) and Alexander Joseph (now living in Dubai) were all found to have been friends and batchmates. They were recorded as having gotten into an accident, after which they parted ways. Meanwhile, Krishnadas breaks into Alexander's house and attempts to abduct him but is thwarted and arrested by Ozler. But even as Krishnadas is in custody, Xavi is kidnapped. Ozler then discovers that the Alexander in Dubai was a fake all along and that the real Alexander was still active and had abducted Xavi. The real Alexander attempts to kill Xavi in the same manner as the previous victims, but is arrested by Ozler and his men at the last minute. While in custody, he reveals his true motives. | |||
'''1989''': Alexander was a dedicated postgraduate student at the surgery department of [[Kozhikode Medical College]]. Xavi, a fellow student of surgery, was inept compared to Alexander, and was consequently jealous as the professors favored the latter's skill. Shivakumar, a student of General Medicine, developed hatred towards Alexander for starting a relationship with first year [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MBBS]] student Suja Jayadev, whom Shivakumar had been pursuing relentlessly. Selvaraj, a student of [[Anesthesia]] and a drug addict, was expelled after Alexander caught him getting high and reported the latter to the faculty. | |||
During this time, Krishnadas was admitted to the Medical College due to a tumor in his throat, which affected his voice. Alexander was designated to assist in the surgery and he chooses Xavi to help him. During the surgery, Alexander was unexpectedly required to take the lead and he requested Xavi to cut the tie inside Krishnadas's neck. Xavi, fueled by jealousy and bitterness, cuts Krishnadas's [[Vocal cords|vocal cord]] - which is why he lost his voice. | |||
Alexander reported Xavi's intentional act to the faculty, Xavi is blacklisted and both are suspended due to Alexander being the first assistant. Under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the enraged and bitter Selvaraj, Xavi and Shivakumar brutalized Alexander, putting him in a coma. Once sober, they fabricated an accident, faked injuries on themselves and told everyone that a drunk Alexander took them for a drive and crashed the car. Suja becomes depressed after this. One day, doctors suggested that Alexander's life support be removed and he be allowed to die peacefully. A heartbroken Suja lost all hope after overhearing this and committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving bus. In a fateful twist of irony, Alexander awakened on the 1st day of her death. After years of nursing care, he regained movement but loses most of his postgraduate memories due to [[dissociative amnesia]], including Suja, Xavi, Shivakumar and Selvaraj. 3 years ago, Alexander saw a TV program featuring Krishnadas, where some old videos of the latter singing are shown. This triggered his memories and Alexander slowly recollected his past. He learned about Suja's death and met up with a then wayward Krishnadas, and they planned the murders together. | |||
'''Present''': Xavi meets Alexander and Krishnadas in Ozler's custody and shows no remorse at all. Ozler regrets saving Xavi and tells him plainly that he deserved death. Astonishingly, Xavi dies on stage of [[cardiac arrest]] at the release ceremony of his autobiography. Seconds before this happens, Ozler receives a call where the forensic surgeon Satheesh Madhavan reveals that Alexander had poisoned Xavi and all the victims with [[methylene blue]] and [[agar-agar]], a lethal bacteria-infected [[Surgical instrument|surgical ink]] before making cuts on their bodies. Later, it is shown that the truth gets revealed - Shivakumar is found dead in his car, while Selvaraj becomes drunk and his wife leaves him, realizing that he caused their son's murder. | |||
On his routine visit to Vineeth in prison, Ozler encounters Alexander and Krishnadas. Alexander cryptically utters "[[Human skeleton|Bone]] Residue", hinting at an unresolved truth about Ozler's family. Ozler realizes that if a bladed weapon is used to hack flesh, bone residue will always be present on the blade even after chemical washing. Ozler confronts Vineeth about this and the latter, unrepentant, challenges Ozler to dig deeper for the truth. | |||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
{{cast listing| | {{cast listing| | ||
* [[Jayaram]] as [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Abraham Ozler [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] | * [[Jayaram]] as [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Abraham Ozler [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] | ||
* [[Anaswara Rajan]] as Suja Jayadev, Alexander's girlfriend | * [[Mammootty]] as Dr. Alexander Joseph / ''Birthday Killer'' | ||
** Adam Sabiq as Young Alexander | |||
* [[Anaswara Rajan]] as Suja Jayadev, Alexander's girlfriend | |||
* [[Saiju Kurup]] as Krishnadas PS, Alexander's Associate | |||
** Joseph Mathews as Young Krishnadas | |||
* [[Arjun Ashokan]] as Vineeth | * [[Arjun Ashokan]] as Vineeth | ||
* [[Anoop Menon]] as Dr. Satheesh Madhavan | * [[Anoop Menon]] as Dr. Satheesh Madhavan, police surgeon and Ozler's friend | ||
* [[Arya Salim]] as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Divya Sreedharan | |||
* [[Senthil Krishna]] as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Sijo T. Venu | |||
* [[Arya Salim]] as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Divya Sreedharan | * [[Jagadish]] as Dr. Xavi Punnoose, retired police surgeon | ||
* [[Senthil Krishna]] as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Sijo T Venu | |||
* [[Jagadish]] as Dr. Xavi Punnoose | |||
** Shivaraj as Young Xavi | ** Shivaraj as Young Xavi | ||
* | * [[Dileesh Pothan]] as Sudhakaran Payyarath / Dr. Alexander Joseph (Fake) | ||
* Ravi Venkatraman as Selvaraj | * Ravi Venkatraman as Selvaraj | ||
** Shajeer P. Basheer as Young Selvaraj | ** Shajeer P. Basheer as Young Selvaraj | ||
* | * Kumarakom Raghunath as Dr. Shivakumar | ||
* [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)| | ** Shiva Hariharan as Young Shivakumar | ||
* [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Saikumar]] as Counsellor, Ozler's friend (Cameo) | |||
* [[Arjun Nandhakumar]] as Dr. Arun Jayadev, Suja's younger brother | * [[Arjun Nandhakumar]] as Dr. Arun Jayadev, Suja's younger brother | ||
* [[Assim Jamal]] as [[Deputy Inspector General of Police|DIG]] Prasad Rajan [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] | |||
* [[Harikrishnan (Malayalam actor)|Harikrishnan]] as Naveen Shivakumar | |||
* [[Aneesh Gopal]] as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Sarath | * [[Aneesh Gopal]] as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Sarath | ||
* [[Prasanth Alexander]] as Dr. Salam | |||
* [[Maala Parvathi|Parvathi T. ]] as Dr. Annapoorneswari | |||
* [[Boban Alummoodan]] as Dr. Sreedharan Nambiar | |||
