Latest news with #KeralaCrimeFiles
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kerala Crime Files 2 star Sirajudheen Nazar on 1000 Babies' sequel; ‘Makers are ready with the content but…'
The role of Jaismon in Kerala Crime Files 2 has put Malayalam actor Sirajudheen Nazar in the spotlight. In an interview with OTTplay, the actor also gave an update on the sequel to 1000 Babies, another popular Malayalam web series. You can watch both Kerala Crime Files 2 and 1000 Babies on JioHotstar as well as OTTplay Premium. Kerala Crime Files 2 star Sirajudheen Nazar Watch Malayalam's best web series such as Kerala Crime Files, Perilloor Premier League and more on JioHotstar and OTTplay Premium Update on the sequel of 1000 Babies The young actor Sirajudheen, who is well-known for his performances in RDX and Kondal, disclosed that the sequel to the web series 1000 Babies, which debuted on the popular OTT streaming platform in October of last year, will give his character Bibin more screen time and significance. "The creators have already prepared the sequel's content, but they are currently working on a movie. Soon after the film, I hope they will start production on the second season. JioHotstar has confirmed the project, as per my knowledge," he remarked. Like every Malayali who is interested in the web series, Sirajudheen stated that he is also awaiting an official announcement on the subject. In the first season of 1000 Babies, Sirajudheen portrayed Bibin. The murky air surrounding his role in the story has kept viewers keen, especially in the web series' climax, even if his character is not shown as much. What is 1000 Babies all about? The focus of the web series is Sarah Ouseph, who has been keeping a sinister secret from others for years. Bibin, her son, goes completely crazy when she tells him the truth. Meanwhile, as part of his investigation into another murder case, CI Aji Kurian examines Sarah's confession and the consequences of her choices. The central questions in 1000 Babies are what Sarah confessed and who is accountable for a series of murders that appeared to be suicides or natural deaths. With its intriguing plot, the web series has been hailed for the experience of a gripping crime thriller that will certainly keep the audience on the edge of their seats. This series, which is supported by Shaji Nadesan and Arya under the auspices of August Cinema, has Rahman and Neena Gupta in key parts. The rest of the cast of 1000 Babies includes Ashwin Kumar, Adil Ibrahim, Sanju Sivaram, Irshad Ali, Joy Mathew, Manu M Lal, Dain Davis, and Radhika Radhakrishnan.
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
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kerala Crime Files Season 2 X review: Arjun Radhakrishnan and Aju Varghese-led crime thriller delivers an elevated experience
The highly anticipated second season of 'Kerala Crime Files' has officially released on OTT. The recent season, titled The Search for CPO Ambili Raju, made its way to OTT today (June 20), garnering positive reviews for a much better narrative than the first season. About 'Kerala Crime Files' season 2 The latest season introduces fresh twists and a brand-new mystery, with actors Arjun Radhakrishnan , Aju Varghese, Lal, Harisree Asokan and Indrans leading the cast. The plot revolves around the sudden vanishing of Civil Police Officer Ambili Raju—played with compelling restraint by Indrans—plunging the force into a crisis that seems to shake it from within. The story takes place in Thiruvananthapuram, a city in Kerala. Social media reviews Many on X (formerly Twitter) are taking to their social media handles to share reviews about the thrilling series. One of them wrote, '#KeralaCrimeFilesSeason2 is a solid upgrade on all aspects with an effectively poignant core. Bahul Ramesh's screenplay and visuals after the banger Kishkindha Kaandam! ❤🔥 While Arjun Radhakrishnan was impressive as always, it was Indrans & Harisree Ashokan who stole the show!' Another user reacted, '#KeralaCrimeFilesSeason2 – is a solid upgrade from S1 in plot to technical aspects. Decent performances, engaging screenplay, superb cinematography, neat execution & intense music work literally elevated the show. A perfect binge-watch for the weekend.' 'Kerala Crime Files' Season 2 Trailer: Arjun Radhakrishnan and Aju Varghese starrer 'Kerala Crime Files' Official Trailer A third viewer wrote, '#KeralaCrimeFilesSeason2 – VERY GOOD ONE 👏🏻 6 Episodes with Very Good Making & Writing. Performances from Each Cast were So Good. Ending Was a Cliché-Breaking One, But IMO should Specify More About The Incident & Felt Like They Left it Without Completing It. TOTALLY GOOD 3.8/5.' Finally, one shared, 'Binge-watched second season of Kerala Crime Files web series... Terrific crime thriller and intriguing. Lots of twists. Much better than first season. Keralites are known for best crime investigation movies now... come into web series also... available in all languages. Must watch." The series is now available on JioCinema for binge-watching. The first season of Kerala Crime Files had won hearts with its simple but intriguing narrative in 2023, and now the new season from director Ahammed Khabeer has lived up to expectations.
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
