BOTTOM LINE
Watchable Sequel with an Abrupt End
PLATFORM
ETV WIN
RUNTIME
105 Minutes (4 Episodes)
What Is the Show About?
Kanaka Mahalakshmi receives ample praise for unmasking the mastermind behind the eerie incidents in Repalle. Yet, she remains only half-satisfied, as there is little progress in tracing her friend Chandrika’s whereabouts. Soon, Kanakam finds crucial links in the jigsaw puzzle that reveal a surprising connection to her own past.
Performances
Varsha Bollamma, whose character went through a phase of transition in the first season, plays a straightforward, evolved part this time with a stamp of assurance and confidence. Megha Lekha, in a prominent role, makes her presence felt too. Other well-known faces, Rajeev Kanakala, Srinivas Avasarala, and Prem Sagar, don’t really get much to do this time around.
Analysis
The continued interest in mystical thrillers like the surprise success Shambhala and the OTT hit Constable Kanakam indicates one thing for sure: regardless of a story’s originality, quality execution and strong performances will always find an audience. Buoyed by the widespread viewership of the previous season, ETV Win has now released the second instalment of Constable Kanakam.
The first season ended on a cliffhanger, with the protagonist solving a major chunk of the case pertaining to the unnatural deaths in the village. However, with no answers in sight regarding her friend Chandrika’s prolonged disappearance, Kanakam takes it upon herself this season to dig out uncomfortable truths, even as an official team is in place to do the same.
Kanakam’s police station colleagues and the villagers are more or less at peace, believing the worst is behind them, but the guilt of being a reason behind Chandrika’s disappearance continues to haunt her. Even Chandrika’s parents have surprisingly moved on, holding only faint hopes of their daughter’s return. Amidst the gloom, Kanakam stands tall for her friend.
Though there’s an undercurrent of suspense that keeps the viewer curious and a few juicy twists deliver the goods, Constable Kanakam 2 significantly puts the spotlight on the drama involving its pivotal characters and their not-so-rosy pasts. The creators have retained the fiery spirit of Kanakam as a powerhouse of courage that flourishes under limitations, though she’s not tested much here.
The four brief episodes are populated by flashbacks that offer context to Chandrika’s disappearance, revealing the mastermind and the motive behind it. The writing continues to be slightly old-fashioned, revolving around baby-swapping and astrology, almost endorsing superstition and outdated beliefs. Yet, within the limitations of the premise, the narration is fairly engaging.
In terms of plot, there is very little left to tell; the second season is mostly a strategic ploy to connect a few loosely hanging threads from the earlier series. The final twist in the fourth episode is truly the saviour of the show, arriving with genuine shock value. However, even before it gains real momentum, there is a lead-in to a third season, a move that isn’t fully convincing.
While Constable Kanakam 2 is quite watchable, much like its predecessor, the only major complaint a viewer is bound to have is that it ends too quickly. Clocking in at around 100 minutes, the sequel has meaning only if treated as a minor extension of the first season. If you expect something meaty, you’ll likely view it as a meal where you’re asked to leave much before your tummy is full.
Music and Other Departments?
Suresh Bobbili’s best was reserved for the first season, given the vast scope that screenplay offered. He nevertheless provides enough urgency and tension to the proceedings and gives space for the characters and dialogues to breathe, without imposing the score upon the viewer.
The cinematography by Sriram Mukkapati is neat and does justice to the show’s backdrop, driving the story forward with the right aesthetic sense. The production design is alright, while the screenplay is salvaged by a few timely twists.
Highlights?
Good twists
Slick, doesn’t beat around the bush
Decent performances
Drawbacks?
Abrupt ending
Feels like a forced extension of first season
Did I Enjoy It?
Works in parts but ends quickly
Will You Recommend It?
Only if mystical thrillers interest you
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Constable Kanakam 2 OTT Series Review by M9