* [[Anju Kurian]] as Aneesha, Ozler's wife | |||
* Saniya as Jennifer / Jenni, Ozler's daughter | |||
* Darshana Sudarshan Nair as Maya | |||
* Priya Sreejith as Sister Teena | |||
* Sheethal Zackaria as Sister Jyothi | |||
* Sivarenjini as Sister Seenath | |||
* [[Sreeram Ramachandran]] as Speech Therapist | * [[Sreeram Ramachandran]] as Speech Therapist | ||
* | * [[Krishna Prasad (actor)|Krishna Prasad]] as MRI Technician | ||
* | * Rajan Poothrakkal as Raghavan | ||
* | * Mani Shornur as Dr. Zakariah | ||
* | * Habeeb Thrissur as Dr. Govindaraj | ||
* [[ | * [[Jolly Chirayath]] as CEO Sasikala | ||
* Nandhan Unni as Ambulance Driver Mani | |||
* Lali Marakkar as Krishnadas's mother | |||
* Devendranath as Dr. Eshwaran Potty | |||
* Rakesh Pattu as Ashok Selvaraj | * Rakesh Pattu as Ashok Selvaraj | ||
* | * Rini Udayakumar as Raghavan's wife | ||
* | * Mani as Lorry Driver Sivankutty | ||
* | * Shaize as Duty M O | ||
* | * Uma K P as Dr. Aysha Sathyaraj | ||
* Thulasi as Swapna, Suja's friend | |||
* | |||
* Maya Menon as Alexander's mother | * Maya Menon as Alexander's mother | ||
* Sonia Giri as Xavi's wife | * Sonia Giri as Xavi's wife | ||
* Kala as Shivakumar's wife | * Kala as Shivakumar's wife | ||
* Maya as Selvaraj's wife | * Maya as Selvaraj's wife | ||
* Nidhin Sasidharan as Ajeesh | |||
* Kumariyamma as Ajeesh's mother | |||
* [[Benyamin (writer)|Benyamin]] as Himself (Cameo) | |||
* [[Midhun Manuel Thomas]] as Leader (Cameo) | |||
}} | |||
'' | == Production == | ||
=== Development === | |||
After the success of ''[[Anjaam Pathiraa|Anjaam Pathira]]'' (2020), [[Midhun Manuel Thomas]] wanted to direct a film featuring [[Kunchacko Boban|Kunchako Boban]]. However, the commencement of shooting didn't occur due to various reasons. It was during that time that director John Manthrikkal narrated a story to Midhun which was written by ortho surgeon Dr. Randheer Krishnan. He liked the story and decided to direct the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-07 |title=ട്രെയിലറിൽ കാണാത്ത താരങ്ങൾ ഓസ്ലറിലുണ്ട്, ആട്-3 ചെയ്യാൻ സമ്മർദം- മിഥുൻ മാനുവൽ തോമസ് |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/abraham-ozler-movie-director-midhun-manuel-thomas-interview-1.9219185 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref> | |||
In an interview with Anandu Suresh of ''[[The Indian Express]]'', Midhun revealed that the film's titular protagonist was named after the Canadian physician [[William Osler]], regarded as the 'Father of Modern Medicine'. He also revealed that he had initially included a backstory, explaining that Abraham Ozler's father, a doctor, named his son after his favorite physician with the hope that Abraham would also become a physician like his father.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Who is Abraham Ozler? Director Midhun Manuel Thomas breaks down his new Jayaram film and other thrillers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/who-is-abraham-ozler-director-midhun-manuel-thomas-breaks-down-jayaram-film-other-thrillers-interview-9100787/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The film marked Midhun's return to direction after a four-year hiatus. Meanwhile, he had penned the screenplay for ''[[Garudan (2023 film)|Garudan]]'' (2023) and ''[[Phoenix (2023 film)|Phoenix]]'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Who is Abraham Ozler? Director Midhun Manuel Thomas breaks down his new Jayaram film and other thrillers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/who-is-abraham-ozler-director-midhun-manuel-thomas-breaks-down-jayaram-film-other-thrillers-interview-9100787/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
=== Casting === | |||
Midhun approached Jayaram to play the titular role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=2024-01-07 |title=I Told Jayaram Sir That If He Turns Down Abraham Ozler, I Would Shelve It: Midhun Manuel Thomas |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/interviews/malayalam-interview/i-told-jayaram-sir-that-if-he-turns-down-abraham-ozler-i-would-shelve-it-midhun-manuel-thomas |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |language=en}}</ref> Initially, Jayaram was hesitant to commit to the project as he believed that it was unlike any film he had done till now. He believed it was a heavy character and had to appear in two timelines with different looks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-11 |title=Jayaram reveals why he hesitated to take on the role of 'Abraham Ozler |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/jayaram-reveals-why-he-hesitated-to-take-on-the-role-of-abraham-ozler/articleshow/106719152.cms |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> However, he agreed to play the role as Midhun convinced him. In preparing for the role, Jayaram put in some weight and grew a long beard with a tired look to fit the character. ''Abraham Ozler'' marks Jayaram's second Malayalam venture since 2019. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=2024-01-06 |title=I Was Initially Hesitant To Play Abraham Ozler: Jayaram |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/interviews/malayalam-interview/i-was-initially-hesitant-to-play-abraham-ozler-jayaram-midhun-manuel-thomas-guntur-kaaram-trivikram |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |language=en}}</ref> | |||
There were reports that Mammootty would have a 15-minute cameo appearance in the film which was denied.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-22 |title=Is Mammootty playing a 15-minute cameo role in Jayaram's 'Abraham Ozler'? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/is-mammootty-playing-a-15-minute-cameo-role-in-jayarams-abraham-ozler/articleshow/100417890.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Reports suggested that Mammootty would have a screen-time of over 45 minutes in the film, and it was also reported that he would be playing a negative role, which was unconfirmed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mammootty's role in Jayaram and Midhun Manuel Thomas's Abraham Ozler – All you need to know |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/mammoottys-role-in-jayaram-and-midhun-manuel-thomass-abraham-ozler-all-you-need-to-know/6bfcccaedc666 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> Regarding Mammootty's cameo, Jayaram revealed that Mammootty was not the first choice to play the role of Alexander. The makers approached actors [[Sathyaraj]], [[R. Sarathkumar]], [[Prakash Raj]], and others.