Kerala Crime Files Season 2: A Deep Dive into Empathy and Intrigue
There aren’t many movies or shows that can stir up warm feelings in me when it comes to cops or criminals, but the second season of JioCinema and Hotstar’s crime thriller Kerala Crime Files somehow manages to tap into a well of empathy I didn’t know I had. The narrative begins as a grounded, slow-burn procedural and gradually evolves into a gripping crime-solving saga in the final two episodes, without the usual glitz and glamor that often butchers authenticity in this genre. The dark and moody cinematography is backed by a tense atmospheric score, and I can confidently say this is one of the most compelling storylines Indian television has delivered this year. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the story the show explores.
What Happens in the Show?
Kerala Crime Files Season 2 kicks off in the coastal city of Ernakulam, where a massive museum heist has taken place. As the cops arrive to investigate, one of the dog squad members, a sniffer dog named Terry, suddenly breaks away from his handler and bolts off wildly, ignoring every command. In a chaotic moment, Terry ends up on top of a desk and swallows a pin kept on it. Fast forward three months to Trivandrum, where we meet a humble police officer, Ambili Raju, who is taking a perp to court on a public bus—a sight that feels refreshingly authentic. Despite the perp’s arrogance, Ambili shows compassion, even giving up his seat for an elderly man.
However, the police force across Kerala is facing a crisis, with officers being reprimanded and transferred due to inefficiency and ethical lapses. Ambili stands out as a rare breed of cop, maintaining connections in both the underworld and the system while fiercely guarding his integrity. Known for his negotiation skills, he mediates between criminals without breaking the law. But when Ambili goes missing, it falls to Nobel, a newly recruited sub-inspector, to unravel the mystery.
Who is Ayyappan? Is He Connected to Ambili Raju?
Before Ambili’s disappearance, he was on the trail of a man named Ayyappan, who turns out to be the husband of Ambili’s ex-wife. The cops discover that Ayyappan has a significant criminal record, having been involved in multiple robberies across Trivandrum and Nagercoil. After serving time, he finds work at a retirement center for police dogs, where Terry is kept post-museum chaos. Ambili had previously convinced Ayyappan to pull off a heist, which Ayyappan reluctantly agreed to, complicating their relationship further.
How Does Nobel Devise the Route Map Based on the Path Followed by the Dog?
As the investigation stalls, the only lead is a blue car Ambili was last seen entering. When the cops find the car, they discover blood traces matching Ambili’s blood type, but no solid evidence. The breakthrough comes when a sanitation worker finds a mutilated finger by the road, which appears to have been chewed on by a dog. Nobel deduces that the slimy substance on the finger is likely a digestive enzyme from a dog, indicating it was quickly rejected.
Using this information, Nobel proposes a unique idea: to create a route map of the dog’s movements from the moment it vomited the finger. This leads them to the city’s central stadium, a hotspot for illicit activities, where they find blood and flesh traces belonging to both Ambili and Ayyappan.
Why Did Ayyappan Kill Terry the Dog?
The dog center hides a dark secret: Terry has been killed. Suffering from canine cognitive dysfunction, Terry’s health had been declining. Ayyappan, who had been seen leaving Terry’s cell, is suspected of the murder. The head of the center decides to keep the incident under wraps due to external pressures. However, a vet reveals that an X-ray of Terry showed a pin and a valuable ring in his stomach, suggesting Ayyappan had ulterior motives. Ayyappan had also reached out to his wife to elope, but she refused to betray Ambili, complicating the narrative further.
Who Killed Ambili and Ayyappan?
As the investigation unfolds, Nobel and his team track down Terry’s handlers. They learn that Jaismon, one of Terry’s handlers, had a troubled past and a deep bond with the dog. When he discovers that Ayyappan killed Terry, Jaismon takes matters into his own hands, eliminating both Ambili and Ayyappan. In a tense climax, Nobel finds Jaismon hanging, but a twist reveals he is still alive. Despite being arrested, Jaismon never confesses, leaving the case shrouded in ambiguity.
In the closing sequence, Jaismon visits Terry’s grave, surrounded by dogs that seem to thank him for avenging one of their own. This poignant moment encapsulates the emotional depth that Kerala Crime Files Season 2 brings to the crime genre, blending empathy with intrigue in a way that resonates deeply with viewers.
