Harleen singh at 09:45, 3 March 2026

2026-03-03T09:45:19Z

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{{Short description|2023 Indian Malayalam by Priyadarshan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Corona Papers
| image = Corona Papers 2023 film poster.jpeg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Priyadarshan]]
| writer =
| screenplay = Priyadarshan
| story = [[Sri Ganesh]]
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[8 Thottakkal]]'' (2017)|Sri Ganesh}}
| producer = Priyadarshan
| starring = {{Ubl
| [[Shane Nigam]]
| [[Shine Tom Chacko]]
| [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]]
| [[Lal Jr.|Jean Lal]]
| [[Gayathrie]]
}}
| narrator =
| cinematography = Divakarmani
| editing = M. S. Aiyappan Nair
| music = KP
| studio = Four Frames Sound Company
| distributor = Four Frames Release
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2023|04|06}}
| runtime = 153 minutes<ref>{{cite web|title=Corona Papers|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/corona-papers-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdeyndm2|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| budget =
| gross =
}}

'''''Corona Papers''''' is a 2023 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[action thriller film]] directed and produced by [[Priyadarshan]]. The film is a remake of Tamil film ''[[8 Thottakkal]]'' which itself is inspired from [[Akira Kurosawa]]'s 1949 film ''[[Stray Dog (film)|Stray Dog]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2023/Apr/07/corona-papers-review-slightly-improvedbut-flawed-remake-2563377.html|title='Corona Papers' review: Slightly improved, but flawed remake|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=18 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lensmenreviews.com/corona-papers-malayalam-movie-review-2023/|title=Corona Papers Review | An Elaborate and Restructured Version of 8 Thottakkal With a Superb Sidhique|date=6 April 2023|access-date=12 April 2023|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412014009/https://lensmenreviews.com/corona-papers-malayalam-movie-review-2023/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/corona-papers/movie-review/99340304.cms|title=Corona Papers Movie Review : An uninspired copy|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=12 April 2023|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409000831/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/corona-papers/movie-review/99340304.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Vignesh |last1=Madhu |title=Corona Papers censored U/A; Release date confirmed |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/30/corona-papers-censored-ua-release-date-confirmed-41716.html |work=[[Cinema Express]] |date=30 March 2023 |access-date=3 April 2023 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403004717/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/30/corona-papers-censored-ua-release-date-confirmed-41716.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film is produced by Four Frames Sound Company, with cinematography by Divakarmani and music by ''KP''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Priyadarshan-Shane Nigam's 'Corona Papers' trailer out; promises an interesting procedural drama |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/priyadarshan-shane-nigams-corona-papers-trailer-out-promises-an-interesting-procedural-drama/article66664702.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-access=limited |date=26 March 2023 |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328142218/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/priyadarshan-shane-nigams-corona-papers-trailer-out-promises-an-interesting-procedural-drama/article66664702.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Corona Papers |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/previews/corona-papers/articleshow/99291517.cms |date=2023-04-06 |access-date=2023-04-09 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407110547/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/previews/corona-papers/articleshow/99291517.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The film received mixed reviews from critics.<ref name=":0" />

== Plot ==
A rookie cop named Rahul loses his service [[revolver]]. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the missing revolver is not just a minor hiccup, but rather the focal point of the entire plot. It is intricately connected to many other significant events, including a significant bank robbery and a series of murders.

As the central piece of the script, the missing weapon plays a vital role in moving the story forward. Its disappearance creates a sense of urgency and mystery, driving Rahul and his team to investigate and uncover the truth behind its disappearance. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they begin to unravel a web of interconnected crimes, all of which lead back to the missing revolver.

As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that the missing revolver is connected to the murders of several people. With each new development in the case, the missing revolver becomes more and more important, eventually leading to a thrilling conclusion.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Corona Papers Movie Review : An uninspired copy |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/corona-papers/movie-review/99340304.cms |access-date=2023-05-06 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Cast==
* [[Shane Nigam]] as [[Sub Inspector#India|SI]] Rahul Nambiar
* [[Vineeth Sreenivasan]] as Musthafa
* [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] as [[Sub Inspector#India|SI]] Shankararaman / Govindan Nambiar (Fake)
* [[Shine Tom Chacko]] as Kaakka Pappi
* [[Hannah Reji Koshy]] as Rani
* [[Lal Jr.|Jean Paul Lal]] as Tony
* [[Gayathrie]] as Veena, a reporter and Rahul's girlfriend
* [[Maniyanpilla Raju]] as [[Circle Inspector#Kerala|CI]] Ayyappan Pillai
* Nibin Navas as News Reporter
* [[Vijilesh Karayad]]
* Sandhya Shetty as [[Superintendent of Police#India|SP]] Gracy [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
* [[Sreedhanya]] as Shankararaman's daughter-in-law
* Geethi Sangeetha

