Constable:A Gritty Rural Mystery Driven by Sincere Performances

Constable, starring Varun Sandesh as a rookie constable at a police station, has been released in theatres this week. Let's find out what the movie is all about.

Story:Shocking serial murders occur one after another in the village called Shankarapally. The carnage spares no one, neither men nor women, leaving even the police officers terrified. Kashi (Varun Sandesh), the sole gutsy constable in the village station, takes on the case and begins an investigation with the help of others in the station. However, the case becomes personal for him when his niece, Keerthi (Nithyashri), also falls victim to the killings. The hero notices certain patterns, but takes time to realize that not one masked-man but a host of them are behind the gruesome murders.

Analysis:Constable is a rural serial killer mystery with a personal stake for the hero. Writer-director Aryan Subhan SK understands that such a story would need a strong focus on atmosphere, pacing, and character development to truly succeed. The village of Shankarapally is essentially a character itself. The film establishes a strong sense of place that contrasts the idyllic rural setting with the horror unfolding within it.

A dark, gritty color palette conveys the sense of dread and fear that has taken over the village. The veil of darkness pervades the mood of the film. Through a combination of sounds and visuals, the fear's psychological impact on the villagers and the police is established. Empty streets and suspicious glances enhance the thrill factor.

The hero's shift from a professional investigator to a man driven by personal vengeance and grief is raw and believable. The shock factor when Kashi realizes he is pursuing multiple assailants is chilling. A high-stakes climax is interesting.

Varun Sandesh's performance is sincere. He is joined by Madhulika Varanasi (as the hero's colleague), Surya, Kalpa Latha (as a relative of a victim), Muralidar Goud (as a doctor), Duvvasi Mohan (as a constable), Kashishh Rajput - all of whom prove to be sincere. Ravi Varma plays a negative character.

Shot by cinematographer Hajarathaiha, the film's music is by the Subhash Anand-Gyani duo. Constable is edited by Sree Vara Prasad.

Verdict:

Constable successfully creates a chilling atmosphere, leveraging its rural setting as a character in its own right. It is a watchable, dark mystery.