‘Kerala Crime Files 2' web series review: An intriguing sequel that improves upon the original

As far as series openings go, Kerala Crime Files 2 takes off from quite a peculiar situation. All the police officers at a particular station have received transfer orders over suspected links with criminals and goons. A new set of police officers, clueless about the place or the criminal activity in the area, have just taken charge. Before they could ease into their new seats, they are forced to launch a search operation for one of their own.
Kerala Crime Files 2
Director: Ahammed Khabeer
Cast: Indrans, Harisree Ashokan, Sirajudheen Nazar, Arjun Radhakrishnan, Lal, Aju Varghese, Navas Vallikkunnu, Sanju Sanichen, Shibla Fara
Episodes: 6
Run-time: 30 minutes each
Storyline: A civil police officer goes missing, sending a new set of officers at a police station on a challenging hunt.
The initial piecing together of the complex character of Ambili Raju (Indrans), the missing Civil police officer who was among the transferred bunch, makes up some of the best passages in the six episode-series directed by Ahammed Khabeer, a follow up to the first web series made in Malayalam in 2023. The unassuming officer is the kind of person who is vital to any investigation team, with his wide network of acquaintances and deep knowledge of the place. He has his share of shady links, most of them cultivated for the purpose of his profession, yet he remains unsullied by it all through sheer strength of character.
When rookie officer Noble (Arjun Radhakrishnan) launches into an investigation to trace Ambili Raju, this character study throws up the possibility of him being either a victim or a partner in crime. This intriguing prospect drives the initial episodes, which alternate between character sketches and police procedural. But with Bahul Ramesh, who scripted Kishkindha Kaandam, taking up the writing responsibilities in the second season, there was always the possibility of something more, and he does not disappoint on that count. Without any of the hangover of the first season, despite some characters making a reappearance, the second season treads a fresh path.
Getting the pacing right
Dogs are a recurring presence all through in season 2, right from the prologue which has police dogs at a scene of crime. The screenplay uses them more than as a mere presence, but as silent drivers of the narrative. Just like in the first season, the makers get the pacing right on most of the episodes, except in the middle when it goes around in circles for a bit. Yet, the writer makes up for this with some inspired writing in the end, which elevates the second season above the level of a run-of-the-mill police procedural. Yet another perceptive character study becomes the heart of this part too. It is a moving passage which leaves the viewer thinking more on the situations that drive people to do certain things, rather than baying for the blood of the culprits. Such are the feelings evoked by crime writing which more than skims the surface.
Veteran actors Indrans and Harisree Ashokan as well as the younger bunch including Arjun Radhakrishnan and Sirajudheen Nazar deliver what is required of them. Aided by Bahul Ramesh's screenplay, Ahammed Khabeer creates a follow up which improves upon the original.
Kerala Crime Files 2 is currently streaming on Jio Hotstar.

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