<ref name="pinkvilla.com">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title='Mammootty was not the first choice': Jayaram opens up about the cameo role in Abraham Ozler |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/mammotty-was-not-the-first-choice-jayaram-opens-up-about-cameo-role-in-abraham-ozler-1271813 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en}}</ref> Midhun said that, when he narrated the story of ''Abraham Ozler'' to Mammootty, he liked the script and asked him if he could play the antagonist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Midhun Manuel Thomas Interview: ജയറാമിനെ റീലോഞ്ച് ചെയ്യുന്ന ചിത്രത്തില് മമ്മൂട്ടി എങ്ങനെയെത്തി? മിഥുന് മാനുവല് തോമസ് അഭിമുഖം |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/celebrity-interviews/mammootty-asked-the-role-in-abraham-ozler-midhun-manuel-thomas-interview-jayaram-nsn-s73n9v |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.asianetnews.com}}</ref> Midhun was apprehensive about casting Mammootty. However, Jayaram convinced him to give the role to Mammootty.<ref name="pinkvilla.com"/> Midhun met Mammootty again, who consented to play the role of Alexander.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-16 |title=Jayaram reveals Mammootty was not the first choice for Alexander's role in 'Abraham Ozler' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/jayaram-reveals-mammootty-was-not-the-first-choice-for-alexanders-role-in-abraham-ozler/articleshow/106887405.cms |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> | |||
=== Filming === | |||
The project was announced on 19 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayaram teams up with Midhun Manuel Thomas for Abraham Ozler |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/may/19/jayaram-teams-up-with-midhun-manuel-thomas-for-abraham-ozler-43643.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=19 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] began on 20 May 2023 in [[Mission Quarters]] in [[Thrissur]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayaram-Midhun Manuel Thomas film Abraham Ozler begins |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/may/20/jayaram-midhun-manuel-thomas-film-abraham-ozler-begins-43661.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=20 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Producer Irshad M. Hassan performed the switch-on ceremony.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-22 |title=Malayalam Actor Jayaram-starrer Medical Crime-drama Abraham Ozler Goes On Floors |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/malayalam-actor-jayaram-starrer-medical-crime-drama-abraham-ozler-goes-on-floors-7885651.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> The first scene was reportedly shot between Jayaram and Sai Kumar.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Web Desk |date=20 May 2023 |title=അഞ്ചാം പാതിരക്ക് ശേഷം വീണ്ടും ക്രൈം ത്രില്ലറുമായി മിഥുന് മാനുവല്; ജയറാം നായകന് |url=https://www.mediaoneonline.com/entertainment/abraham-ozlers-first-look-jayaram-is-all-set-for-his-comeback-to-mollywood-218646 |access-date=15 November 2023 |website=MediaOne |language=ml}}</ref> Apart from Thrissur, [[Palakkad]], [[Coimbatore]], [[Idukki]] and [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] were the other shooting locations.<ref name=":0" /> The filming [[Wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] up on 14 November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's a wrap for Jayaram's Abraham Ozler |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/nov/14/its-a-wrap-for-jayarams-abraham-ozler-49532.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=14 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Music == | |||
The film's music was composed by [[Midhun Mukundan]]. It consists of one track, ''Poomaname'', from the 1985 film ''[[Nirakkoottu]].'' The track was originally composed by [[Shyam (composer)|Shyam]] and the lyrics were written by [[Poovachal Khader]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=nithya |title=മമ്മൂട്ടി അന്ന് നായകൻ, ഇന്ന് അതിഥി വേഷം, ഒരേയൊരു പാട്ട് 'പൂമാനമേ..' |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/mammootty-and-jayaram-movie-ozler-poomaname-song-goes-viral-nirakkoottu-nrn-s79f0g |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref> The song was sung by Nitin K. Siva, while the original song was by [[K. S. Chithra]], [[G. Venugopal]] and [[K. G. Markose]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abraham Ozler {{!}} Song - Poomaname {{!}} Malayalam Video Songs - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/malayalam/abraham-ozler-song-poomaname/videoshow/107405869.cms |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Release == | |||
=== Theatrical === | |||
The film was initially scheduled to release on 25 December 2023, on the occasion of Christmas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayaram's Abraham Ozler to arrive on Christmas |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/sep/25/jayarams-abraham-ozler-to-arrive-on-christmas-47992.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=25 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The release date was postponed to 11 January 2024 to avoid a clash with other major Christmas releases.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-06 |title=Jayaram's thriller 'Abraham Ozler's release date changed! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/jayarams-thriller-abraham-ozlers-release-date-changed/articleshow/105009144.cms |access-date=2023-11-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The film was released in North America on 12 January 2024. | |||
=== Home media === | |||
''Abraham Ozler'' is released in [[Disney+ Hotstar]] on 20 March 2024 and it will also be available in [[Hindi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Kannada]] languages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Bhavana |date=2024-02-06 |title=Abraham Ozler OTT Release Date Confirmed |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/ott/abraham-ozler-to-stream-on-prime-video-check-date-881243 |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Reception == | |||
=== Critical response === | |||
Abraham Ozler received mixed reviews from critics. | |||
Gopika IS of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Jayaram starrer Abraham Ozler turned out to be an interesting watch and can undoubtedly be seen as a new phase in the actor's career."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Abraham Ozler Movie Review: Jayaram's thriller begins well but falters in places |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/abraham-ozler/movie-review/106772667.cms |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Sara Anna Eepan of [[The Week (Indian magazine)|''The Week'']] gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Abraham Ozler is worth a watch on the big screen for those interested in an investigation drama with medical thriller elements."<ref>{{Cite web |title='Abraham Ozler' review: Jayaram delivers an engaging crime thriller – The Week |url=https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2024/01/11/abraham-ozler-review-jayaram-delivers-an-engaging-crime-thriller.html |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=The Week}}</ref> | |||
