Latest news with #KishkindhaKaandam
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Cinematographer-writer Bahul Ramesh on scripting the second season of the web series, ‘Kerala Crime Files'
Bahul Ramesh, who joined the list of cinematographers-cum-scriptwriters in Malayalam cinema with Kishkindha Kaandam, the acclaimed slow-burning thriller by Dinjith Ayyathan, is back again as scenarist with the second season of the web series, Kerala Crime Files: The Search for CPO Ambili Raju. Directed by Ahammed Khabeer, the series is being discussed for its taut screenplay, nuanced character arcs and novel themes. The action is set in the fictitious Kaniyarvila police station limits in Thiruvananthapuram. The officers posted there are being transferred because of their alleged nexus with criminals. When, Ambili Raju (Indrans), one of the cops, goes missing, the newly-appointed officers, Circle Inspector Kurian (Lal) and Sub Inspector Noble (Arjun Radhakrishnan) and their team start the investigation, which eventually leads to shocking revelations about Ambili and his special bond with an ex-convict Ayyappan (Harisree Ashokan). But as the narrative move towards the climax, more truths emerge, eventually leading to apprehending the culprit. In a free-wheeling conversation with MetroPlus, Bahul says that he did not put pressure on himself thinking it was the second season of a successful show. 'Ahammed ikka (Ahammed Khabeer, director of both seasons of KCF) contacted me in September 2023 asking if we could work on the new season. I had just finished Kishkindha Kaandam. He had only a month to pitch the story idea to the streaming platform. It is difficult for me to arrive at a thread just like that, my stories usually develop only once I start writing. I also wanted to give Ahammed enough time to find another story/writer if my idea did not work. However, he was confident and his only request was to include a few characters from the first season so that the viewers are reminded of the franchise,' Bahul says. Bahul became friends with Ahammed at LV Prasad College of Media Studies, Chennai, where he studied cinematography and Ahammed had done an internship. 'Even though he had interned much before I joined, we met through mutual friends. I looked forward to working with him, irrespective of the format or my designation. Jithin Stanislaus, the series' DOP, is also a senior,' he says. The writing for KCF did not involve a lot of research as many would think. 'I have put down the basic things I know, corroborated by what I read in the newspapers, saw on social media, or heard from others. There was no reference for the police characters. Once I finished the script, I fact-checked with experts and consulted a police officer who had helped Ahammed ikka in the first season. It was he who gave us the term passport adichu kitti, a phrase that the police use for transfer orders.' Bahul's expertise, when it comes to character development, is on show in KCF as it was in Kishkindha Kaandam. The way he peels layers of the characters is a mainstay of the story. However, Bahul stresses that it is not deliberate. 'I don't design my characters. The focus is on writing original dialogues and when I do that, the layers show as a byproduct of the process. I don't finalise the story and then write. The narrative develops as I work scene by scene,' he explains. In the context he mentions the scene where Ambili asks his daughter to go to Ayyappan's house and enquire about him. 'Her reluctance to go there hints at tension between the two characters. At the same time, I did not want the daughter's character to be one-dimensional. It was only after establishing this premise that I worked out the relation between Ambili and Ayyappan.' Bahul stresses that he was not concerned about adapting his writing to the web series format, especially arriving at a cliffhanger after each episode. 'I didn't follow that template. I wanted to keep it organic, without gimmicks. It was about pushing the envelope and arriving at a situation naturally, as I travelled with my characters.' In fact, he had 'an interesting way' to fix the duration of each episode. 'Ahammed ikka said that five episodes could be of 30 minutes, and the last one slightly longer. So, once I wrote the 40-page first episode, I gave it to my father to read. It took him 25 minutes and I gauged that it could be the approximate running time of that episode. That is how I got the meter to anchor my syntax. As I wrote each episode, I took it towards a conclusion, keeping that duration in mind, without twists or cliffhangers. Thus, each episode had an organic ending.' Now that deliberations are on about the 'show, don't tell' approach in the series, especially the climax, Bahul avers that he did not want to take the obvious route. 'It does not have an open ending. We have laid to rest all doubts, without stating the obvious. The answers lie in the final scene when Noble smiles, seeing the pack of dogs, thus declaring that his speculations were right.' Interestingly dogs are integral to the storyline and his exploration of the human-animal bond is heart warming. 