Constable Kanakam review: A routine Telugu thriller with good performances
Constable Kanakam is a Telugu suspense thriller streaming on ETV Win from 14 August. Directed by Prashanth Kumar Dimmala and produced by Kovvlamudi Satya Saibaba and Vemuri Hemant Kumar, it stars Varsha Bollamma in the title role, with Megha Lekha, Rajeev Kanakala and Srinivas Avasarala in key parts.
The story is set in Repalle, a village near Srikakulam, where Kanakamahalakshmi, known as Kanakam (Varsha Bollamma), gets a job as a constable. With no one she knows in the village, she stays at the head constable’s (Rajeev Kanakala) house. A senior constable, Sattibabu, holds a grudge against her. Mysterious disappearances of young women are happening in the village, and an order forbids anyone from going to the nearby forest hill. When Kanakam’s best friend Chandrika (Megha Lekha) goes missing during a village festival and a man named Babji is found dead, Kanakam sets out to uncover the truth despite opposition from her colleagues. The rest of the series follows her investigation, the obstacles she faces, and the secrets of the forest hill.
Background and Controversy: The series had earlier faced plagiarism allegations, but apart from having a female constable as the lead, there are few similarities with the other work mentioned.
Analysis: As a thriller, Constable Kanakam feels routine. The missing-girls plot has been seen many times before, and the pace is slow in the first half. Some scenes between Kanakam and her friend feel oddly written and distract from the main plot. Certain narrative elements, like a boy shown at the start of an episode who never reappears in that episode, feel unnecessary. The story becomes more engaging once the investigation begins, and the forest scenes are supported by strong background music that adds a slight horror feel. The climax twist about the villain is the main highlight.
Performances: Performances are decent. Varsha Bollamma delivers well as a sincere constable willing to risk everything for her friend. Rajeev Kanakala fits his role nicely, and Megha Lekha is charming as the friend. Srinivas Avasarala stands out in a wheelchair-bound role, while the supporting cast, including the actors playing Sattibabu and the SI, perform well.
Technical Aspects: Technically, cinematography is good, especially the night scenes. The series is shot mainly in two locations, with the forest sequences working visually. The background score is excellent and helps elevate otherwise slow scenes. Editing could have been much tighter, as there is noticeable lag. Production values are solid.
Constable Kanakam review: Overall, Constable Kanakam is a routine thriller with good music and performances but a predictable story. It’s something you can watch once, perhaps skipping through the slower parts.
Rating: 2.5/5
