Edakkad Battalion 06

Based on a true story, Edakkad Battalion 06 is written by P Balachandran and directed by Swapnesh K Nair. The movie, with an obvious military reference in the title itself, isn't your run-of-the-mill military story.

Capt. Shafeek Mohammed (Tovino Thomas) comes back to his hometown, Edakkad in Kozhikode, for a holiday. With a newfound confidence from the newly earned respect from his job, Shafeek finds himself helping everyone in his village.

The military is sometimes an overused story trope to pitch nationalism. And if not handled with care it may fall flat, like Edakkad Battalion 06. One can't help but feel disappointed when the onscreen chemistry of the artists makes you want to feel, but the script doesn't deliver. Much like in 'Theevandi', Tovino and Samyuktha have a good onscreen chemistry that makes you wish had it been the central theme of the narrative it could have atleast glued your eyes to the screen. Sinu Sidharathu who cranks the camera for Edakkad Battalion 06 and makes it a visually pleasing experience even when the story drags on. Samyuktha Menon proves that she can emote through her eyes, much of what she does throughout the movie.

Music by Kailas Menon is mediocre at best, 'Nee Himamazhayay' being the only noteworthy track. Tovino Thomas finds very little of scope for a performance. His portrayal of Capt. Shafeek Mohammed is a rather cliched caricature of a heroic soldier. The film force feeds the audience with the tallness of valour and bravery of a soldier. While it goes without saying that a soldier's contribution to the nation isn't trivial, but in Edakkad Battalion 06 the narrative over plays it making it feels strained. Also, one finds many storylines forgotten or lost as the story proceeds.

Edakkad Battalion 06 comes as a widely stretched out tribute to the brave martyrs of the land. The gravity and effect of martyrdom plays out in the last 10 minutes of the movie, which by by far the only part that manages to incite an emotion. Whether one would want to brave an hour an a half of a film for the last fifteen minutes of an emotional message is a very personal choice.