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Although it is very popular among reputed production companies and streaming giants, it comes as a surprise to many that no one has actually succeeded in creating a popular web series in the Malayalam industry. Although there were some attempts, it went unnoticed due to its mediocre quality.
However, the tide has finally turned as the Malayalam industry has finally embarked on commendable endeavors in the OTT world and Disney Plus Hotstar recently premiered its first Malayalam series, Kerala Crime FilesIn great anticipation. And it’s safe to say that the makers have won by subtly introducing a simple, yet compelling, conditional action.
It is directed by Ahmed Khabeer who has previously directed films like June and Madhuram, Kerala Crime Files (KCF) It revolves around the murder of a sex worker in a hostel and the subsequent police investigation that unfolds.
Set in Kochi in 2011, the series wastes no time in creating atmosphere and quickly captures viewers’ attention with the main plot. The story begins when the receptionist at a local hostel discovers the dead body of a sex worker in one of the rooms. Led by Circuit Inspector Kurian Avaran (Lal) and Sub-Inspector Manoj Sridharan (Aju Varghese), a team of five police officers start taking action to catch the culprit. However, they are armed with limited information – the name, “Shijou”, and a fake address, “Paraiel Fido, Nindakara”, given by the suspect at the inn. Despite being a low-profile case without outside pressure, the determined cops invest all their efforts in solving the increasingly complex mystery. Even after facing countless obstacles and dead ends, they persistently pursue the investigation, as the culprit has been skillfully deceiving everyone with a fabricated title for several years.
Funded by Rahul Rigi Nair under the banner of First Print Studios, KCF delivers a captivating experience right from the start, thanks to its tightly woven script that stays focused without trying to bite off more than it can chew. Despite taking an episodic storytelling approach, the creators wisely refrain from adding unnecessary elements that could disrupt the smooth flow of the narrative and investigation process. As one character points out “because the victim is a sex worker, the case is considered low,” there aren’t many nibbling moments in KCF. However, writer Ashiq Aimar deserves credit for effectively keeping viewers thrilled throughout, as even a minor mistake could have irreparably derailed the story.
The portrayal of the victim and other sex workers in KCF is commendable as the filmmakers treat them with respect, deviating from the way these characters have been traditionally portrayed in Malayalam cinema. However, there is a slight setback in the shooting during the climax, with the dialogues lacking careful consideration. If the makers noticed this flaw and corrected it, KCF could have gained recognition for its compassionate portrayal of sex workers.
While the final blows in two episodes may seem imposed and built for their own sake, the narrative effectively balances them out by tying them seamlessly with the beginnings of later episodes, thus averting any potential disaster.
Furthermore, although KCF offers glimpses into the investigating officers’ personal lives, it never ventures beyond a certain point, ensuring that it remains true to its type.
There’s no denying that acting on KCF is one of his main strengths, especially when it comes to portraying investigating officers. Aju Varghese, known for his comedic roles, ensures a noteworthy performance as the composed and diligent SI Manoj, showcasing his versatility. Lal, on the other hand, offers a powerful and compelling portrait of a superior officer who not only supports his team but also grapples with personal struggles while piecing together a puzzle. Zhinz Shan once again demonstrated his exceptional talent in bringing the supporting characters to life with remarkable accuracy. Notably, Navas Vallikunu, Sanju Sanation, and Devaki Rajendran also shine in their roles, adding more depth to the ensemble cast.
While director Ahmed Khabeer occasionally incorporates stylistic elements common to Hindi web series, particularly in the crime genre, he successfully maintains the intended tone of the script without succumbing to unnecessary clichés. Rather than insert extravagant elements that could have turned the story into a bland thriller, Ahmed cleverly sticks to the police procedural tone of the script. However, there are moments when excessive use of blue becomes somewhat annoying.
Gethin Stanislaus’ cinematography deserves special recognition as it skillfully captures the essence of the narrative, showing great care without overdoing it, allowing the show to develop at its own pace. Once again, Music Director Hisham Abdel Wahab proves his exceptional talent, and this is especially evident in the unforgettable KCF address that will remain in the minds of viewers until a worthy opponent appears. The contributions of production designer Prathap Raveendran and editor Mahesh Bhuvanend are also noteworthy, adding to the overall excellence of KCF. All these combined make KCF a great entry of the Malayalam industry into the world of web series that are being spearheaded by streaming giants.
In short, Kerala Crime Files effectively engages viewers with its content artfully depicted, even though it has a straightforward plot and story follows that doesn’t rely much on edge-of-the-seat moments. It manages to attract attention by presenting its elements with precision and finesse.
Kerala crime files cast: Aju Varghese, Lal, Jeans Chan, Navas Falicono, Sanju Sanation, Devaki Rajendran
Kerala Crime File Manager: Ahmed Khabeer
Classification of crime files in Kerala: 3.5 stars
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