As a crime reporter who has extensively visited different courts in Kerala to report on several big and small cases, I have always seen the Personal Security Officers (PSOs) who accompany judges like shadows, carrying bags and files. I have always wondered whether these police personnel perform their PSO duties willingly or not.
Rahul Riji Nair’s latest directorial venture ‘Flask’ is a refreshing family entertainer that narrates the story of such a PSO, enacted by Saiju Kurup. The film draws its strength from simplicity and sincerity.
Centered around the life of a PSO assigned to an arrogant and unyielding district judge, Venkitesh Balaji (portrayed by actor Suresh Krishna), the film explores the emotional and moral complexities faced by an ordinary policeman who wanted to be a singer but joined the force due to societal and family pressure.
Hats off to actor Saiju Kurup, who delivers one of his most grounded and memorable performances. Saiju Kurup has matured into an actor who can portray ordinary people with ease, humour, and conviction.
Saiju plays the role of the PSO with remarkable authenticity, capturing the internal conflict of someone struggling to balance being a policeman with his dream of becoming a singer.
His chemistry with the judge forms the emotional backbone of the film. Their interactions—often tense, at times humorous—capture the friction between authority and subservience, discipline and empathy.
Director Rahul Riji Nair keeps the narrative clean and focused, steering clear of unnecessary melodrama. The screenplay is tight, and the dialogues are natural and often laced with gentle humour that makes the characters relatable and the situations endearing.
What makes this movie stand out is its ability to entertain the audience as a simple film without much fuss or action. It doesn’t rely on grandeur or high-voltage drama but wins hearts through its emotional honesty and the warmth of its characters. By the time the end credits roll, the audience leaves with a sense of contentment—just like finishing a satisfying home-cooked meal.
