Read our detailed review of Inspection Bungalow, Kerala’s first horror-comedy web series on Zee5, starring Shabareesh Varma and others. Discover its plot, performances, and technical highlights.
Published: November 14, 2025 11:43 AM IST
Kerala’s first horror-comedy series, Inspection Bungalow, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Saiju S.S., has started streaming on Zee5 Global from November 14. Written by Suneesh Varanaad, the 7-episode series has been one of the most anticipated Malayalam web series this year. The show promised to blend horror and comedy in a way that Malayalam content has rarely explored before. The story unfolds in the village of Aravangad, where a haunted government property, the so-called “Inspection Bungalow,” becomes the center of mysterious deaths, supernatural activity, and quirky humor.
Unlike typical horror narratives that rely solely on scares, Inspection Bungalow attempts to balance suspense with situational comedy. The first episode opens with a chilling yet humorous premise: the abandoned bungalow, which locals have long avoided, is to be converted into a police station. This gives viewers an immediate mix of intrigue and light-heartedness. While the concept is interesting, the series carefully sets the stage for both scares and laughs, avoiding overwhelming the audience with either.
What is the plot?
The story follows Sub-Inspector Vishnu (Shabareesh Varma), a reluctant and somewhat weary cop who carries the weight of a shadowed past. Vishnu is assigned to transfer his police station to the abandoned government property locally known as the “Inspection Bungalow.” What seems like a routine assignment quickly turns into an investigation filled with unexplained deaths, ghostly apparitions, and secrets buried for decades.
Vishnu teams up with Mythili (Aadhya Prasad), a brilliant and inquisitive paranormal researcher, who is brought in to study the strange happenings. Together, they uncover a series of eerie and, at times, comedic events that slowly reveal the bungalow’s dark past. Supporting characters like Balamurali (Senthil Krishna), Parameswaran (Saju Sreedhar), and MLA Shaji Manjakadamban (Jayan Cherthala) further deepen the narrative. Each of these characters adds flavor, from comic relief to tension-filled confrontations, but some arcs feel underexplored.
Interestingly, Inspection Bungalow at times seems to try and capture the quirky horror-comedy vibes of Jithu Madhavan’s Romancham, especially in its lighter sequences. However, it doesn’t completely succeed in matching that film’s effortless charm and cohesion. The humor is scattered, and certain horror sequences lack consistency, which sometimes prevents the series from fully immersing the viewer.
The performances in Inspection Bungalow
Shabareesh Varma shoulders the series as Sub-Inspector Vishnu. His performance combines casual humor with understated tension, and he effectively conveys Vishnu’s reluctance and hidden vulnerabilities. However, some emotional sequences feel muted, making certain moments less impactful than intended.
Aadhya Prasad, portraying Mythili, brings intelligence and curiosity to her role as a paranormal researcher. Her chemistry with Shabareesh is subtle but noticeable, giving the investigative portions a sense of partnership. Unfortunately, her character’s arc feels slightly underwritten, leaving potential for deeper emotional engagement untapped.
Senthil Krishna as Balamurali provides comic energy, though his humor sometimes feels forced and scripted rather than natural. Saju Sreedhar as Parameswaran delivers a restrained and convincing performance in the limited screen time he receives, while Jayan Cherthala as MLA Shaji ManjaKadamban adds a layer of authority and credibility, grounding the story when supernatural elements threaten to overwhelm. Overall, the performances are solid, but uneven writing and pacing sometimes limit the actors’ impact.
The lackluster point of Inspection Bungalow
Visually, Inspection Bungalow has potential but falls short in some key areas. Cinematography captures the contrast between the village’s normal life and the eerie bungalow well, and the abandoned property itself is suitably spooky. However, the color grading could have been better, as dark sequences are inconsistently toned, reducing the atmospheric impact of the horror scenes. Some sequences meant to be frightening feel flat due to lighting inconsistencies.
Editing, handled by the series team, is another weak point. Abrupt cuts and transitions sometimes disrupt the narrative flow, drawing attention away from the story and toward technical flaws. Malayalam cinema has a reputation for producing visually engaging content despite relatively modest budgets, often using sheer conviction and creativity to elevate the material. In the case of Inspection Bungalow, however, this sense of grandeur is somewhat missing, making the series feel less polished and impactful than it could have been.
The direction and writing
Director Saiju S.S. attempts to balance horror, comedy, and mystery, which is a challenging feat. The writing by Suneesh Varanaad includes clever ideas and some fun sequences, but the uneven tone prevents the series from maintaining a consistent rhythm. Horror sequences occasionally lack suspense, while comedic beats feel forced, breaking immersion. Despite these issues, the series occasionally finds its footing, particularly when highlighting the quirky interplay between Vishnu and Mythili or during moments of unexpected comic relief.
The show’s ambition is clear, as it attempts to merge genres that rarely blend seamlessly in Malayalam content. The first episode sets up an intriguing premise, and the series explores traditional horror tropes, local legends, and supernatural suspense while trying to maintain humor. Some sequences successfully deliver mild chills and laughs, but the overall impact is inconsistent.
Final verdict
Inspection Bungalow is an ambitious and promising attempt at Malayalam horror-comedy. It has strong performances from Shabareesh Varma, Aadhya Prasad, Senthil Krishna, Saju Sreedhar, and Jayan Cherthala, with moments of humor and suspense that are enjoyable. However, inconsistent editing, lackluster color grading, and uneven writing prevent the series from fully capitalizing on its potential.
Despite its shortcomings, the series is worth a watch for viewers interested in light horror mixed with comedy. It succeeds in offering brief entertainment and introduces a fresh genre for Malayalam web content. For a first attempt at horror-comedy in Kerala, Inspection Bungalow delivers glimpses of fun, suspense, and local flavor, even if it does not fully satisfy genre expectations.
Star Rating: 3/5
