Latest news with #Ambili
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Soubin Shahir's 'Monica' hook step; Lokesh Kanagaraj grooves along
Malayalam actor set the stage on fire at a recent award function with a performance that no one quite expected—but no one will forget either. Dancing to Monica, the chartbuster from 's upcoming Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, Soubin turned the evening electric, leaving even director Lokesh visibly impressed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Soubin vs Monica: And the hook step winner is... Wearing a vibrant yellow kurta, Soubin matched the beats with unfiltered energy and style. What made it more special? The song Monica, originally picturised on Pooja Hegde, was expected to be the talk of the town for her glam presence—but it was Soubin who ended up stealing the thunder. His version of the now-trending hook step went viral within hours, drawing praise from fans across language barriers. The performance was shared by the official Coolie page and has since clocked millions of views. The comment section? A storm of claps, fire emojis, and people jokingly suggesting Soubin should have featured in the actual video. One comment read, "He is the true highlight of the song." Another comment read, "Soubin chetta is a true vibe." Lokesh Kanagaraj's reaction adds to the buzz Director Lokesh Kanagaraj can be seen cheering from the audience, visibly enjoying Soubin's grooves. Insiders say he walked backstage later to personally congratulate the 'Ambili' actor. A familiar rhythm, A familiar charm This isn't the first time Soubin has gone viral for his dance moves. His performance in Njan Jackson Alleda from the film Ambili had earlier shown audiences a rare combination—comic timing with rhythm. What sets him apart? He doesn't just dance. He acts while doing it. About 'Coolie' Meanwhile, 'Coolie' starring in the lead, is all set to hit the big screens on August 14. The movie also features Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Aamir Khan, and many others.
Pink Villa
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kerala Crime Files 2 Ending Explained: Who was responsible for Ambili Raju's disappearance in Aju Varghese starrer web series?
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers. Kerala Crime Files is a Malayalam-language crime drama web series that is available for streaming on JioHotstar. The first season of the show, titled Kerala Crime Files - Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara, was released on June 23, 2023. Nearly 2 years after the 1st season, the second season of the series titled Kerala Crime Files 2 - The Search for CPO Ambili Raju is here. The subsequent season began streaming on the OTT platform from June 20, 2025. Kerala Crime Files 2 features the tale of SI Noble, a newly assigned police officer who is assigned to a remote police station in rural Thiruvananthapuram. Accompanied by Officer Kurian Avaran and the team, the SI comes across a mysterious case. In a turn of events, Civil Police Officer (CPO) Ambili Raju goes missing shortly after being transferred. The policeman is known for having suspicious ties with questionable people. As the investigation intensifies, SI Noble and the rest of the team realize how CPO Ambili had quite a reputation among the people. While being noted to have a personality with integrity, the man is known to be dominant and makes people he helps feel indebted towards him. Owing to his ties with criminals, he is linked to a criminal case with the Bengaluru police demanding a bribe of Rs 20 lakh from him to remove his name. In hopes of finding the money, Ambili and a criminal, Ayyappan, try to procure an antique ring. However, things take a turn when a dog called Terry accidentally swallows it. Now, Ambili and Ayyappan need to end the dog's life and take out the ring from its body. Despite the latter's hesitation, they do it, but soon, both of them go missing. Spoiler Alert As SI Noble, along with the rest of the team, investigates the case, they find out that Jaismon, the son of a petty thief, was responsible for Ambili and Ayyappan gone missing. Soon, we are shown that Jaismon was a dog trainer who had an immense love for dogs. The man had planned to adopt Terry from the shelter, but before he could, Ambili and Ayyappan ended the dog's life. After learning the truth, Jaismon kills them both and feeds their lifeless bodies to stray dogs.
