What Is the Story About?
Voot Select’s new crime and suspense drama ‘London Files’ centres on detective Om Singh (Arjun Rampal), the finest in the London Metropolitan Police. His boss and friend Raanjh (Sagar Arya) assigns him the job of locating media baron Amar Roy’s (Purab Kohli) missing daughter, Maya Roy (Medha Rana). As Om digs deeper into the complexities of the case, he unravels a deep-seated conspiracy, festering in the underbelly of London city, even as he battles his inner demons and tragic past that threaten to derail his investigation.
London Files is produced by Ajay Rai of Jar Pictures; written by Prateek Payodhi; and directed by Sachin Pathak.
Performances?
Arjun Rampal is perfectly cast as the angst-ridden, down-on-luck detective Om Singh. His carefully cultivated haggard look sits well with his character. Rampal takes time to settle into the complex role; but once he does—by the second episode or so—there’s no looking back.
Gopal Datt is looking to shed his comedy stereotyping, it seems. Of late, he’s consciously picked up edgy negative roles (first Candy, now London Files). As the main motivator of a crusading cult, he gets into the groove of the character slowly. However, there’s nothing memorable about his performance as such.
Purab Kohli has been handed a minuscule role, which he pulls off with élan. He features prominently only in a couple of episodes, thereafter missing in action for the rest of the 6-episode series. Medha Rana as Maya Roy is impressive and eye-catching. Sagar Arya is good as Om’s protective boss, Raanjh. Sapna Pabbi has a blink-and-miss role, nothing to talk about there.
Analysis
London Files starts off on an interesting note. The tragic prologue implies a cataclysmic disaster for Detective Om Singh; but it’s not until later that the full impact of that tragedy sinks in. And its effect is quite devastating when revealed completely.
The personal setback sets the tone and tenor for the main story that unfolds later. The script connects the two deftly, giving the proceedings a poignant touch. The plot of London Files sucks you in for the first two episodes. The premise and suspense build up well. The anti-immigrants bill—a sensitive topic today more than ever—proves a clever backdrop to the unfolding of the mystery of Maya’s disappearance.
But then inexplicably, things start to go downhill from there. The script stumbles in depicting the hidden conspiracies in an engaging way. The ham-handed execution and tedious dialogue succeed in botching up the interesting premise. The non-linear style of storytelling— constant back and forth between the past and present—is quite distracting to the senses. The pace of storytelling is speedy. It does not dawdle, except for the scenes featuring the cult, allowing you to keep watching.
London Files had the potential to create a Prison Break style conspiracy saga, but it ends up more like a B-grade potboiler from the nineties. That said, the series recovers in the final episode. Om Singh’s enlightened monologue in the climax does not sound cringey at all. The end is oddly satisfying and redeems London Files of its mediocre middle somewhat.
Several scenes featuring Arjun Rampal stay with you after. The one where he practices smiling in the mirror takes the cake. An episode later he smiles at a character, and you immediately recognise it as the smile Om Singh practiced umpteen times in the mirror.
London city offers an excellent setting for the suspense drama. Its bleak, sunless environs enhance the grim, gloomy tone of the story.
To sum it up, London Files is an average watch, with a premise that required better build-up. Watch it if you must; but if you don’t, you’re not missing much.
Music and Other Departments?
Sneha Khanwalkar’s background score swings wildly between average and mediocre. The filler music seems straight from a seventies suspense film. The signature tune is average. Arun Kumar Pandey’s camerawork is stellar. It complements the story perfectly. Parikshhit Jha’s editing is crisp, smooth and efficient.
Highlights?
Clever backdrop for the premise (anti-immigrant)
Drawbacks?
Tedious middle
Cringey dialogue
Poor execution
Did I Enjoy It?
Not much
Will You Recommend It?
Not reallyLondon Files Web Series Review by Binged Bureau
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