Last updated: 8 May 2026


Master of the masses
Malayalam · Action, Crime, Mystery
2h 40m · 4 Jan 2018
DOP: Vinod Illampally | Writer: Uday Krishna
Ratings
Our Rating
1.75
Masterpiece follows the story of a tough and principled police officer who is transferred to a college campus plagued by violence and political unrest. As he takes charge, he confronts the local goons and corrupt elements, aiming to restore peace and discipline. The narrative explores themes of justice, power dynamics, and the impact of leadership in a chaotic environment.
Masterpiece offers a typical action-drama narrative centered around a strong protagonist played by Mammootty. The story is straightforward, focusing on the battle between law enforcement and unruly students, with predictable twists and confrontations. The screenplay is linear but tends to rely heavily on formulaic scenes and dialogues, which may feel repetitive to some viewers.
The pacing of the film is uneven; the first half sets up the conflict with a mix of action and campus politics but occasionally drags with unnecessary subplots. The second half picks up momentum with more intense action sequences and confrontations, providing a more engaging experience. However, the resolution feels rushed and lacks depth.
Musically, the film is average as it lacks memorable songs or a standout soundtrack. The background score supports the action sequences adequately but does not elevate the emotional or dramatic moments significantly. Overall, the technical aspects like cinematography by Vinod Illampally are competent, capturing the campus atmosphere and action scenes effectively.
Mammootty: Strong and commanding presence as the lead cop, delivering the role with typical intensity.
Unni Mukundan: Supports well with energetic performance, though limited by the script.
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar: Adequate in her role but underutilized.
Poonam Bajwa: Brief role with minimal impact.
Mukesh: Provides solid support in a character role.
Gokul Suresh: Decent debut performance with room for growth.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Ajai Vasudev's direction sticks to conventional commercial cinema tropes, focusing on action and star power. The writing lacks novelty, and the narrative does not explore deeper themes beyond surface-level conflict. While the film caters to fans of the genre and lead actor, it misses opportunities for a more nuanced approach.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 2.75 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
Critics generally found Masterpiece to be a routine action entertainer with Mammootty's performance being the highlight. The film was noted for its predictable plot and lack of freshness, but appreciated for its engaging second half and technical competence. Audience reactions were mixed, with fans enjoying the mass elements while others criticized the lack of depth.
Final Box-Office Result
Masterpiece released on 4 January 2018 (2018).
Masterpiece is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Masterpiece is available on provider-27, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Masterpiece directed by Ajai Vasudev. Produced by C H Muhammed.
Masterpiece stars Mammootty, Unni Mukundan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Poonam Bajwa, Mukesh.
Tollybo rates Masterpiece 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Masterpiece — Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery, Runtime: 160 minutes, Language: Malayalam.