Streaming on ETV Win since 14th August 2025, the Telugu web series Constable Kanakam is a 6 episode crime thriller that takes you into a rural mystery with a mix of suspense and social commentary. Directed by Prasanth Kumar Dimmala, the series features Varsha Bollamma, Megha Leka, Rajeev Kanakala and a talented cast including Srinivas Avasarala, Ramana Bhargav, Kancherapalem Kishore, Jwala Koti, and Rakendu Mouli. With each episode running for around 30 minutes, Constable Kanakam is a watchable, if not so perfect, tale of missing girls and hidden truths.
A Tale of Mystery in Addagutta
Set in the fictional village of Addagutta, Constable Kanakam follows Kanakam (Varsha Bollamma) a young constable who returns to her hometown after training. She’s eager to make a difference but is given mundane tasks by the station head Sub-Inspector Anjireddy (Rajeev Kanakala). When two girls from the village go missing, Kanakam takes charge of the case. As she digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets involving influential people and a web of lies that tests her resolve and resourcefulness.
The story is a classic whodunit, Kanakam navigates village politics, caste dynamics and personal stakes. The series uses the missing girls as a trigger to explore gender, power and systemic corruption in rural India, but doesn’t go as deep as it could.
Stellar Performances Anchor the Series
Varsha Bollamma is good as Kanakam; she brings grit and relatability to the role of a rookie constable with big dreams. She has captured the character’s determination and vulnerability well. Kanakam is a good protagonist. Rajeev Kanakala is excellent as Anjireddy; he brings authority and nuances that keep us guessing about his intentions. He’s good.
The supporting cast adds to the narrative. Megha Leka as Kanakam’s friend provides emotional depth, Srinivas Avasarala, Kancherapalem Kishore and others bring weight to their roles as villagers and officials. But some characters like Jwala Koti and Rakendu Mouli are underutilized; their arcs are not fully fleshed out.
Strengths and Shortcomings
Constable Kanakam excels in its setting and suspense. The Addagutta village is well captured through decent production values and cinematography, which highlights the village’s rusticness and the underlying tensions. The series picks up pace in the last episodes and has a good twist, which ties up the whole story. Telugu dialogue is authentic and the background score is good, especially in investigative scenes.
But the series falters in the initial episodes, which are slow and too focused on setting up the story. Some subplots, like Kanakam’s personal struggles and the village’s caste dynamics, are introduced but not explored well, which feels like missed opportunities. Writing is clichéd at times and some plot points like dismissing Kanakam’s capabilities because of her gender, feel predictable. Also the series has been in controversy with the team accusing ZEE5’s Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting of copying its concept, which may affect the originality.
Another problem is the uneven execution of secondary characters. The main cast is good, but some supporting characters are not well developed, and their motivations are unclear. The series also struggles to balance its social commentary with the thriller elements and feels ambitious but not fully realized.
A Watchable Thriller with Room to Grow
Despite the flaws, Constable Kanakam is a good watch for crime drama and rural mystery fans. The strength lies in the lead performances and the twist. Last minute changes might have helped in making it a better product, which is visible in some of the polished moments. But the slow start and underdeveloped subplots prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Compared to other Telugu OTT’s Constable Kanakam is a compact and engaging series that deals with relevant issues, even if it doesn’t break new ground. The female led investigation in a rural setting is a new angle and the chemistry between Bollamma and Kanakala keeps you invested. For a quick binge with a good payoff, Constable Kanakam is a good choice, but it leaves you wanting for more depth and polish.
Final Verdict
Constable Kanakam is a watchable cop thriller with more hits than misses, driven by Varsha Bollamma’s sincere performance and Rajeev Kanakala’s presence. It starts slow and has narrative issues, but the suspenseful climax and rural setting make it a good addition to ETV Win’s lineup. Telugu crime drama fans will have enough to enjoy, but those looking for a more polished or innovative story might want to temper their expectations.