Sajin Shrijith of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Abraham Ozler doesn't lack the ability to hook us, but it made me wonder whether it would've worked better as an airport novel than a film."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2024/Jan/12/abraham-ozler-review-intriguing-details-camouflage-an-unaffecting-thriller-2650111.html|title=Abraham Ozler review: Intriguing details camouflage an unaffecting thriller|website=The New Indian Express|date=12 January 2024 }}</ref> Nikhil Sebastian of ''[[Pinkvilla]]'' gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Abraham Ozler falls into the category of another half-baked thriller, relying on the performances of the actors and a brilliant original score."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Abraham Ozler Movie Review: Midhun Manuel's latest thriller with Jayaram offers a decent watch for genre enthusiasts |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/reviews/abraham-ozler-movie-review-midhun-manuels-latest-thriller-with-jayaram-offers-a-decent-watch-for-genre-enthusiasts-1270858 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Anandu Suresh of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Midhun Manuel Thomas' film can be dubbed as a crime thriller that meets the essential criteria for the genre. However, determining whether it has done a good job requires more than a simple yes/no answer."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Abraham Ozler movie review: Midhun Manuel Thomas film is mostly a letdown, saved only by a revived Jayaram and You-Know-Who |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/abraham-ozler-movie-review-midhun-manuel-thomas-film-is-mostly-a-letdown-saved-only-by-a-revived-jayaram-and-you-know-who-9104064/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> | |||
S. R. Praveen of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "The Jayaram-starrer is marred by generic treatment to the serial killer genre, with a cameo from superstar Mammootty offering only a temporary relief."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=2024-01-11 |title='Abraham Ozler' movie review: A serial killer pursuit that fizzles out soon |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/abraham-ozler-movie-review-a-serial-killer-pursuit-that-fizzles-out-soon/article67730146.ece |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
Vishal Menon of ''[[Anupama Chopra|FIlm Companion]]'' wrote "By reinventing Jayaram as an actor and by infusing so much information into a stereotypical thriller, ''Abraham Ozler'' remains fairly engaging even if you've seen it all before."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=2024-01-11 |title=Abraham Ozler Review: An All-New Jayaram In A Same Old Revenge Drama Disguised As A Serial Killer Thriller |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/malayalam-review/abraham-ozler-review-an-all-new-jayaram-in-a-same-old-revenge-drama-disguised-as-a-serial-killer-thriller-malayalam-movie |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Princy Alexander of ''[[Onmanorama]]'' wrote "The initial feeling of repetitiveness affects the thrills in the first half. However, true to the expression "to end with a bang," Midhun employs the right tactics in the second half to provide viewers with a more than satisfactory conclusion."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solid ending and a surprise cameo save the case for Midhun Manuel Thomas' 'Abraham Ozler' {{!}} Movie Review |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2024/01/11/abraham-ozler-movie-review-jayaram-midhun-manuel-thomas-mammootty.html |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref> | |||
=== Box office === | |||
''Abraham Ozler'' grossed ₹28.8&nbsp;million from [[Kerala]] and ₹60&nbsp;million worldwide, on its opening day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-18 |title=Abraham Ozler' box office collections day 7: Jayaram's thriller rakes in Rs 13.24 crores |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/abraham-ozler-box-office-collections-day-7-jayarams-thriller-rakes-in-rs-13-24-crores/articleshow/106948711.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The film grossed ₹2.34 crore on its second day, with worldwide gross exceeding ₹10 crore.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forum |first=Keralam |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Very good hold for #AbrahamOzler on its Day-2 (FRI) as the early estimates suggests Kerala gross collection in the range of ₹2.1cr to ₹2.2cr |url=https://x.com/Forumkeralam2/status/1745853390595239986?s=20 |website=Twitter}}</ref> ''Abraham Ozler'' grossed ₹2.9 crore on its third day and ₹3.19 crore on its first Sunday. The film grossed around ₹11.31 crore in its first four days from Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forum |first=Keralam |date=January 15, 2025 |title=#AbrahamOzler 4-day opening weekend Kerala Boxoffice update |url=https://x.com/Forumkeralam2/status/1746840699075539303?s=20 |website=Twitter}}</ref> The film grossed ₹22 crore worldwide in its first weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |title=mollywood Top Opening Weekend WorldWide: എണ്ണത്തില് 'കിംഗ്' മോഹന്ലാല്, ഒന്നാമത് ഈ താരം, മൂന്നില് ഒതുങ്ങി മമ്മൂട്ടി; ആദ്യവാരാന്ത്യത്തിൽ കസറിയ പടങ്ങൾ |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/box-office/mollywood-top-opening-weekend-worldwide-aadujeevitham-lucifer-bheeshma-parvam-mammootty-mohanlal-sbax2m |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=www.asianetnews.com}}</ref> | |||
The film grossed a total of $61,616 from the North America in the first weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forum |first=Keralam |date=January 16, 2024 |title=#AbrahamOzler 3-day opening weekend North America Boxoffice Reported |url=https://x.com/Forumkeralam2/status/1746894396295958897?s=20 |website=Twitter}}</ref> The film grossed ₹1.4 crore on its fifth day from the Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forum |first=Keralam |date=January 16, 2024 |title=Good Hold For #AbrahamOzler on its First working Day (MON) at Kerala Boxoffice with gross collection in the range of ₹1.4cr |url=https://x.com/Forumkeralam2/status/1747012287259390259?s=20}}</ref> The film grossed a total of ₹150&nbsp;million in its first 8 days from Kerala. The film grossed a total of ₹31&nbsp;million in its second weekend at Kerala. The film grossed a total of $1.36 million (approx ₹ 113&nbsp;million) from 11 days at the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] and [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]] box office, while it grossed ₹17&nbsp;million from ROI circuits in 11 days. In North America, the film grossed $130K in UK and Europe it grossed $150K and in Australia $17K in 11 days at the box office.