Yes, Kannur Squad is based on a true story. Kannur Squad is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Roby Varghese Raj. Produced by Mammootty under the banner of Mammooti Kampany, the movie features Mammootty, Rony David Raj, Shabareesh Verma, Azees Nedumangad, Kishore and Vijayaraghavan.
Kannur Squad draws inspiration from a real-life Kannur Squad, a special investigation unit of the Kerala Police formed in Kannur District in the year 2008. The story is not only rooted in a real police unit but is also loosely based on real-life cases cracked by the unit. However, the movie incorporates some fictional elements for a dramatic effect and thrilling experience for the audience.
Plot Summary
The story opens in the year 2015 with the introduction of Kannur Squad, a four-member special investigation unit of the Kerala Police, comprising of ASI George Martin and constables Jayan, Jose and Shafi. The team discovers a body in the Kannur-Virajpet forest area. They launch an investigation and solve the case by catching the murderers. Soon after solving the case, the squad faces a setback when Jayan is caught accepting bribe from the sand mafia. Consequently, the Kannur Squad is disbanded.
Moving to the year 2017, a wealthy NRI businessman in Kasargod is brutally murdered during a home invasion and robbery. Due to political pressure to catch the culprits, Kerala Police revives Kannur Squad and assigns George to lead the investigation. The squad skillfully pieces the clues together to identify the main culprits, a gang led by brothers Ameer Shah and Zulfiqar Ali.
The chase turns into a manhunt as Kannur Squad pursues the criminals, right from Mumbai and Faizabad to the Indo-Nepal border in the far north. Following an intense final confrontation, the Kannur Squad arrests the culprits and brings them to Kerala.
Real-World Elements
Kannur Squad was formed in the year 2008 by the then Superintendent of Police of Kannur district, S Sreejith. The real Kannur Squad comprised of Additional Sub-Inspector Matthew Jose, Assistant Sub-Inspector Baby George and senior civil police officers Vinodkumar P, Raphy Ahmed M A, Manojkumar K, Sunilkumar C, Jayarajan K, Rajasekar C K and Reji Scaria. From 2007 to 2017, Kannur Squad solved multiple tough cases and nabbed criminals across India.
The film’s main plot is inspired from the murder case of Abdul Salam Haji. Haji was an industrialist who was murdered by a gang of robbers at his home in Kasargod. Kannur Squad undertook an adventurous mission and nabbed the murderers from 6000 kilometres away from the crime scene.
The movie depicts real investigative and police procedures, with certain fictional additions like twists, incidents and character details.