Dridam is a Malayalam crime thriller that combines police investigation, mystery, drama and suspense. The film features Shane Nigam in the lead role as Sub-Inspector Vijay Radhakrishnan, a young police officer who finds himself facing a difficult case after being posted to a hill station. The movie focuses on his determination to uncover the truth while dealing with pressure from his department and the local public.
The film has an ensemble cast featuring experienced Malayalam actors as well as younger performers. Along with Shane Nigam, the cast includes Shobi Thilakan, Kottayam Ramesh, Dinesh Prabhakar, Nandan Unni, Krishna Prabha, Saniya Fathima, Prasant Murali, Mathew Varghese and several other supporting artists. Each character contributes to the investigation-driven atmosphere of the story.
Directed by Martin Joseph, Dridam was written by Jomon John and Linto Devasia. The film was produced by Mukesh R. Mehta and C. V. Sarathi under the E4 Experiments and Bedtime Stories banners, with Jeethu Joseph associated with the project as presenter. The technical team includes cinematographer P. M. Unnikrishnan, editor V. S. Vinayak and music composer Sreerag Saji.
Dridam was released worldwide on May 8, 2026, and later became available for streaming on JioHotstar from June 12, 2026. The film has a runtime of around 128 minutes and belongs primarily to the crime, drama and thriller genres.
Dridam Movie Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Dridam |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Release Date | May 8, 2026 |
| Runtime | Approximately 128 minutes |
| Director | Martin Joseph |
| Lead Actor | Shane Nigam |
| Lead Character | Vijay Radhakrishnan |
| Writers | Jomon John, Linto Devasia |
| Producers | Mukesh R. Mehta, C. V. Sarathi |
| Production Banners | E4 Experiments, Bedtime Stories |
| Cinematography | P. M. Unnikrishnan |
| Editing | V. S. Vinayak |
| Music | Sreerag Saji |
| OTT Platform | JioHotstar |
| OTT Release | June 12, 2026 |
What Is Dridam About?
Dridam follows Vijay Radhakrishnan, a young and ambitious police officer who receives his first posting at a station located in a hill region. He initially expects a relatively peaceful assignment, but the situation quickly changes when disturbing criminal incidents begin to surface. What appears to be a quiet place gradually becomes the centre of a complicated investigation.
The discovery of human remains becomes an important turning point in the story. Vijay is pushed into an investigation that becomes more difficult as he tries to understand what happened and identify those responsible. He has to work under departmental pressure while also dealing with public expectations for a quick solution.
The movie mainly explores the investigation process, the pressure faced by a police officer and the challenges involved in finding the truth. Instead of depending only on action, the story builds its tension through mystery, investigation and the different people connected to the case.
Full Cast of Dridam
The cast of Dridam includes a mix of well-known Malayalam performers and supporting actors. Shane Nigam leads the film as Vijay Radhakrishnan, while Shobi Thilakan, Kottayam Ramesh and Dinesh Prabhakar play important supporting roles. The movie also features Saniya Fathima, Krishna Prabha, Nandan Unni, Prasant Murali and several other actors.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Shane Nigam | SI Vijay Radhakrishnan |
| Shobi Thilakan | ASI Krishnan Kurup |
| Kottayam Ramesh | Balan Nair |
| Dinesh Prabhakar | CPO Satyan |
| Nandan Unni | CPO Anand |
| Saniya Fathima | CPO Vidya Jayachandran |
| Krishna Prabha | CPO Remya Surendran |
| Vinod Bose | CPO Bibish |
| Prasant Murali | Saneesh |
| Mathew Varghese | DYSP Alex Jacob |
| Abhiram Radhakrishnan | Manoj |
| Joji K. John | Shaji |
| Bitto Davis | Sabu |
| Abhishek Raveendran | Shankar |
| Sreedhanya Thekkedath | Vijay’s Mother |
Dridam Actor Name – Shane Nigam
SI Vijay Radhakrishnan, played by Shane Nigam, is the main character of Dridam. Vijay has been depicted as a young police officer taking up his first big project with zeal. His character gets involved in managing a tough investigation due to the discovery of human skeletons as well as other criminal activities in the region.