'Their roles became important as I started working on the script. We had an expert who helped us execute scenes with the dogs. It was, obviously, difficult to make them act on demand. The director and DOP were patient enough to get the right shot.' About featuring a dog with a cognitive disability, Bahul says that he came across a scenario at a friend's house. 'They had a visually impaired dog. It was disturbing. But that's where I got the idea that a dog with a disability would be an interesting material for the series,' he says. Becoming a writer was a dream Bahul chose to keep on the back burner. 'I knew that scripting films was a gamble. Your story could get rejected and if chosen you don't know when it would become a film. So I decided to focus on cinematography, settle in that space, and then start writing scripts.' That opportunity came during during the lockdown, 'since there was nothing else to do. My first script was based on the theme of lockdown which Dinjith Ayyathan was keen to make into a film. That's when I came up with the story of Kishkindha Kaandam and he felt that we should make that first.' Bahul points out that he does not lose sleep over whether people like his scripts or not. 'I follow my instincts, my intuitions. I am open to correcting my mistakes. This attitude comes from parental conditioning. Thanks to my parents who never forced me to study. I have never been under pressure to perform well. They were happy with whatever marks I got. Once, on the eve of my Plus 1 exam, I was so nervous that I thought I would fail. I told my father this and asked if we could go watch a film. He was game and we watched the late evening show of In Ghost House Inn, which was the only movie playing in theatres then!' He is open to criticism as well. 'I want people to express their opinion, be it negative or positive. It is encouraging that they are at least thinking about it. I believe that such observations help in the growth of the content. Sometimes they surprise me with findings that I had never thought of. It is motivating when someone points out that I have tried to do something different. I never wanted to fall back on something that was easy, convenient or formulaic.' Meanwhile, he has finished the shoot for Dinjith's next movie, starring Sandeep Pradeep, due for release later this year.
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.
Pink Villa
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kerala Crime Files 2 OTT: When and where to watch Malayalam crime drama series online
Kerala Crime Files 2, the Malayalam-language web series, is all geared up to begin streaming soon. If you're someone who loves crime drama, here are the complete details about the show. When and where to watch Kerala Crime Files 2 Kerala Crime Files 2 is slated to begin streaming on the OTT platform JioHotstar from June 20, 2025. The official announcement of the web series' release was made by the platform's social media handle, along with the trailer. Official trailer and plot of Kerala Crime Files 2 Kerala Crime Files 2 - The Search for CPO Ambili Raju follows the story that surrounds the unexplained disappearance of a young policewoman from her station under mysterious circumstances. With the incident creating quite the commotion, a team of officers led by SI Manoj (Aju Varghese) and CI Kurian (Lal) is tasked with the investigation. However, as the case progresses, the officers realize a larger conflict at hand. What follows is the escalation of the missing case into a narrative that explores elements of trust, power struggles, and the ethical boundaries of law enforcement. Cast and crew of Kerala Crime Files 2 Kerala Crime Files 2 features Aju Varghese and Lal in lead roles, reprising their roles from the first season. Apart from them, the show has actors like Indrans, Harisree Asokan, Renjit Shekar, Sanju Sanichen, Suresh Babu, Navas Vallikunnu, Noorin Shereef, Jeo Baby, and more as pivot characters. The show is directed by Ahammed Khabeer with Kishkindha Kaandam fame Bahul Ramesh penning the story, screenplay and dialogues. With Hesham Abdul Wahab handling the music, the DOP and editing were fulfilled by Jithin Stanislaus and Mahesh Bhuvanend, respectively. The series' first season, Kerala Crime Files - Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara, was released on the OTT platform on June 23, 2023. The show initially explored the events of solving a case with the only clue being a fake address. Apart from the lead actors, the first season has Navas Vallikkunnu, Sanju Sanichen, Zhinz Shan, and more in important roles. The first season consisted of 8 episodes, with each one having a runtime of 30 minutes.
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Roshan Mathew on Chatha Pacha: Never Done Anything Like This Before!
