| Written by | Ashiq Aimar |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ahammed Khabeer |
| Starring | Aju Varghese Lal |
| Music by | Hesham Abdul Wahab |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Producer | Rahul Riji Nair |
| Original network | Disney+ Hotstar |
Gist of the Story
With just one lead—a fictitious address, Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara—found in a lodge registration, a group of six police officers commanded by Sub-Inspector Manoj are attempting to crack a murder in a suburban lodge room.
Detailed Plot
Sub-Inspector Manoj (Aju Varghese) and his squad are summoned to investigate a murder when a sex worker is discovered strangled to death at a sleazy lodge in Ernakulam. They are led astray by false information that the suspect has provided wherever he has resided or worked as they start their search for the killer. Being a sex worker, the victim’s life has received little attention, and the way society views women like her is made clear by the lack of pressure from the media or lawmakers to quickly apprehend the suspect. However, Manoj, his superior Circle Inspector Kurien (Lal), and the squad are tenacious in their hunt for the murderer and will not give up till they get him. With just one lead—a fictitious address, Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara—found in a lodge registration, a group of six police officers commanded by Sub-Inspector Manoj are attempting to crack a murder in a suburban lodge room. Even if the case is straightforward, can they ever catch the murderer?
Artistes’ Performances
As sub inspector Manoj, Aju Varghese gives a controlled performance that gives his character legitimacy and helps the spectator feel for him at various points over the gruelling six-day investigation. Without making much of an effort, the actor gives his character a sense of dignity, and it is obvious that he has changed himself for this part. Lal’s role as the seasoned senior cop who spouts expletives when irritated demonstrates the human side of police officers who are eager to solve the growing cases. The remaining members of the group, Zhinz Shan, Navas Vallikkunnu, and Sanju Sanichen, were well aware of their task and executed it flawlessly.
Direction / Technical Side
It is immediately apparent that the creators want to represent the police routine as accurately as possible. Even the episode names—Crime Scene, Mahazar, Detection, Findings, Evidence, and Charge Sheet—are based on the different investigative processes. Ashiq Aimar did a fantastic job on Kerala Crime Files’ writing, while Ahammed Khabeer did a great job on the film’s direction. The tight storyline and the way the many levels play out are in perfect harmony, suggesting that the two have a solid knowledge of one another’s vision. Because each episode is only about 30 minutes long, the creators are fully aware that focusing on side tales for too long would be annoying to viewers. Although family relationships are discussed, the main narrative is never at any point overshadowed by these moments.
The stars of this performance are Jithin Stanislaus, who shot the video, and Hesham Abdul Wahab, who composed the music. Not a single frame appears to be pointless or dull. Even in passages that are just a routine inquiry, Hesham’s soundtrack makes a huge contribution to keeping the suspense high. For Disney+ Hotstar, Ahammed Khabeer’s entrance into the genre was a sure thing. The first Malayalam web series on the streaming service is a well-made police procedural that manages to keep viewers interested throughout its six-episode run without becoming stale.
Verdict; Disney+ Hotstar’s Kerala Crime Files is a well-made police procedural that keeps viewers interested throughout its six-episode run, despite a simple narrative. Writing and direction by Ashiq Aimar and Ahammed Khabeer showcase their strong collaboration, creating a tight storyline and harmonious levels.