The performance of Shane Nigam is critical since the entire process of investigation depends on the character of Vijay. His efforts to comprehend the situation, handle pressure, and get to know the individuals behind the crime form the crux of the plot.
Dridam Actress Name
It must be understood that there is no heroine playing the role of the romantic hero in the film Dridam because it is an investigative film. There are, however, many actresses who are part of the supporting actors in the film.
CPO Vidya Jayachandran is played by Saniya Fathima, who is one of the police officers involved in the investigation. CPO Remya Surendran is played by Krishna Prabha, and Vijay’s mother is played by Sreedhanya Thekkedath.
Saniya Fathima as Vidya Jayachandran
CPO Vidya Jayachandran is played by Saniya Fathima. She is one of the many characters who are a part of the police team that surrounds the investigation being carried out by Vijay. This is not a traditional love interest role.
Krishna Prabha as Remya Surendran
The role of CPO Remya Surendran is played by actress Krishna Prabha. She is another member of the police force who features in the film, being a part of the larger group associated with Vijay and the case.
Sreedhanya Thekkedath as Vijay’s Mother
Sreedhanya Thekkedath plays Vijay’s mother. Her role provides a connection to the personal side of the protagonist and gives audiences a glimpse beyond Vijay’s professional life as a police officer.
Shobi Thilakan as Krishnan Kurup
Shobi Thilakan plays ASI Krishnan Kurup in Dridam. His character belongs to the police setup and is connected with Vijay’s professional environment. The presence of an experienced performer like Shobi Thilakan strengthens the investigative team surrounding the protagonist.
Kottayam Ramesh as Balan Nair
Kottayam Ramesh appears as Balan Nair, another important character in the movie. He is among the prominent supporting actors in the cast and shares the screen with Shane Nigam and other performers. His character forms part of the wider network of people connected with the story.
Dinesh Prabhakar as Sathyan
Dinesh Prabhakar plays CPO Sathyan. His role is connected to the police team and contributes to the investigation-focused storyline. Dinesh Prabhakar is one of the experienced supporting performers who help create the serious atmosphere required for the crime thriller.
Nandan Unni as Anand
Nandan Unni plays CPO Anand in Dridam. His character is another member of the police team and participates in the professional environment surrounding Vijay. Nandan Unni’s role adds another layer to the group of officers involved in the investigation.
Prasant Murali as Saneesh
Prasant Murali appears as Saneesh. Although he is part of the supporting cast, his character is included among the important performers associated with the film’s investigation and dramatic developments. Prasant Murali is also one of the actors specifically highlighted in the movie’s principal cast listings.
Mathew Varghese as DYSP Alex Jacob
Mathew Varghese plays DYSP Alex Jacob, a senior police character in the movie. His position gives him a connection to the administrative and departmental side of the investigation. The character also helps establish the pressure and hierarchy that Vijay faces during the case.
Other Supporting Cast of Dridam
Dridam features a fairly large supporting cast, with several performers appearing in police, family and other character roles. Abhiram Radhakrishnan plays Manoj, Joji K. John plays Shaji, Bitto Davis appears as Sabu and Abhishek Raveendran plays Shankar. Vinod Bose is credited as Bibish, adding another character to the film’s investigative world.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Vinod Bose | Bibish |
| Abhiram Radhakrishnan | Manoj |
| Joji K. John | Shaji |
| Bitto Davis | Sabu |
| Abhishek Raveendran | Shankar |
| Sreedhanya Thekkedath | Vijay’s Mother |
| Joji Mundakayam | Shaji |
| Babitha Basheer | Sindhu |
| Husiyar | Tea Boy |
| Appunni Sasi | Watchman |
| Adam Ayub | Doctor |
Dridam Character Details
The characters in Dridam are largely connected to the film’s crime investigation. Vijay Radhakrishnan stands at the centre, while other police officers work around him or represent different levels of the department. Characters such as Krishnan Kurup, Sathyan, Anand, Vidya and Remya help establish the police environment in which the investigation unfolds.
The supporting characters also help expand the world outside the police station. Family members, local figures and other people connected with the investigation create additional layers in the story. This combination allows Dridam to function as an ensemble crime thriller rather than a film dependent on only one or two characters.
