London Files: A Dark and Flawed Investigative Thriller

Plot

The six-episode series, London Files, follows Arjun Rampal in the role of Om Singh, a London Metropolitan Police detective, who is assigned to find Maya Roy, media tycoon Amar Roy’s (Purab Kohli) missing daughter. Amar is an advocate of the Anti-Immigration Bill, making him and his family a target from people against it, leading to Om scanning Amar’s controversial background and initial evidence pointing towards foul play. However, Om discovers some brow-raising evidence that turns the table completely and figures out that Amar Roy and Maya’s case has a connection to his past. Is Maya actually dead? Is Om’s past taking a toll on his efficiency in solving the case?

Acting

Arjun Rampal plays a detective undergoing emotional turmoil and fighting to prove himself and his prowess at work, but his performance is lacklustre and forgettable. Purab Kohli doesn’t get to play the chunkier parts, but in the little that you see of him, he plays it well. Sapna Pabbi has a forgettable appearance. Gopal Dutt is a wonderful actor but doesn't have a memorable role, and Sagar Arya is perhaps one of the actors you will remember after the show.

Cinematography

The production value is top-notch, and 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.

Direction

Director Sachin Pathak, who has given us a riveting show like Rangbaaz, somehow fails to deliver this time. The lack of a gripping screenplay is to be blamed. The basics of a thriller are never really met.

Overall Review

London Files is directed by Sachin Pathak and written by Prateek Payodhi. It follows flawed detective Om Singh who is trying to solve a high-profile case while battling his own personal demons. Although there's enough here to keep viewers guessing right up until the final reveal, with interesting, fleshed-out characters and a compelling plot, certain parts are not well-established and tend to get clumsy, making it hard for the audience to keep their attention for long. The lacklustre performances add to the show's forgettable nature, making it fail to become a memorable watch. However, it's a fast-paced investigative thriller packed with drama and mystery, making it a binge-worthy show.

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