Constable Review

Sometimes, honest intentions do not count if you cannot bring your act together. Take Constable, for instance - a film that wants to be a gritty true-crime thriller but somehow ends up feeling overtly fictional. To make matters worse, it wraps itself in a glossy layer of cinematic masala that distances the audience from any real connection. Starring Varun Sandesh, Constable, fortunately, is not yet another love story but a whodunit that fumbles its most crucial element - the motive behind the crime. What follows is a series of familiar tropes we have seen in countless Telugu films. It does not leave a bad taste, but it does not leave a lasting impression, either.

In the small village of Shankarpally, a string of brutal murders shocks everyone, claiming both men and women. Even the local police are puzzled, including Constable Kashi (Varun Sandesh). The case turns personal when Kashi's niece Keerthi (Nithyashree) is murdered, followed by the killing of a local politician's son. Both families begin to suspect each other. However, the killing spree doesn't stop, with all the murders carried out in the same way. Now Kashi must uncover the truth and catch the killer.

Many were eager to watch Constable for one main reason - it is not yet another romantic film from Varun Sandesh. It is a refreshing change and, in terms of story selection, a milestone in his career. While Varun deserves credit for that, director Aryan Subhan also handles the film well until the interval, keeping the suspense alive. Up to this point, you get a fair dose of tension and thrill. The way the victims are tortured, murdered and then dumped is disturbingly inventive. You are on edge and genuinely intrigued.

But once the plot thickens - once Kashi is set to solve the cases - the movie falls back on the familiar Telugu formula of flashy dance numbers and overblown action scenes. There is even an item song (tell me if you have ever seen one in a true-crime movie), and there is a fight sequence that feels staged rather than stirring.

As for the film's promise of a true-crime narrative, that trail goes cold. Without revealing spoilers, the final twist - the motive behind the crime - feels so implausible that it undermines the very foundation of the story.

There are, however, two saving graces - Varun's performance and the film's grounded treatment.

Varun's acting is surprisingly effective in parts. He shines in the quieter moments - when he is lost in thought, alone, or simply going about his daily routine. In these scenes, he feels genuine and grounded. But when the tension rises, his expressions occasionally tip into exaggeration. This seems less his fault and more that of the director. Beyond Varun, no other character gets much scope, though the ensemble performances are passable.

Coming to the film's treatment, the staging feels authentic. The village, the police station and the depiction of the force are all believable. Thankfully, this is not another world of invincible Singham-style cops. Yet, the practical effects fall flat - especially the attempt to show a skin disease spreading across the body. It looks like something straight out of a low-budget TV horror serial, where speed trumps aesthetics.

Subhash Anand's background score is a mixed bag - fresh in parts but often too loud and jarring. It is hard to tell whether that is a sound engineering issue or just poor experience in the specific theatre I was in.

Despite its flaws, Constable does get some things right. The screenplay holds up for a while, the dialogues sound natural, and the setting feels real. The cinematographer wisely avoids flashy camera work, presenting scenes with a matter-of-fact realism - a choice that lends the film a touch of honesty, even when the story derails.

To close the case - Constable is not a well-put-together film. It has its moments, but the missteps overshadow them. A well-intentioned attempt gone astray, it is a film you can skip this weekend without much guilt.