== Production ==
The pooja ceremony of the film was held on 27 October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shane Nigam, Shine Tom Chacko team up for Priyadarshan's 'Corona Papers' |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/10/27/shane-nigam-shine-tom-chacko-priyadarshan-corona-papers-pooja-function.html |date=2022-10-27 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=OnManorama |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330080934/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/10/27/shane-nigam-shine-tom-chacko-priyadarshan-corona-papers-pooja-function.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first look of the film was released on 5 March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The first-look poster of Corona Papers is here |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/05/the-first-look-poster-of-corona-papers-is-here-40670.html |date=2023-03-05 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311120001/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/05/the-first-look-poster-of-corona-papers-is-here-40670.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The trailer was released 26 March.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shane Nigam's Corona Papers trailer is here |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/26/shane-nigams-corona-papers-trailer-is-here-41547.html |date=2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402122113/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/26/shane-nigams-corona-papers-trailer-is-here-41547.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=26 March 2023 |title=Corona Papers trailer: Priyadarshan's film is a perfect combination of action and mind-bending drama |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/corona-papers-trailer-priyadarshans-film-is-a-perfect-combination-of-action-and-mind-bending-drama-8520280/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403005635/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/corona-papers-trailer-priyadarshans-film-is-a-perfect-combination-of-action-and-mind-bending-drama-8520280/ |archive-date=3 April 2023 |access-date=3 April 2023 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== Release ==
The film was theatrically released on 6 April 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=Priyadarshan's thriller 'Corona Papers' censored with a U/A certificate |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/malayalam/priyadarshans-thriller-corona-papers-censored-with-a-u/a-certificate/videoshow/99125103.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=31 March 2023 |access-date=3 April 2023 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331104805/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/malayalam/priyadarshans-thriller-corona-papers-censored-with-a-u/a-certificate/videoshow/99125103.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The film
was made available for [[Streaming media|digital streaming]] on 5 May 2023 on [[Disney+ Hotstar]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Buzz: Priyadarshan's 'Corona Papers' to have a digital release in May |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/buzz-priyadarshans-corona-papers-to-have-a-digital-release-in-may/articleshow/99320494.cms |date=2023-04-07 |access-date=2023-04-09 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407193527/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/buzz-priyadarshans-corona-papers-to-have-a-digital-release-in-may/articleshow/99320494.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Box office ===
The film collected Rs 750,000 at the Kerala box office on its opening day.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Corona Papers' box office collection: Priyadarshan's thriller gets an average opening at KBO |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/corona-papers-box-office-collection-priyadarshans-thriller-gets-an-average-opening-at-kbo/articleshow/99314180.cms |date=2023-04-07 |access-date=2023-04-09 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407190633/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/corona-papers-box-office-collection-priyadarshans-thriller-gets-an-average-opening-at-kbo/articleshow/99314180.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
The film was released 6 April 2023 in theatres and received lukewarm reviews. Sajin Shrijith, critic of ''[[Cinema Express]]'', gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and stated that "Oddly enough, despite Priyadarshan's interesting modifications to the original story, the film's failure to make one emotionally invested and its inability to find a fittingly logical resolution to all its threads work heavily against it".<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Sajin |last1=Shrijith |title=Corona Papers Movie Review: Slightly improved, but flawed remake |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2023/apr/06/corona-papers-movie-review-slightly-improved-but-flawed-remake-42027.html |date=2023-04-06 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409142504/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2023/apr/06/corona-papers-movie-review-slightly-improved-but-flawed-remake-42027.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Anjana George, critic from ''[[The Times of India]]'', gave 2.5 out 5 stars and wrote that "Nevertheless, the film fails to engage as the characters lack depth."<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Anjana |last1=George |title=Corona Papers Movie Review : An uninspired copy |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/corona-papers/movie-review/99340304.cms |date=2023-04-08 |access-date=2023-04-09 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409000831/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/corona-papers/movie-review/99340304.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> S. R. Praveen, critic of ''[[The Hindu]]'', noted that "Priyadarshan's latest tryst with the thriller genre is an average affair".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=2023-04-06 |title='Corona Papers' movie review: Priyadarshan's latest tryst with the thriller genre is an average affair |language=en-IN |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-access=limited |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/corona-papers-movie-review-priyadarshans-latest-tryst-with-the-thriller-genre-is-an-average-affair/article66706404.ece |access-date=2023-04-09 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407101949/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/corona-papers-movie-review-priyadarshans-latest-tryst-with-the-thriller-genre-is-an-average-affair/article66706404.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Swathi P Ajith, critic of ''[[Onmanorama]]'', noted that "Corona Papers' is a must-watch for those who are interested in mazy suspense thrillers.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Swathi P |last1=Ajith |title='Corona Papers' review: Crime meets suspense in Priyadarshan's thriller saga |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/04/06/corona-papers-priyadarshan-malayalam-movie-shane-nigam-shine-tom-chacko-review.html |date=2023-04-06 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=OnManorama |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407212230/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/04/06/corona-papers-priyadarshan-malayalam-movie-shane-nigam-shine-tom-chacko-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sanjith Sidhardhan, critic for ''[[OTTplay]]'', stated that "For a crime thriller, Corona Papers ends up as a rather tedious watch due to its intent-less characters and meandering storytelling" and gave 2 out of 5 stars.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first1=Sanjith |last1=Sidhardhan |title=Corona Papers review: Priyadarshan's crime thriller about a missing gun misfires |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/corona-papers-review-priyadarshans-thriller-about-a-missing-gun-and-consequent-crime-spree-largely-misfires/8ab04ffc25119 |date=2023-04-06 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406122659/https://www.ottplay.com/review/corona-papers-review-priyadarshans-thriller-about-a-missing-gun-and-consequent-crime-spree-largely-misfires/8ab04ffc25119 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Remakes of films by Akira Kurosawa]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* {{IMDb title|tt24683702}}
{{Priyadarshan}}
[[Category:Malayalam remakes of Tamil films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:2023 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2020s police procedural films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Kerala Police]]
[[Category:Police detective films]]
[[Category:Indian detective films]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Akira Kurosawa]]

Corona Papers - Revision history

Harleen singh at 09:45, 3 March 2026