Story of Dridam
The story begins with Vijay Radhakrishnan receiving his first posting as a police officer at a hill station. He expects the new assignment to be relatively calm, but his expectations change when disturbing incidents begin affecting the region. The discovery of human remains introduces a serious criminal mystery that demands immediate attention.
Vijay finds himself caught between solving the case and managing pressure from his superiors and the public. The investigation becomes increasingly challenging as he tries to determine what happened and who may be responsible. The story uses this investigation as its central thread and gradually reveals the difficulties faced by the officer.
The movie therefore focuses on determination, police investigation and the search for truth. The hill-station setting provides a different atmosphere from the usual urban police thriller, while the mystery surrounding the crime keeps the protagonist and audience focused on the case.
Director of Dridam – Martin Joseph
Martin Joseph directed Dridam. The film marks his work as the director of this Malayalam crime thriller, with the story and screenplay developed by Jomon John and Linto Devasia. Their writing forms the foundation of the police investigation and mystery at the centre of the movie.
Martin Joseph’s direction keeps the movie centred on the investigation and the challenges faced by Vijay. The director works with an ensemble cast to create a police-driven narrative in which different characters become connected to the central mystery.
Writers of Dridam
The story, screenplay and dialogues of Dridam are credited to Jomon John and Linto Devasia. Their writing establishes Vijay’s first police posting and the chain of criminal events that transforms the seemingly peaceful location into the setting for an investigation.
The writing focuses on the mystery and the protagonist’s efforts to solve the case. Instead of presenting the story simply as a police action film, Dridam places considerable importance on investigation, pressure and the gradual discovery of information.
Dridam Production and Technical Team
The technical department plays an important role in creating the atmosphere of a crime thriller. P. M. Unnikrishnan handled cinematography, while V. S. Vinayak handled editing. Sunil Das worked on production design, and Lekha Mohan handled costumes. Sreerag Saji composed the music and background score.
| Department | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Martin Joseph |
| Story | Jomon John, Linto Devasia |
| Screenplay | Jomon John, Linto Devasia |
| Dialogues | Jomon John, Linto Devasia |
| Producers | Mukesh R. Mehta, C. V. Sarathi |
| Executive Producer | Katina Ann Jeethu |
| Cinematography | P. M. Unnikrishnan |
| Editor | V. S. Vinayak |
| Music | Sreerag Saji |
| Production Design | Sunil Das |
| Costume Design | Lekha Mohan |
| Makeup | Ratheesh Vijayan |
| Sound Design | Rahul Joseph, Seth M. Jacob |
| Action | Mahesh Mathew |
Dridam Release Date
The movie Dridam was officially premiered in theaters on May 8, 2026. It was an Indian movie that is a Malayalam crime thriller with a running time of about 128 minutes. As per the information provided by the Central Board of Film Certification, the film is produced in Malayalam and has a certification length of 128.40 minutes.
The theatrical release helped viewers get acquainted with Vijay Radhakrishnan played by Shane Nigam and also with the crimes investigation in the hill station. Later on, it got released on digital streaming.
Dridam OTT Release
Release of Dridam on the OTT platform JioHotstar happened on June 12, 2026. The movie is released for online viewing post its theatrical release, providing viewers of Malayalam thrillers an alternative mode to view the movie.
This OTT release proves beneficial for those viewers who are interested in Malayalam thriller movies on the subject of crime and investigation. The reason is that this movie has a very intriguing story, and it can be viewed via streaming as well.
Where to Watch Dridam
Dridam is available to watch online through JioHotstar. It is also listed through services that provide access to JioHotstar content, depending on the viewer’s location and subscription options.
Dridam Box Office Collection
Dridam had a theatrical release in May 2026. Reported box-office figures can vary between entertainment portals, but Filmibeat currently lists the film’s box-office collection at approximately ₹3.89 crore.
Because box-office figures can be revised as additional collection data becomes available, readers should treat reported totals as approximate rather than as a guaranteed final figure. The film’s later OTT availability also expanded its reach beyond its theatrical audience.
Awards and Honors
At present, there are no major widely established award wins that can be confidently listed for Dridam. The film’s main recognition has come through its cast, crime-thriller genre and the performances of actors such as Shane Nigam and the supporting ensemble.