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-24 |title=Abraham Ozler's box office collections day 11: Jayaram's film continues strong; mints Rs 17.25 crore |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/abraham-ozlers-box-office-collections-day-11-jayarams-film-continues-strong-mints-rs-1725-crore/articleshow/107108490.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Forum |first=Keralam |date=January 23, 2024 |title=#AbrahamOzler 11 Days UAE & GCC Boxoffice update |url=https://x.com/Forumkeralam2/status/1749729790695714865?s=20 |website=Twitter}}</ref> In 16 days, the film grossed more than ₹20 crore from Kerala and became the first commercially successful Malayalam film of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forum |first=Keralam |date=January 26, 2023 |title=#AbrahamOzler All set for another good weekend |url=https://twitter.com/Forumkeralam2/status/1750947019945091092 |website=Twitter}}</ref> The film made a total collection of ₹40.05 crore from the worldwide box office in first 30 days of its release and also emerged as the all-time highest grossing solo film in the career of its leading man Jayaram within its lifetime run at the theatres.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abraham Ozler Box Office final collections – Jayaram and Mammootty's crime thriller crosses Rs 40 crore mark |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/abraham-ozler-box-office-final-collections-jayaram-and-mammoottys-crime-thriller-crosses-rs-40-crore-mark/66b0edc5e2630 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=www.ottplay.com}}</ref> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
== External | == External links == | ||
{{IMDb title|id=tt27816710}} | * {{IMDb title|id=tt27816710}} | ||
* [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/abraham_ozler Rotten Tomatoes] | |||
{{Midhun Manuel Thomas}} | |||
[[Category:2024 Malayalam-language films]] | |||
[[Category:Films directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas]] | |||
[[Category:Films shot in Thrissur]] | |||
[[Category:Films shot in Palakkad]] | |||
[[Category:Films shot in Wayanad]] | |||
[[Category:Films shot in Coimbatore]] | |||
[[Category:Indian crime thriller films]] | |||
[[Category:Indian slasher films]] | |||
[[Category:2020s serial killer films]] | |||
[[Category:Indian serial killer films]] | |||
Revision as of 15:07, 3 March 2026
| Abraham Ozler | |
|---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Midhun Manuel Thomas |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Dr.Randheer Krishnan |
| Starring | Jayaram<br />Mammootty<br />Anoop Menon<br />Anaswara Rajan<br />Arjun Ashokan |
| Music by | Midhun Mukundan |
| Cinematography | Theni Eswar |
| Edited by | Shameer Muhammed |
Production company | Nerambokku<br />Manual Movie Makers |
| Distributed by | Ann Mega Media |
Release date |
|
Running time | 144 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Box office | ₹40.05 crore<ref name = " Bo">"'Abraham Ozler' achieves box office milestone, surpasses Rs 40 crore in final collections". The Times of India. 9 February 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 November 2024.</ref> |
Abraham Ozler is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film co-produced and directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas and written by Randheer Krishnan.<ref name=":1">"Is 'Anjaam Paathira' director Midhun Manuel teaming up with Jayaram for a medical thriller?". The Times of India.</ref><ref>"Fans excited to see Jayaram's stylish look in Midhun Manuel's 'Abraham Ozler'". Manorama Online.</ref><ref>"Jayaram says he deliberately took a break from Malayalam film industry: 'I have great hope for Abraham Ozler'". The Indian Express.</ref> The film stars Jayaram in the titular role alongside Mammootty in an extended cameo role with Anaswara Rajan, Anoop Menon, Arjun Ashokan, Saiju Kurup, Arya Salim, Senthil Krishna, Jagadish, Saikumar and Dileesh Pothan in supporting roles.<ref>"Actor Jayaram's Salt-and-pepper Look For Malayalam Film Abraham Ozler Viral". News18 India.</ref> The film revolves around ACP Abraham Ozler's efforts to investigate the death of an IT employee and capture a serial killer, also known as "Birthday Killer".
The project was announced on 19 May 2023. Principal photography began on 20 May 2023. The film was shot across locations including Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Idukki and Wayanad. The filming wrapped up on 14 November 2023. The music was composed by Midhun Mukundan while cinematography and editing were handled by Theni Eswar and Shameer Muhammed, respectively.
Abraham Ozler was initially set to be released on 25 December 2023, but the release date was postponed to 11 January 2024. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its acting, cinematography, direction, and musical score, but criticism for its script. The film earned ₹40.05 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of Jayaram's career in leading role.<ref>"തിരിച്ചടികൾക്കൊടുവിൽ 'ജയറാംസ് ഒാൾട്ടർണേറ്റിവ്': ഓസ്ലർ റിവ്യു". www.manoramaonline.com (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 11 January 2024.</ref><ref>nirmal. "അപൂര്വ്വ നേട്ടം! നാലാം വാരത്തിലെ സ്ക്രീന് കൗണ്ട് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ച് 'ഓസ്ലര്' നിര്മ്മാതാക്കള്". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 4 February 2024.</ref><ref name = " Bo"/>
Plot
This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (August 2024) |
Past: ACP Abraham Ozler is on vacation with his wife Anisha and daughter Jenny. He receives a call that requires him to investigate a double murder, and promptly leaves in his car. Mid-journey, he realizes that the call was faked and rushes back to find both Anisha and Jenny missing. Later Vineeth, a drug addict, admits to kidnapping both of them, hacking them to pieces and burying the pieces in a forest to take revenge on Ozler for arresting him in a narcotics case. However, Vineeth claims that he had taken a large dosage of prescription drugs that night and consequently does not remember where the pieces were buried.
Present: Three years later, Ozler is chronically depressed insomniac who experiences hallucinations due to lack of sleep. He never received closure and remains distraught and miserable, as he cannot find his wife's and daughter's remains in spite of regularly visiting and questioning a now convicted Vineeth. He is also investigating a series of murders with his subordinates SI Divya Sreedharan and Sijo T Venu. The killer leaves birthday cards at each murder scene, and the cards all have parts of the Latin quote, "Let conversation cease. Let laughter flee. This is where death rejoices to help the living". The killer is dubbed "The Birthday Killer" by the media. As the team unravels the connections, they discover Krishnadas, a man using an artificial larynx, as a key suspect. They also learn that he was a prodigious singer as a teenager, and lost his voice due to a surgery mishap.