Chennai: Actor Roshan Mathew, who plays one of the leads in director Adhvaith Nayar's eagerly-awaited action extravaganza Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, says he has never done anything like this film in his career before. Roshan Mathew, who steps into an entirely new genre with this project, expressed his excitement about the role in this film, the shooting of which began on Tuesday. Sources close to the unit of the film say that the team is currently shooting in Fort Kochi and that the schedule is for 60 days. Says Roshan, "I've never done anything like this before. The world of wrestling entertainment is as intense emotionally as it is physically. I'm thrilled to dive into this space with Chatha Pacha." The film has triggered huge expectations, both among fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. One of them is that the film is being directed by Adhvaith Nayar. Adhvaith, who is making his feature film debut with this film, is the nephew of legendary actor Mohanlal. He has honed his craft under renowned filmmakers like Jeethu Joseph, Rajeev Ravi, and Mohanlal himself. Produced by Ritesh S Ramakrishnan and Cannes-winning filmmaker Shihan Shoukath under the Reel World Entertainment banner, the film has a compelling cast led by Arjun Ashokan and Roshan Mathew, along with Ishan Shoukath, and Vishak Nair in key roles. The film also marks a musical milestone, as acclaimed composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy make their Malayalam cinema debut with the film's songs. The background score will be composed by Mujeeb Majeed, known for his work in Kishkindha Kaandam. Set in the gritty, vibrant streets of Fort Kochi, the film revolves around a hidden WWE-style wrestling club and the quirky, emotional lives of those drawn into its chaotic universe. Described as a cultural crossover, Chatha Pacha aims to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling with its blend of high drama, physical action, and local flavour. The story has been penned by Adhvaith Nayar, while the screenplay and dialogues have been written by Sanoop Thykoodam. Chatha Pacha has celebrated technicians like Anend C Chandran (Bheeshma Parvam, Premam) as cinematographer and Kalai Kingson, who earned acclaim for Marco, as stunt director. Slated for release towards the end of 2025, the film, sources say, will blend high-energy wrestling sequences, humour, and a gripping underdog story. It will bring together the spectacle of pro-wrestling and the grounded storytelling of Malayalam cinema.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Roshan Mathew on Chatha Pacha: Never Done Anything Like This Before!
Actor , who plays one of the leads in director Adhvaith Nayar's eagerly-awaited action extravaganza Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, says he has never done anything like this film in his career before. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Roshan Mathew, who steps into an entirely new genre with this project, expressed his excitement about the role in this film, the shooting of which began on Tuesday. Sources close to the unit of the film say that the team is currently shooting in Fort Kochi and that the schedule is for 60 days. Says Roshan, "I've never done anything like this before. The world of wrestling entertainment is as intense emotionally as it is physically. I'm thrilled to dive into this space with Chatha Pacha." The film has triggered huge expectations, both among fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. One of them is that the film is being directed by Adhvaith Nayar. Adhvaith, who is making his feature film debut with this film, is the nephew of legendary actor Mohanlal. He has honed his craft under renowned filmmakers like Jeethu Joseph, , and Mohanlal himself. Produced by Ritesh S Ramakrishnan and Cannes-winning filmmaker Shihan Shoukath under the Reel World Entertainment banner, the film has a compelling cast led by Arjun Ashokan and Roshan Mathew, along with Ishan Shoukath, and Vishak Nair in key roles. The film also marks a musical milestone, as acclaimed composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy make their debut with the film's songs. The background score will be composed by Mujeeb Majeed, known for his work in Kishkindha Kaandam. Set in the gritty, vibrant streets of Fort Kochi, the film revolves around a hidden WWE-style wrestling club and the quirky, emotional lives of those drawn into its chaotic universe. Described as a cultural crossover, Chatha Pacha aims to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling with its blend of high drama, physical action, and local flavour. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The story has been penned by Adhvaith Nayar, while the screenplay and dialogues have been written by Sanoop Thykoodam. Chatha Pacha has celebrated techniclike Anend C Chandran (Bheeshma Parvam, Premam) as cinematographer and Kalai Kingson, who earned acclaim for Marco, as stunt director. Slated for release towards the end of 2025, the film, sources say, will blend high-energy wrestling sequences, humour, and a gripping underdog story. It will bring together the spectacle of pro-wrestling and the grounded storytelling of Malayalam cinema.
