Ronth Lights Up OTT: Dileesh Pothan’s Police Drama Streams in Five Languages on JioHotstar
Dileesh Pothan’s critically acclaimed thriller Ronth, starring Roshan Mathew, premieres on JioHotstar in five languages—including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi—on July 22. Read on for cast details, plot insights, and why it matters.
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Ronth Begins Streaming: A Tense Thriller Crosses Language Barriers
After a strong theatrical run, the Malayalam-language thriller Ronth has made its OTT debut on JioCinema, and this time it comes with a multilingual twist. As of July 22, 2025, the film is available to stream not only in its original Malayalam, but also dubbed in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. This move underscores a growing trend in Indian OTT platforms: the elevation of regional content into pan-Indian cinematic experiences.
Directed by Shahi Kabir, known for his screenplay work in acclaimed films like Nayattu, Ronth blends realism with psychological intensity. The film is spearheaded by Dileesh Pothan, one of Malayalam cinema’s most versatile talents, portraying Sub-Inspector Yohannan. He is joined by Roshan Mathew, who delivers a layered performance as Dinanath, a rookie constable navigating the complexity of his first night on patrol.
The Plot: A Night in Uniform
Ronth is structured around a single night, but what unfolds during those hours is emotionally staggering and ethically charged. The film begins in near-silence, with a patrol jeep slicing through the foggy outskirts of a Kerala town. Yohannan, a man hardened by years on the force, exudes cynicism and weariness. By contrast, Dinanath, fresh out of training, sees the uniform as a tool for justice and societal good.
Throughout the night, the duo encounters a series of incidents—domestic disputes, drunk drivers, lost children, political muscle-flexing, and unspoken horrors. But what makes Ronth different is not the quantity of events, but how it uses each one to slowly chip away at both men’s psychological armor.
The film culminates in a confrontation that is not about gunfire or gangsters, but about personal responsibility, generational trauma, and the quiet rot within institutions. It leaves viewers with more questions than answers—a rarity in modern thrillers.
Performances that Ground the Drama
Dileesh Pothan is magnetic as Yohannan. Every sigh, glance, and pause in his dialogue hints at a man who has seen more than he cares to admit. He isn’t loud or aggressive, but his silence speaks volumes. It's a performance built on restraint, a masterclass in minimalism.
Roshan Mathew, meanwhile, captures Dinanath’s idealism and gradual disillusionment with heartbreaking precision. In one particular scene—set in the back of the jeep after a heated confrontation—his eyes convey a lifetime’s worth of moral doubt in just a few seconds.
The supporting cast is equally robust, featuring realistic portrayals of civilians, criminals, and victims alike. No character feels inserted for spectacle. Everyone has a story, and those stories stay with you.
Direction and Cinematic Language
Shahi Kabir, stepping into the director’s chair, crafts an atmosphere that feels almost documentary-like. There’s a rawness to the camera work by Manesh Madhavan, which often lingers longer than expected, forcing viewers to sit with discomfort. The sound design is notably spare—no overpowering score, no dramatic orchestration. Instead, we hear the clack of boots on pavement, the drone of distant traffic, the crackle of static on police radios.
The cinematography plays with shadows and sodium-vapor street lighting, giving the film a claustrophobic yet intimate feel. Many scenes take place inside the patrol jeep, but the lack of visual variety never hampers engagement. In fact, it adds to the pressure cooker dynamic between the characters.
Music and Score
Anil Johnson’s score is minimal and serves more as ambient tension than melodic relief. In moments of emotional weight, the music doesn’t guide the audience—it merely follows, allowing the storytelling to take the lead. This creative choice is one of the reasons the film feels so grounded.
Thematic Underpinnings
Beyond being a night-patrol story, Ronth tackles issues like emotional suppression in police work, the cycle of institutional apathy, and the subtle but corrosive effects of moral compromise. It asks: Can the system ever be reformed from within, or does it always break the ones who try?
The character of Yohannan is particularly reflective of this inner conflict. His trauma isn’t spelled out explicitly, but you feel it in every decision he makes. Dinanath represents a version of Yohannan from decades ago—one that still believed the uniform meant something. The contrast between the two is not just generational; it’s philosophical.
Why This OTT Release Matters
With streaming becoming the primary medium for cinematic consumption in many Indian households, Ronth’s release on JioCinema in five languages is not merely a distribution strategy—it’s a cultural milestone. It shows confidence in regional storytelling, and more importantly, confidence that audiences across the country can appreciate a story that is deeply local in texture, yet universal in its themes.
Audience Reception
Theatrically, Ronth had a respectable run in Kerala and select cities with niche audiences. The real test, however, lies in how it performs on OTT—where accessibility and word-of-mouth reign supreme. Early viewership data suggests that Ronth is being well-received, particularly for its authenticity and intense performances.
Online discussions have centered on the film’s refusal to spoon-feed its message. For some, that ambiguity is frustrating. For others, it’s exactly what makes the film resonate long after the credits roll.
Conclusion: A Film That Deserves Attention
In an era of flashy visuals and easily digestible content, Ronth demands patience—and rewards it richly. It is not a film you play in the background while doing chores. It demands your attention, your silence, and, at times, your introspection.
Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew bring heart and heft to a narrative that pulls no punches. With its OTT availability in five major languages, Ronth is now just a click away from audiences who might otherwise have missed it in theatres.
For anyone looking to watch something that respects intelligence, grapples with uncomfortable truths, and offers no easy resolutions, Ronth is essential viewing.