Delving into the past, Ozler discovers a shared history among the victim's parents: Shivakumar and Selvaraj. They were postgraduate medical students at Kozhikode Medical College in 1989. Shivakumar, Selvaraj, Xavi Punnoose (a retired police surgeon) and Alexander Joseph (now living in Dubai) were all found to have been friends and batchmates. They were recorded as having gotten into an accident, after which they parted ways. Meanwhile, Krishnadas breaks into Alexander's house and attempts to abduct him but is thwarted and arrested by Ozler. But even as Krishnadas is in custody, Xavi is kidnapped. Ozler then discovers that the Alexander in Dubai was a fake all along and that the real Alexander was still active and had abducted Xavi. The real Alexander attempts to kill Xavi in the same manner as the previous victims, but is arrested by Ozler and his men at the last minute. While in custody, he reveals his true motives.
1989: Alexander was a dedicated postgraduate student at the surgery department of Kozhikode Medical College. Xavi, a fellow student of surgery, was inept compared to Alexander, and was consequently jealous as the professors favored the latter's skill. Shivakumar, a student of General Medicine, developed hatred towards Alexander for starting a relationship with first year MBBS student Suja Jayadev, whom Shivakumar had been pursuing relentlessly. Selvaraj, a student of Anesthesia and a drug addict, was expelled after Alexander caught him getting high and reported the latter to the faculty.
During this time, Krishnadas was admitted to the Medical College due to a tumor in his throat, which affected his voice. Alexander was designated to assist in the surgery and he chooses Xavi to help him. During the surgery, Alexander was unexpectedly required to take the lead and he requested Xavi to cut the tie inside Krishnadas's neck. Xavi, fueled by jealousy and bitterness, cuts Krishnadas's vocal cord - which is why he lost his voice.
Alexander reported Xavi's intentional act to the faculty, Xavi is blacklisted and both are suspended due to Alexander being the first assistant. Under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the enraged and bitter Selvaraj, Xavi and Shivakumar brutalized Alexander, putting him in a coma. Once sober, they fabricated an accident, faked injuries on themselves and told everyone that a drunk Alexander took them for a drive and crashed the car. Suja becomes depressed after this. One day, doctors suggested that Alexander's life support be removed and he be allowed to die peacefully. A heartbroken Suja lost all hope after overhearing this and committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving bus. In a fateful twist of irony, Alexander awakened on the 1st day of her death. After years of nursing care, he regained movement but loses most of his postgraduate memories due to dissociative amnesia, including Suja, Xavi, Shivakumar and Selvaraj. 3 years ago, Alexander saw a TV program featuring Krishnadas, where some old videos of the latter singing are shown. This triggered his memories and Alexander slowly recollected his past. He learned about Suja's death and met up with a then wayward Krishnadas, and they planned the murders together.
Present: Xavi meets Alexander and Krishnadas in Ozler's custody and shows no remorse at all. Ozler regrets saving Xavi and tells him plainly that he deserved death. Astonishingly, Xavi dies on stage of cardiac arrest at the release ceremony of his autobiography. Seconds before this happens, Ozler receives a call where the forensic surgeon Satheesh Madhavan reveals that Alexander had poisoned Xavi and all the victims with methylene blue and agar-agar, a lethal bacteria-infected surgical ink before making cuts on their bodies. Later, it is shown that the truth gets revealed - Shivakumar is found dead in his car, while Selvaraj becomes drunk and his wife leaves him, realizing that he caused their son's murder.
On his routine visit to Vineeth in prison, Ozler encounters Alexander and Krishnadas. Alexander cryptically utters "Bone Residue", hinting at an unresolved truth about Ozler's family. Ozler realizes that if a bladed weapon is used to hack flesh, bone residue will always be present on the blade even after chemical washing. Ozler confronts Vineeth about this and the latter, unrepentant, challenges Ozler to dig deeper for the truth.
Cast
- Jayaram as ACP Abraham Ozler IPS
- Mammootty as Dr. Alexander Joseph / Birthday Killer
- Adam Sabiq as Young Alexander
- Anaswara Rajan as Suja Jayadev, Alexander's girlfriend
- Saiju Kurup as Krishnadas PS, Alexander's Associate
- Joseph Mathews as Young Krishnadas
- Arjun Ashokan as Vineeth
- Anoop Menon as Dr. Satheesh Madhavan, police surgeon and Ozler's friend
- Arya Salim as SI Divya Sreedharan
- Senthil Krishna as SI Sijo T. Venu
- Jagadish as Dr. Xavi Punnoose, retired police surgeon
- Shivaraj as Young Xavi
- Dileesh Pothan as Sudhakaran Payyarath / Dr. Alexander Joseph (Fake)
- Ravi Venkatraman as Selvaraj
- Shajeer P. Basheer as Young Selvaraj
- Kumarakom Raghunath as Dr. Shivakumar
- Shiva Hariharan as Young Shivakumar
- Saikumar as Counsellor, Ozler's friend (Cameo)
- Arjun Nandhakumar as Dr. Arun Jayadev, Suja's younger brother
- Assim Jamal as DIG Prasad Rajan IPS
- Harikrishnan as Naveen Shivakumar
- Aneesh Gopal as SI Sarath
- Prasanth Alexander as Dr. Salam
- Parvathi T. as Dr. Annapoorneswari
- Boban Alummoodan as Dr. Sreedharan Nambiar
- Anju Kurian as Aneesha, Ozler's wife
- Saniya as Jennifer / Jenni, Ozler's daughter
- Darshana Sudarshan Nair as Maya
- Priya Sreejith as Sister Teena
- Sheethal Zackaria as Sister Jyothi
- Sivarenjini as Sister Seenath
- Sreeram Ramachandran as Speech Therapist
- Krishna Prasad as MRI Technician
- Rajan Poothrakkal as Raghavan
- Mani Shornur as Dr. Zakariah
- Habeeb Thrissur as Dr. Govindaraj
- Jolly Chirayath as CEO Sasikala
- Nandhan Unni as Ambulance Driver Mani
- Lali Marakkar as Krishnadas's mother
- Devendranath as Dr. Eshwaran Potty
- Rakesh Pattu as Ashok Selvaraj
- Rini Udayakumar as Raghavan's wife
- Mani as Lorry Driver Sivankutty
- Shaize as Duty M O
- Uma K P as Dr. Aysha Sathyaraj
- Thulasi as Swapna, Suja's friend
- Maya Menon as Alexander's mother
- Sonia Giri as Xavi's wife
- Kala as Shivakumar's wife
- Maya as Selvaraj's wife
- Nidhin Sasidharan as Ajeesh
- Kumariyamma as Ajeesh's mother
- Benyamin as Himself (Cameo)
- Midhun Manuel Thomas as Leader (Cameo)
Production
Development
