Inspector Rishi Series Review: Masterfully combines the strengths of police procedural and supernatural thriller

While genre conventions are being broken in innovative new ways, Prime Video's Inspector Rishi blends the tried and tested tropes of a police procedural and a supernatural thriller to provide an exhilarating experience. The series is a testament to the fact that sometimes, you don't necessarily have to have a groundbreaking approach and that it is merely enough to stay faithful to the genre and your story.

Streamer: Prime Video
Creator: JS Nandhini
Cast: Naveen Chandra, Srikrishna Dayal, Kanna Ravi, Malini Jeevarathnam, Sunaina, Kumaravel

The show manages to do this through well-written characters and exceptional world-building. The characters are not just mere spectators or catalysts but the soul of the show itself. In short, had any character or event been removed, the show might have become a hollow exhibition of familiar tropes. Another impressive aspect of the show is its refusal to impose a particular viewpoint on the audience, allowing viewers to discern between the subjective and objective, blasphemy and reverence, and theism and atheism for themselves.

CBCID officer Rishi, essayed by an impressive Naveen Chandra, never smiles; melancholy glooms over his face. Superior officers have lauded Rishi for his commendable achievements in the past, which is why he has been assigned to investigate the mysterious death of a wildlife photographer in Thaenkaadu. Rishi never takes pride in his achievements, even if they cost him an eye. He sits like a goblet with tears at the brim, ready to overflow. It is the same for his subordinates - Ayynar (Kanna Ravi) and Chitra (Malini Jeevarathnam) - sorrow looms over the trio- A narrative device that humanises the characters and effectively connects their personal lives and past experiences, providing insight into their psychological state. This approach elevates the emotional impact of the show, allowing viewers to understand the characters' psyche without the need for excessive exposition.

At Thaenkaadu, Rishi is assisted by the forest officer Sathya, played by a remarkable Srikrishna Dayal. Sathya represents the crucial link between humanity and nature, a benevolent soul devoted to mother nature. Amidst the mist and the lush greenery of the jungle, a forest spirit named Vanaratchi saves the jungle and its inhabitants — a pivotal plot point that takes the show into the realm of supernatural horror.

The film soars high in the depiction of the horror elements. The atmosphere bathed in the dark and mist leaves heart-thumping eerie moments. It earns extra points for not relying on jump scares, typical creature-feature techniques, or jarring scores. Instead, it delivers a captivating experience with a tightly woven immersive script. The show follows the formula of a police procedural: expository table discussions about the case, mysteries being unravelled as a new mystery evolves, red herrings, and chase sequences. However, Inspector Rishi excels in depicting the complexities and inner turmoils of the characters beyond the apparent chills.

Amidst the thrills, the show effortlessly churns out a queer character challenging traditional tokenism. However, as the narrative delves into the characters' personal spaces, the plot loses its grip slightly in terms of horror, causing the intensity to fade in certain instances. Nevertheless, it regains momentum as it approaches the climax.

Inspector Rishi isn't just about Rishi and his case, it is also about love, greed, and the fundamental dilemma of right and wrong.