It is better not to add unverified awards or nominations to the film’s profile. If Dridam receives official nominations or wins at major Malayalam, South Indian or national award ceremonies in the future, those details can be added separately.
Audience Response to Dridam
Dridam has received mixed responses from viewers and critics. Some audience reactions have appreciated the central investigation, the atmosphere and the performances, while others have found weaknesses in the writing or execution. This difference in opinion is common with mystery thrillers because viewers may respond differently to pacing, twists and the way the investigation develops.
The film’s strongest attraction for many viewers is its crime-investigation setup and Shane Nigam’s police character. The hill-station backdrop also gives the story a distinct atmosphere. At the same time, some reviews have criticised the screenplay and certain aspects of execution, making the overall response more mixed than universally positive.
Why Is the Cast of Dridam Special?
One of the strengths of Dridam is its ensemble cast. Instead of depending entirely on the lead actor, the movie brings together performers with different styles and levels of experience. Shane Nigam carries the central role, while actors such as Shobi Thilakan, Kottayam Ramesh and Dinesh Prabhakar strengthen the supporting side of the story.
The presence of several police characters also makes the cast suitable for an investigation thriller. Each officer occupies a different place within the story, creating a broader professional environment around Vijay. Female performers including Saniya Fathima and Krishna Prabha are also part of this police-oriented ensemble.
Interesting Facts About Dridam
- Dridam is a Malayalam crime thriller released in 2026.
- Shane Nigam plays the central character, SI Vijay Radhakrishnan.
- The film was directed by Martin Joseph.
- Jomon John and Linto Devasia handled the story and screenplay.
- The movie was released theatrically on May 8, 2026.
- Dridam later premiered on JioHotstar on June 12, 2026.
- Shobi Thilakan plays ASI Krishnan Kurup.
- Kottayam Ramesh plays Balan Nair.
- Dinesh Prabhakar plays CPO Sathyan.
- Saniya Fathima plays CPO Vidya Jayachandran.
- Krishna Prabha plays CPO Remya Surendran.
- P. M. Unnikrishnan handled the cinematography.
- V. S. Vinayak handled the editing.
- Sreerag Saji composed the music and background score.
- The story revolves around a police officer investigating serious crimes in a hill-station region.
Conclusion
The cast of Dridam brings together Shane Nigam and a strong group of Malayalam actors for a police investigation thriller. Shane Nigam leads the movie as SI Vijay Radhakrishnan, while Shobi Thilakan, Kottayam Ramesh, Dinesh Prabhakar, Nandan Unni, Saniya Fathima, Krishna Prabha, Prasant Murali and others play important supporting roles. The combination of police characters and supporting performers gives the movie a broad ensemble setup.
Directed by Martin Joseph and written by Jomon John and Linto Devasia, Dridam focuses on a young police officer who faces an unexpected criminal investigation after his first posting. With its mystery-driven story, hill-station setting and investigation-based narrative, the movie aims to offer a different kind of Malayalam crime thriller. It was released in May 2026 and later became available on JioHotstar.
For viewers searching for the Dridam cast, Dridam actress name, Dridam actor name, Dridam characters, story, OTT release and box-office collection, Shane Nigam’s Vijay Radhakrishnan remains the central attraction, supported by a diverse ensemble that helps build the film’s investigative world.
FAQs
Who is the lead actor in Dridam?
Shane Nigam is the lead actor in Dridam. He plays the role of SI Vijay Radhakrishnan, a police officer at the centre of the investigation.
Who is the actress in Dridam?
Saniya Fathima and Krishna Prabha are among the prominent female actors in Dridam. Saniya Fathima plays CPO Vidya Jayachandran, while Krishna Prabha plays CPO Remya Surendran.
What is the release date of Dridam?
Dridam was released in theatres on May 8, 2026. The Malayalam crime thriller is directed by Martin Joseph.
Where can I watch Dridam online?
Dridam is available for streaming on JioHotstar. Its OTT release took place on June 12, 2026, after its theatrical release.
What is the story of Dridam?
Dridam follows police officer Vijay Radhakrishnan as he investigates a serious criminal case after being posted to a hill-station area. The story combines crime, mystery, investigation and suspense.
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