After the success of Anjaam Pathira (2020), Midhun Manuel Thomas wanted to direct a film featuring Kunchako Boban. However, the commencement of shooting didn't occur due to various reasons. It was during that time that director John Manthrikkal narrated a story to Midhun which was written by ortho surgeon Dr. Randheer Krishnan. He liked the story and decided to direct the film.<ref>"ട്രെയിലറിൽ കാണാത്ത താരങ്ങൾ ഓസ്ലറിലുണ്ട്, ആട്-3 ചെയ്യാൻ സമ്മർദം- മിഥുൻ മാനുവൽ തോമസ്". Mathrubhumi. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref>
In an interview with Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express, Midhun revealed that the film's titular protagonist was named after the Canadian physician William Osler, regarded as the 'Father of Modern Medicine'. He also revealed that he had initially included a backstory, explaining that Abraham Ozler's father, a doctor, named his son after his favorite physician with the hope that Abraham would also become a physician like his father.<ref>"Who is Abraham Ozler? Director Midhun Manuel Thomas breaks down his new Jayaram film and other thrillers". The Indian Express. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref> The film marked Midhun's return to direction after a four-year hiatus. Meanwhile, he had penned the screenplay for Garudan (2023) and Phoenix (2023).<ref>"Who is Abraham Ozler? Director Midhun Manuel Thomas breaks down his new Jayaram film and other thrillers". The Indian Express. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref>
Casting
Midhun approached Jayaram to play the titular role.<ref>Menon, Vishal (7 January 2024). "I Told Jayaram Sir That If He Turns Down Abraham Ozler, I Would Shelve It: Midhun Manuel Thomas". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref> Initially, Jayaram was hesitant to commit to the project as he believed that it was unlike any film he had done till now. He believed it was a heavy character and had to appear in two timelines with different looks.<ref>"Jayaram reveals why he hesitated to take on the role of 'Abraham Ozler". The Times of India. 11 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref> However, he agreed to play the role as Midhun convinced him. In preparing for the role, Jayaram put in some weight and grew a long beard with a tired look to fit the character. Abraham Ozler marks Jayaram's second Malayalam venture since 2019. <ref>Menon, Vishal (6 January 2024). "I Was Initially Hesitant To Play Abraham Ozler: Jayaram". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref>
There were reports that Mammootty would have a 15-minute cameo appearance in the film which was denied.<ref>"Is Mammootty playing a 15-minute cameo role in Jayaram's 'Abraham Ozler'?". The Times of India. 22 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref> Reports suggested that Mammootty would have a screen-time of over 45 minutes in the film, and it was also reported that he would be playing a negative role, which was unconfirmed.<ref>"Mammootty's role in Jayaram and Midhun Manuel Thomas's Abraham Ozler – All you need to know". OTTPlay. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref> Regarding Mammootty's cameo, Jayaram revealed that Mammootty was not the first choice to play the role of Alexander. The makers approached actors Sathyaraj, R. Sarathkumar, Prakash Raj, and others.<ref name="pinkvilla.com">"'Mammootty was not the first choice': Jayaram opens up about the cameo role in Abraham Ozler". PINKVILLA. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref> Midhun said that, when he narrated the story of Abraham Ozler to Mammootty, he liked the script and asked him if he could play the antagonist.<ref>"Midhun Manuel Thomas Interview: ജയറാമിനെ റീലോഞ്ച് ചെയ്യുന്ന ചിത്രത്തില് മമ്മൂട്ടി എങ്ങനെയെത്തി? മിഥുന് മാനുവല് തോമസ് അഭിമുഖം". www.asianetnews.com. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref> Midhun was apprehensive about casting Mammootty. However, Jayaram convinced him to give the role to Mammootty.<ref name="pinkvilla.com"/> Midhun met Mammootty again, who consented to play the role of Alexander.<ref>"Jayaram reveals Mammootty was not the first choice for Alexander's role in 'Abraham Ozler'". The Times of India. 16 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 January 2024.</ref>
Filming
The project was announced on 19 May 2023.<ref>"Jayaram teams up with Midhun Manuel Thomas for Abraham Ozler". Cinema Express. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.</ref> Principal photography began on 20 May 2023 in Mission Quarters in Thrissur.<ref>"Jayaram-Midhun Manuel Thomas film Abraham Ozler begins". Cinema Express. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.</ref> Producer Irshad M. Hassan performed the switch-on ceremony.<ref name=":0">"Malayalam Actor Jayaram-starrer Medical Crime-drama Abraham Ozler Goes On Floors". News18. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.</ref> The first scene was reportedly shot between Jayaram and Sai Kumar.<ref>Web Desk (20 May 2023). "അഞ്ചാം പാതിരക്ക് ശേഷം വീണ്ടും ക്രൈം ത്രില്ലറുമായി മിഥുന് മാനുവല്; ജയറാം നായകന്". MediaOne (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 15 November 2023.</ref> Apart from Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Idukki and Wayanad were the other shooting locations.<ref name=":0" /> The filming wrapped up on 14 November 2023.<ref>"It's a wrap for Jayaram's Abraham Ozler". Cinema Express. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.</ref>
Music
The film's music was composed by Midhun Mukundan. It consists of one track, Poomaname, from the 1985 film Nirakkoottu. The track was originally composed by Shyam and the lyrics were written by Poovachal Khader.<ref>nithya. "മമ്മൂട്ടി അന്ന് നായകൻ, ഇന്ന് അതിഥി വേഷം, ഒരേയൊരു പാട്ട് 'പൂമാനമേ..'". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 19 September 2024.</ref> The song was sung by Nitin K. Siva, while the original song was by K. S. Chithra, G. Venugopal and K. G. Markose.<ref>"Abraham Ozler | Song - Poomaname | Malayalam Video Songs - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 September 2024.</ref>
Release
Theatrical
The film was initially scheduled to release on 25 December 2023, on the occasion of Christmas.<ref>"Jayaram's Abraham Ozler to arrive on Christmas". Cinema Express. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.</ref> The release date was postponed to 11 January 2024 to avoid a clash with other major Christmas releases.<ref>"Jayaram's thriller 'Abraham Ozler's release date changed!". The Times of India. 6 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 November 2023.</ref> The film was released in North America on 12 January 2024.
