Constable Kanakam: Varsha Bollama's series has intriguing premise but shines only in parts

Constable Kanakam Story

Constable Kanakam is set in the 19 90s in a small village in Andhra Pradesh. All those who cross the Adivi Gutta barrier, despite being asked not to, go missing. In comes Constable Kanakam (Varsha Bollama), who is posted to the local police station. One fine day, her close friend goes missing in the same way, and she decides to take the case into her own hands by crossing the deadly barrier to see what happens. Did she crack the case? Who is behind these kidnappings? That forms the rest of the story.

Constable Kanakam Review:

Constable Kanakam was in the news when director Prasanth Dimmala filed a case against the makers of Zee5's Viraatapalem PC Meena Reporting, claiming that his story was robbed and made into a series. While Viraatapalem is now streaming on Zee5 and OTTplay Premium, Prasanth has changed tracks and made this series on an interesting note. Though the concept of girls going missing is the same, the story, setup, narrative, and production values have been changed.

The show is set in a small town, and the location where all the girls go missing looks authentic. It centres around a local police station with only a few characters, and this aspect works well. How the show is established is also quite good, but once it gets into the main conflict, one expects more drama, which is missing.

The character of Constable Kanakam is shown as one who does not react much. While the friendship between her and the girl who goes missing is established on a strong note, the pain that one should go through when such things happen is not established well. The writing feels convenient if you look at the heroine's point of view. However, the backstories and the way the suspense is built up regarding who the villain is are showcased interestingly.

One also gets the feeling that the suspense has been dragged on for no reason until the last episode. Such things work for films, but when it comes to web series, a thread about who is behind such crimes needs to be established to allow a linear screenplay that creates thrills. But when compared to Viraatapalem, Constable Kanakam is a much better series, and this is because of apt casting.

The likes of Rajeev Kanakala and Prem Sagar bring a lot of depth to the proceedings. Director Prasanth Dimmala showcases the actors in very good roles, and this drives the show forward. Constable Kanakam mainly banks on the character of the female lead, and this aspect is handled well. However, the character arc is not elevated properly, as Varsha's role and the way she approaches the case are half-baked.

That said, there are not many dull moments, as the show moves at a simple pace, and there are only six episodes that make for a breezy watch. Coming to the performances, Varsha Bollama plays the titular role and is decent. While her fearful attitude towards her seniors is good, the way she performs in the last few episodes is just about okay. It is the director who has not handled her properly, as her character looks half-baked.

Rajeev Kanakala is the hero of the show and gets a very good role. He does not get to move much but performs with utmost ease and is a star in the series. His performance lights up the series. Srinivasa Avasarala is totally wasted in the series. He does not get to do much and is used only when needed. Kishore Kumar is okay in his role, but Ramana Bharghav is very good in his negative role as a cop. The way he performs and showcases the cunning nature and jealousy aspects is emoted quite well. The rest of the cast are okay.

The production values are top-notch and give the series an intriguing feel. Suresh Bobbili has composed the music, and his BGM is top-notch. The dialogues, production design, and editing are also top-notch. Constable Kanakam is a simple thriller that goes on without any twists, with the main thrill kept for the very end. The proceedings move at a decent pace, but that wow factor is missing. As the episodes have a crisp runtime and the visuals are great, things make up for a passable watch.

Constable Kanakam Verdict

On the whole, Constable Kanakam is a passable thriller that has its moments. While there are no standout moments, there are also not many flaws, as the show is narrated in a brisk manner without any hiccups. Those who love such thrillers can give the show a shot, but keep your expectations in check.

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FAQs

Q. Who directed Constable Kanakam?

A. The series has been directed by Prashanth Kumar Dimmala

Q. Do Viraatapalem PC Meena Reporting and Constable Kanakam have similar stories?

A. No, both have different stories. You can stream Viraataplam on Zee5 and here on OTTplay Premium

Q. Who are the main leads in Constable Kanakam?

A. Varsha Bollama plays the main lead in this show, which also has Rajeev Kanakala in a key role.

Q. Where to stream Constable Kanakam?

A. Varsha Bollama's series Constable Kanakam can be streamed on ETV Win and OTTplay Premium.