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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review: Aju Varghese and Lal return in a sequel that's just as gripping as Season 1, if not better
Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review: Creating a sequel to a series that has impressed viewers is no easy task. It becomes even more challenging when it's planned as an episodic sequel. Although the characters and, to an extent, the setting and tone, may remain the same as the first part, the new installment is built entirely from scratch. It's almost like restarting a race from the starting line after having already run half the track. In the case of Kerala Crime Files Season 2, director Ahammed Khabeer has attempted something similar, completely setting aside the story and hangover of 'Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara' (the case explored in Season 1) to focus instead on the 'Search for CPO Ambili Raju'. Unlike Season 1, where we were introduced to the central crime in the very first sequence, Kerala Crime Files (KCF) Season 2 takes its time to settle into its world, brilliantly resisting the urge to push viewers to the edge of their seats at the earliest opportunity itself. Throughout the show, writer Bahul Ramesh and director Ahammed Khabeer maintain a steady tempo in the unravelling of the story, and, as a result, the investigation that forms its core. Unlike typical recent mystery films/shows that rely on constant twists and adrenaline-fueled moments to keep audiences on their toes, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 progresses at the deliberate pace set by Bahul and Ahammed at the outset itself, allowing the story to develop organically. Without overt exposition, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 introduces and gradually fleshes out its characters, revealing enough about them through their actions and reactions rather than spoon-feeding the viewers all the time. From the moment we meet CPO Ambili Raju (Indrans), we are given fragments to piece together to understand who he is. Despite being just a CPO at the fictional Kaniyarvila station, Ambili commands significant influence, even over anti-social elements and criminals, thanks to his fearlessness and supposed straightforward nature. But when a departmental reshuffle begins, thus transferring officers with questionable records and illicit ties to other stations, Ambili learns he, too, might be affected. However, before any official communication reaches him, he mysteriously disappears, prompting the newly appointed SHO Kurian Avaran (Lal) and SI Noble (Arjun Radhakrishnan) to launch an investigation. As the case unfolds, the officers make more and more startling revelations about Ambili, thus creating suspicions among them that his ex-wife's current husband, Ayyappan (Harisree Asokan), an ex-convict, might be involved in his disappearance. As the probe crosses district borders, Kurian's former colleague Manoj Sreedharan (Aju Varghese), now stationed in Ernakulam district, also steps in. The remainder of the show follows their efforts to unravel the mystery behind CPO Ambili Raju's disappearance. The strength of Kerala Crime Files Season 2 lies in the brilliant way Bahul Ramesh has crafted the narrative, stripping it of unnecessary commercialisation. Take the cliffhangers at the end of each episode, for instance. The first five episodes, out of a total of six, end on intriguing and compelling notes, yet none of them feels contrived. This is mainly because Bahul has deliberately avoided manufacturing hooks just for the sake of suspense. Instead, he has elevated key moments in the narrative organically, prompting viewers to move on to the next episode out of genuine curiosity, creating in them a sense of eagerness to piece together the puzzle and uncover the full picture. Though the script has not reached the spellbinding heights of his work in Kishkindha Kaandam (2024), Bahul ensures that the audience remains emotionally invested, not just in the investigation, but in the broader story and the dramatic aspects too. This is particularly effective because most of the new characters are exceptionally layered and have grey shades as well, and Bahul has completely avoided conveniently painting them in black or white. His skill in crafting strong character arcs, without rushing, and allowing them ample space to unfold naturally is evident here as well. Not just Ambili or Ayyappan, but even supporting characters like Jaismon (Sirajudheen Nazar), the Aashraya Dog Retirement Home in-charge (Jeo Baby) and Dr Raveena (Shibla Fara) are developed with care, without resorting to forced moments just to establish the multiple facets of their characters. However, the one area where Bahul has, unfortunately, stumbled is in the characterisation of Noble, who feels oddly disconnected from the otherwise layered narrative, as if a flat character was plucked from another story and inserted into this one. For example, right from the beginning, we're repeatedly told that Noble is into sports and was a volleyball player. This detail is mentioned multiple times. But in all honesty, it never becomes relevant to the narrative. Although this is his first posting in law and order, the script fails to meaningfully explore his inexperience, rendering the early detailing somewhat pointless. Instead, he's presented for the most part as a capable, though inexpert, officer who rarely makes mistakes. That said, Bahul refrains from giving even Noble any 'superpowers' to draw conclusions out of thin air. He ensures that the officers, much like in real life, unravel each clue slowly, building the investigation step by step. Simultaneously, the way Bahul and Ahammed have shaped the show's narrative and visual language is so effective that, even though we never actually see what happened to Ambili Raju in the end, we are still able to clearly grasp the full picture, thanks to how essential details are woven in at just the right moments. However, if you ask me whether it answers every doubt, I wouldn't give it a full thumbs-up. This season too reinforces the feeling that Ahammed Khabeer truly knows these officers and this setting, as if he has worked alongside them in real life. However, unlike Season 1, where we also witnessed characters at their most vulnerable, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 reserves such emotional depth mostly for the newly introduced ones. As a result, those like Kurian and Manoj come across as flat, and only those viewers who've seen the first season will