Here is a film with a nice storyline that succeeds in keeping the intricacies of the narrative intact. The film begins by focusing on the life of Sathyanathan (Sreenivasan), who travels on a season ticket regularly, to his office and back. He is a nice soul, with a concern for the well being of others.

One night, he remains asleep on his way back after a tiring day in his office and fails to get down from the train at his destination, Nellayi. That results in a chance meeting with Advocate Nandan Menon (Dileep), who also happens to be a fellow traveler in the same train, on his way to Guruvayur.

Around the same time, Nandan's wife Anuradha (Mamta), a TV journalist, is all set to unearth a scoop involving the tainted defense minister of the state. Though he was a total stranger until some moments ago, Sathyanathan proves to be the crucial factor in the lives of the couple, after the minister and his goons start chasing them.

The best thing about the film is its ensemble cast that puts together a fine show, without the bindings of any set images. Dileep never tries to impose his heroics and is riveting, Sreenivasan is superb as the ‘Good Samaritan' and Mamta for once, shines in a non-glamorous role. But the surprise package is the inimitable Jagathy Sreekumar, essaying an amazing performance as the corrupt minister, who in fact is a cold blooded villain.

True, the film has its loose ends in the script and the director has gone for a conventional style rather than a modern approach, in the presentation. The dialogues are at times dramatic as well. But on the whole he has been successful in presenting the story as an engrossing thriller with a stunning climax.

A considerable portion of the film happens inside the railway compartments and that has been handled with the expertise of a seasoned filmmaker. The visuals are quite good and the background score has been used in a highly effective way.

It's the gripping manner of presentation that makes the film, a must watch. As one comes out of the theatres after watching the film, several questions arise in our minds regarding the various possibilities that the protagonists had, in the given situation. Now, that's exactly where the film succeeds. It makes you think about it for sure even after you're out of the theatres, perhaps unlike other recent films!

Passenger, is a taut thriller, with gritty performances that keeps the mercury rising. It moves like a super fast express train, racy with a running time of 2 hours, and is worth a ride. Go for it!

Verdict: Good