Scroll.in
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
Review: Season 2 of ‘Kerala Crime Files' is more ambitious, busier and meatier
The first season of Kerala Crime Files was a slow-and-steady police procedural revolving around a sex worker's murder. Some of the actors from the 2023 Malayalam series – Aju Varghese and Lal among them – are back for a second round that is more ambitious, busier and meatier. Ahammed Khabeer also returns as director, relying this time on a deliciously intricate script by Bahul Ramesh, the writer-cinematographer of Kishkinda Kaanadam (2024). The lingering effects of loss – the main theme in Kishkindha Kanadam – is one of the ideas driving the six-episode show on JioHotstar. Kerala Crime Files: The Search for CPO Ambili Raju begins with the police sniffer dog Terry's strange antics during a robbery investigation. Terry is prematurely retired from the police force for his misbehaviour. Ten months later, Noble (Arjun Radhakrishnan) takes up a new posting at a police station in Trivandrum. Noble's very first case under Kurian (Lal) is the disappearance of the policeman Ambili (Indrans). Ambili is reputed for his honesty and problem-solving skills. Ambili is also something of a maverick, maintaining close ties with his first wife's new husband Ayyappan (Harisree Asokan). Ambili's vanishing foxes his colleagues, especially since Ayyappan appears to be missing too. The investigation spans the length and breadth of Kerala and spills over into neighbouring states. Suspicion about Ambili's true nature opens out to a larger examination of the complexities of human behaviour. The links between Terry and Ambili's fate emerge gradually. Despite some unnecessary padding, the second season is gripping, suspenseful and remarkably detailed in revealing how the police go about their work. From poring over CCTV footage to following a stray dog's trail, Nobel and his colleagues hunt high and low for Ambili and Ayyappan. The rigour in Bahul Ramesh's writing and Ahammed Khabeer's direction of his sprawling cast is in lockstep with the efforts of the characters to dot every I and cross every T. Unfussy, focused on the task at hand, and committed to cracking the mystery – the new season is a big improvement on its predecessor. The well-researched script finds ways to bring back Aju Varghese's Manoj into the story. Co-operation between police stations and teamwork across the hierarchy ensure that attention is paid to even minor characters. The cast is uniformly good, with Arjun Radhakrishnan especially strong as the low-key hero whose bold punt leads to a breakthrough in the case. Apart from the humans, dogs too play a role in the proceedings. The closing credits name the canines who instigate actions that are stranger than fact and memorably explored through fiction. Play
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- 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
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kerala Crime Files 2: From gripping narrative to stellar performances by Harisree Ashokan and Indrans; Here's why the sequel is a must-watch
The much-anticipated sequel to the Malayalam web series Kerala Crime Files is finally here!. With its intriguing teaser and a powerful ensemble cast, the buzz surrounding the second season had fans eagerly counting down the days. But does it live up to the expectations? Absolutely. A procedural drama at its core Titled Kerala Crime Files 2 – The Search for CPO Ambili Raju, the sequel takes a more procedural approach than its predecessor. The series revolves around the mysterious disappearance of police officer Ambili, portrayed by the ever-versatile Indrans . Unlike typical crime thrillers, this season dives deep into the methodical aspects of an investigation. From decoding crime scenes to SI Noble's unconventional yet vital theory involving the reverse trail of a stray dog, the show offers a refreshing and realistic take on police procedures. The clever use of tools like Google Maps further grounds the narrative in the everyday experiences of viewers, making it both authentic and relatable. An engaging and layered storyline by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Audiologists Furious About New $100 Device That Makes Hearing Crystal Clear Again Top Trending News Today Learn More Undo Writer Bahul Ramesh, known for Kishkindakandam, brings a fresh voice to the series with a tightly woven storyline that keeps audiences hooked till the very end. Each episode ends with a cliffhanger—whether it's a severed finger found in a garbage dump or Jeo Baby 's character at a burial site—leaving viewers eager for more. Unlike the linear plot of the first season, the sequel branches out with multiple interconnected storylines, enriching the narrative and expanding the series' thematic scope.
