London Files Season 1 Review : Arjun Rampal & Purab Kohli’s mystery crime thriller is pacy and intriguing

STORY: While searching for media baron Amar Roy's (Purab Kohli) missing daughter, Om Singh (Arjun Rampal), a homicide detective, unearths secrets and lies in London's underbelly.

REVIEW: Helmed by Sachin Pathak (who had previously directed another cop thriller, ‘Kathmandu Connection), this six-episodic investigative drama follows a homicide detective who is trying to solve a high-profile case while battling his own personal demons. This flawed cop character who is brilliant and fighting his inner demons is a staple of western cop drama, as seen in 'Luther', 'Wallander', and 'Happy Valley', to name a few examples. There's enough here to keep viewers guessing right up until the final reveal, with interesting, fleshed-out characters and a compelling plot. And, finally, what begins as a dark mystery thriller quickly turns into a tale of lies, secrets, and redemption.

The screenplay by Prateek Payodhi is deftly written and methodically paced. After only a few minutes into the series, the protagonist's (Om Singh) plight becomes clear. The plot is divided into two sections: the past tragedy that turned Om's 14-year-old son Yash Singh (Manvir Bawa) into a sinister figure and ended his married life, and the present which shows Om investigating a case in order to find Maya (Medha Rana), the daughter of an influential media baron Amar Roy, a controversial figure in London due to his support for a draconian anti-immigration law. As Om's investigation into the case deepens, buried secrets and his repressed past threaten to surface.

‘London Files’ builds gradually with a generous dose of unpredictability. The execution is commendable, but the story's attempt to justify its many characters and their motives occasionally fall short. For instance, Shubhro Biswas's (Amrit Kumar) backstory is never revealed to the audience, except that he is looking for his missing wife, which may explain why he is assisting the detective. Given the mystery's engrossing nature, the climax is quite underwhelming. Parikshhit Jha's editing, on the other hand, is crisp and fluid, seamlessly transitioning from flashbacks to the present and holding the audience's attention throughout.

Arjun Rampal literally walks into the role of Om Singh, a flawed and complex jaded-looking detective who is both vulnerable (reliant on medications to overcome a past tragedy) and the best at his job, thus chosen to solve the high-profile case of Maya's disappearance. Both Eva Jane Willis and Adil Zubair, who play Om’s colleagues Catherine and Rishi respectively, are convincing. Shubhro Biswas, a hacker with nearly unlimited access who helps Om at every stage, is well played by Amrit Kumar. It's admirable to see Sagar Arya as Om's boss, who blindly trusts him and stands by him like a pillar.

Purab Kohli and Arjun Rampal are seen sharing a screen after the Hindi film franchise 'Rock On.' Kohli has a small role, but his salt-and-pepper intensity as Amar Roy, a character with many shades of grey, makes an impression. Sapna Pabbi shines as Om's ex-wife Ashwini. Medha Rana, the model-turned-actor who starred in Armaan Malik's music video 'Barsaat,' makes an impressive acting debut as Maya Roy. She's shown a wide range of emotions. Shanice Archer, who plays Maya's only friend Carol, is pivotal in turning the tables.

The majority of this fictional drama revolves around the consequences of London's anti-immigration law, which has made it difficult for many immigrants to survive. And a deep-rooted cult—led by Gopi (Gopal Datt)—is protesting vehemently to ensure that the migrants' voices are heard. Gopal Datt's portrayal of Gopi is powerful; his voice modulation and the calmness, especially when he chants, "only after absolute chaos comes absolute silence," are impressive.

The production value is top-notch and adds to the overall look of the show, which was shot in London. The camera work and cinematography are really good throughout too, with some great sweeping shots of the city and a good mixture of close-up and medium shots to heighten the drama unfolding. The BGM by Sneha Khanwalkar also helps in setting up the tone for the show.

All said, 'London Files' is a fast-paced investigative thriller packed with edge-of-your-seat drama and mystery, making it a binge-worthy show.