understand their layers. Those who started watching the show from Season 2 might feel these characters lack depth. Lal and Aju, much like in Season 1, deliver brilliant and precise performances, as if the characters never actually left them. While the writing doesn't offer them the same breadth and depth as the previous installment, both actors still do a splendid job in their respective parts. Arjun Radhakrishnan, whose earlier work included some stiff and manufactured performances (most notably the jarring one in Identity), shows significant improvement here, slipping smoothly into the skin of Noble. Though his dialogue delivery occasionally comes off as too rigid, he compensates for it with his subtle and effective body language. Veterans are veterans for a reason, and Indrans and Harisree Asokan prove that here. Not only do they excel in their respective roles, but when they share the screen in a flashback scene at Ayyappan's home, their chemistry is electric; an example of two masters at work. At several moments, even their glances communicate more than what pages of dialogue could have. At the end of Episode 6, as the credits roll, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 acknowledges the dogs who played key roles in the show. Had the makers not done that, it would have been a serious disrespect. These canine buddies, particularly Simba (Terry), Jo (Robby) and Honey (Tippu), deliver such convincing performances that it's impossible to believe that they aren't professionals. While the new season is technically solid, just like the first, there are moments when Jithin Stanislaus' cinematography and Srik Varier's colouring (an issue present in Season 1 as well) feel artificial. Several close-up shots appear amateurish, and the unnecessary delay in ending some random shots, for dramatic effect, detracts from the viewing experience. Hesham Abdul Wahab's score, though largely good, occasionally feels tonally mismatched, making the show veer towards a motivational drama vibe that doesn't align with the narrative. Kerala Crime Files Season 2 cast: Aju Varghese, Lal, Arjun Radhakrishnan, Indrans, Harisree Asokan, Jeo Baby Kerala Crime Files Season 2 director: Ahammed Khabeer Kerala Crime Files Season 2 rating: 3.5 stars Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
United News of India
24-04-2025
- United News of India
Absconding KCF terrorist arrested by UP ATS
Lucknow, Apr 24 (UNI) A terrorist of banned terrorist organisation Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), who was on the run for almost 30 years, has been arrested by a joint police team of Noida unit of Uttar Pradesh Anti Terror Squad (ATS) and Sahibabad police under Ghaziabad Commissionerate, an official spokesman said here on Thursday. The spokesman said that the Noida unit of ATS was receiving information that a person Mangat Singh alias Manga, a resident of Timmbodal in Majhita district, Punjab and currently residing in Viveka Nagar in Ghaziabad, was an active member of banned organisation KCF. "An FIR for attempted murder and TADA was registered against him in Sahibabad police station. He was arrested on March 11, 1993 and sent to jail. Manga was absconding for almost 30 years after getting bail on August 16, 1995," he said. He said that the accused Manga's brother Sagat Singh, who was the chief of the KCF, was killed in an encounter in district Vyas by Punjab Police in 1990. "Accused Manga Singh is a criminal against whom cases are registered in Sahibabad. The accused is continuously absconding in these cases and has been avoiding the process of the court," he said. The spokesman said that in a case the court of Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) Ghaziabad had issued a permanent arrest warrant against the accused on December 12, 2024 and an arrest warrant was also issued on April 8, 2025. "The accused was continuously absconding in the case. A reward of Rs 25,000 was also announced on him by the Ghaziabad police," he said. He said when the intelligence was developed by the Noida Unit ATS through various means, it was found that the accused Manga was residing in village Timmowal under Khilchian police station in Amritsar, Punjab. "Manga was arrested on Wednesday by the joint team of ATS and Sahibabad police," he said. UNI AB PRS
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
KCF terrorist, elusive for 30 yrs, arrested by UP ATS
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) late Wednesday night arrested a long-absconding terrorist of the banned Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), who had been evading arrest for nearly 30 years. The accused, Mangat Singh alias Manga, carried a cash reward of Rs 25,000 and was wanted in multiple cases, including attempted murder and terrorism under (now defunct) the TADA Act. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of the ATS Noida unit and Sahibabad Police traced Mangat Singh to his native village Timmbowal in Amritsar, Punjab, and arrested him on Wednesday. The ATS officials said Manga had gone underground after being released on bail in 1995 and been changing locations and identities ever since. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Is Reported To Have Read Every... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo He is the younger brother of Sangat Singh, the former chief of the Khalistan Commando Force, who was killed in an encounter with Punjab Police in 1990. The ATS said that like his brother, Mangat, too, was an active member of the KCF and was first arrested in 1993 in Ghaziabad under serious charges, including Section 307 of the IPC, the Arms Act, and the TADA Act. Police said Mangat is a habitual offender, with at least four criminal cases registered against him at Sahibabad Police Station, including robbery, extortion, and criminal intimidation. "Despite multiple court-issued warrants, he managed to dodge the law for nearly three decades," the ATS said. The ATS developed intelligence using technical surveillance and support from central and local agencies before narrowing down his current hideout. Officials confirmed that he had returned to his hometown in Punjab recently, assuming he had dropped off the radar. "His arrest is a significant blow to pro-Khalistan sleeper cells . It also demonstrates the commitment of UP Police to bringing even long-absconding criminals to justice," a senior ATS officer said. Mangat Singh will now face prosecution in the pending cases, and further investigation is underway to trace any recent links with separatist networks, the officer added.
