Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting Review: A predictable crime drama that falls apart

Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting Story

The series is set in the small town of Viraatapalem in the early '90s and revolves around brides being mysteriously killed on their wedding day. The villagers believe it is a curse, and no one dares to get married for years. Meanwhile, a young lady cop named Meena is transferred to the village and begins her investigation, soon discovering that the deaths are not natural. She takes a bold step by deciding to get married herself in order to catch the criminal. Does Meena fall victim to the curse, or does she manage to nab the culprit? That forms the rest of the story.

Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting Review

Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting is directed by Poluru Krishna, who last made the hit series Recce. He dishes out a suspense thriller that is straightforward and does not have any riveting twists and turns. The series starts on a very interesting note, and the director establishes the story well. But once you reach the fourth episode, things become tedious and predictable.

Though the runtime of each episode is short, one gets the feeling that the makers have dragged the series for no reason. Generally, in all crime web series, each episode ends on a thrilling note, but that is not the case here. Just to create doubt in the minds of the audience, the director makes key characters look dubious, which becomes boring after a point.

Also, a lady cop single-handedly taking the law into her own hands is a bit over the top. The supporting cast is weak and does not elevate the emotions much. One of the biggest drawbacks is the manner in which the heroine decides to marry in order to nab the criminal. This entire episode looks forced and makes things boring.

For any crime drama to click, the thrills should be gripping, but that is not the case in Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting. The writing is convenient, and the screenplay is lethargic. By the end of it, one can guess who the killer is, as the narration is jaded. The production values are also not that great and give you the feel of watching a TV serial at times.

Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting has been marred by controversy, as ETV Win has blamed Zee5 for copying the story of their show Constable Kanakam and making it into a web series. It looks like the makers were in a hurry to make the series and did not concentrate much on the drama, which is one of the biggest drawbacks. The backstories do not have much depth, and the motive of the killer is also weak. What starts as an interesting plot is marred by a boring narrative by the end.

Coming to the performances, Abhignya Vuthaluru plays the main lead, and she is good in her role. Though she looks rustic in a few scenes, she manages to hold your attention quite well. Surabhi Prabhavati is good in her key role. The rest of the cast were just about okay.

The camerawork is decent, but the production design leaves a lot to be desired. The dialogues are good, and so was the editing. Director Poluru Krishna does not live up to the expectations placed on him and directs a series that does not have much going its way, making for a boring watch.

Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting Verdict

On the whole, Viraatapalem - PC Meena Reporting is a crime drama that starts on a very interesting note but fades away in the latter episodes. Barring the major twist in the climax, the rest of the proceedings are ordinary and have nothing new to showcase.

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