Home media
Abraham Ozler is released in Disney+ Hotstar on 20 March 2024 and it will also be available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages.<ref>Sharma, Bhavana (6 February 2024). "Abraham Ozler OTT Release Date Confirmed". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 19 September 2024.</ref>
Reception
Critical response
Abraham Ozler received mixed reviews from critics.
Gopika IS of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Jayaram starrer Abraham Ozler turned out to be an interesting watch and can undoubtedly be seen as a new phase in the actor's career."<ref>"Abraham Ozler Movie Review: Jayaram's thriller begins well but falters in places". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref> Sara Anna Eepan of The Week gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Abraham Ozler is worth a watch on the big screen for those interested in an investigation drama with medical thriller elements."<ref>"'Abraham Ozler' review: Jayaram delivers an engaging crime thriller – The Week". The Week. Retrieved 4 February 2024.</ref>
Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Abraham Ozler doesn't lack the ability to hook us, but it made me wonder whether it would've worked better as an airport novel than a film."<ref>"Abraham Ozler review: Intriguing details camouflage an unaffecting thriller". The New Indian Express. 12 January 2024.</ref> Nikhil Sebastian of Pinkvilla gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Abraham Ozler falls into the category of another half-baked thriller, relying on the performances of the actors and a brilliant original score."<ref>"Abraham Ozler Movie Review: Midhun Manuel's latest thriller with Jayaram offers a decent watch for genre enthusiasts". PINKVILLA. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref> Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Midhun Manuel Thomas' film can be dubbed as a crime thriller that meets the essential criteria for the genre. However, determining whether it has done a good job requires more than a simple yes/no answer."<ref>"Abraham Ozler movie review: Midhun Manuel Thomas film is mostly a letdown, saved only by a revived Jayaram and You-Know-Who". The Indian Express. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref>
S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote "The Jayaram-starrer is marred by generic treatment to the serial killer genre, with a cameo from superstar Mammootty offering only a temporary relief."<ref>Praveen, S. R. (11 January 2024). "'Abraham Ozler' movie review: A serial killer pursuit that fizzles out soon". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref> Vishal Menon of FIlm Companion wrote "By reinventing Jayaram as an actor and by infusing so much information into a stereotypical thriller, Abraham Ozler remains fairly engaging even if you've seen it all before."<ref>Menon, Vishal (11 January 2024). "Abraham Ozler Review: An All-New Jayaram In A Same Old Revenge Drama Disguised As A Serial Killer Thriller". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref> Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote "The initial feeling of repetitiveness affects the thrills in the first half. However, true to the expression "to end with a bang," Midhun employs the right tactics in the second half to provide viewers with a more than satisfactory conclusion."<ref>"Solid ending and a surprise cameo save the case for Midhun Manuel Thomas' 'Abraham Ozler' | Movie Review". Onmanorama. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref>
Box office
Abraham Ozler grossed ₹28.8 million from Kerala and ₹60 million worldwide, on its opening day.<ref>"Abraham Ozler' box office collections day 7: Jayaram's thriller rakes in Rs 13.24 crores". The Times of India. 18 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref> The film grossed ₹2.34 crore on its second day, with worldwide gross exceeding ₹10 crore.<ref>Forum, Keralam (12 January 2024). "Very good hold for #AbrahamOzler on its Day-2 (FRI) as the early estimates suggests Kerala gross collection in the range of ₹2.1cr to ₹2.2cr". Twitter.</ref> Abraham Ozler grossed ₹2.9 crore on its third day and ₹3.19 crore on its first Sunday. The film grossed around ₹11.31 crore in its first four days from Kerala.<ref>Forum, Keralam (15 January 2025). "#AbrahamOzler 4-day opening weekend Kerala Boxoffice update". Twitter.</ref> The film grossed ₹22 crore worldwide in its first weekend.<ref>"mollywood Top Opening Weekend WorldWide: എണ്ണത്തില് 'കിംഗ്' മോഹന്ലാല്, ഒന്നാമത് ഈ താരം, മൂന്നില് ഒതുങ്ങി മമ്മൂട്ടി; ആദ്യവാരാന്ത്യത്തിൽ കസറിയ പടങ്ങൾ". www.asianetnews.com. Retrieved 3 September 2024.</ref>
The film grossed a total of $61,616 from the North America in the first weekend.<ref>Forum, Keralam (16 January 2024). "#AbrahamOzler 3-day opening weekend North America Boxoffice Reported". Twitter.</ref> The film grossed ₹1.4 crore on its fifth day from the Kerala.<ref>Forum, Keralam (16 January 2024). "Good Hold For #AbrahamOzler on its First working Day (MON) at Kerala Boxoffice with gross collection in the range of ₹1.4cr".</ref> The film grossed a total of ₹150 million in its first 8 days from Kerala. The film grossed a total of ₹31 million in its second weekend at Kerala. The film grossed a total of $1.36 million (approx ₹ 113 million) from 11 days at the UAE and GCC box office, while it grossed ₹17 million from ROI circuits in 11 days. In North America, the film grossed $130K in UK and Europe it grossed $150K and in Australia $17K in 11 days at the box office.<ref>"Abraham Ozler's box office collections day 11: Jayaram's film continues strong; mints Rs 17.25 crore". The Times of India. 24 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 January 2024.</ref><ref>Forum, Keralam (23 January 2024). "#AbrahamOzler 11 Days UAE & GCC Boxoffice update". Twitter.</ref> In 16 days, the film grossed more than ₹20 crore from Kerala and became the first commercially successful Malayalam film of 2024.<ref>Forum, Keralam (26 January 2023). "#AbrahamOzler All set for another good weekend". Twitter.</ref> The film made a total collection of ₹40.05 crore from the worldwide box office in first 30 days of its release and also emerged as the all-time highest grossing solo film in the career of its leading man Jayaram within its lifetime run at the theatres.<ref>"Abraham Ozler Box Office final collections – Jayaram and Mammootty's crime thriller crosses Rs 40 crore mark". www.ottplay.com. Retrieved 21 September 2024.</ref>
