In 1978, in Delhi, two teenage siblings, Geeta and Sanjay Chopra, left home for a radio station. They were supposed to arrive at 7 pm to participate in a show. Despite leaving on time, the siblings never made it to the station. This was the beginning of a brutal kidnapping and murder case that shook the nation. Amazon Prime’s latest crime thriller, Raakh, is inspired by this case, known as the infamous Billa-Ranga murders of 1978. Directed by Prosit Roy, known for Paatal Lok, the eight-episode series features Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Aamir Bashir, Ramandeep Yadav, and Akash Makhija. Raakh is disturbing, dark, and unsettling. But there is something that truly sets it apart from your average crime thriller. Read this Raakh series review to find out more.

Delhi, 1978: A city gripped by fear

The brutal kidnapping and murder of siblings Geeta and Sanjay Chopra shocked the nation back in the 70s. Raakh, based on real-life crimes, doesn’t waste any time in setting the tone of the web series. What starts as a missing persons case quickly turns into a nightmare that grips the entire city.

The show opens with the disappearance of two teenagers, Sanjay and Suman Arora. Their parents, ex-army officer Ashok Arora (Aamir Bashir) and school teacher Mona Arora (Sonali Bendre), quickly lodge a complaint after they fail to find them. Twenty-four hours later, their bodies are discovered, full of fatal injuries. What seems like an isolated crime soon spirals into a far more sinister series of events.

The case is assigned to rookie cop Jayprakash Jatav (Ali Fazal), who is handling such a high-profile case for the first time. With public and police pressure mounting by the minute, a citywide investigation begins. With murderers Babu (Akash Makhija) and Rajjo (Ramandeep Yadav) on the loose, the team is forced into a desperate race against time.

Raakh quickly pulls viewers into its mystery and makes you feel uncomfortable right from the start. As the investigation unfolds, unsettling details surface, leading to one puzzle after another. Just when you think you have it figured out, Raakh reveals another piece of information that changes the entire picture.

What adds to the experience of watching the show is the mood, atmosphere, and background music. The narrow lanes, flickering lights and shady corners create a sense of anxiety, dread, and unease. And the music creates a chilling environment way before the actual threat shows up. Certain scenes between Rajjo and Babu will make you want to look away. You can almost feel the intensity and discomfort through the screen. The series does a great job of getting you invested in the story and making you sit through a wave of emotions.

The impressive ensemble and crisp storytelling are the main heroes

One of the best things about the show is that it doesn’t wait to build the tension. It throws you bang into the middle of a murder investigation and lets the story make your skin crawl. The crisp storytelling keeps you hooked and never makes it feel overstretched or dramatic.

Ali Fazal as Jayprakash delivers one of the finest and strongest performances in Raakh. He is not a know-it-all cop who just walks in and solves the case. His inexperience, uncertainty, and overwhelming need to prove himself make him believable and add an emotional weight to his character. He undoubtedly carries the series, bringing a refreshingly human character to the screen.

Sonali Bendre as Mona Arora has a calming yet commanding screen presence. The grieving parent who refuses to accept the reality of her situation, Mona, is subtle and never melodramatic. Her emotional dilemma brings warmth, grief, and helplessness that feel relatable. Aamir Bashir as Ashok Arora is as convincing as his wife. But he brings a layer of complexity to the investigation because he is not the type to sit and wait for answers.

Ramandeep Yadav as Rajjo and Akash Makhija as Babu are unbelievably good. You instantly feel a sense of dread and unease as soon as they pop up, and that is what makes them carry the show. Akash’s Babu is a hothead who will commit a crime first and think about it later. And Ramandeep’s Rajjo brings an emotional but equally compelling character to the screen. The supporting cast, including our absolute favourite Rakesh Bedi as JP’s dad, highlights their troubled relationship with utmost sincerity. Dibyendu Bhattacharya, as the senior cop, also adds to the story with his no-nonsense attitude.

While Raakh is not an easy watch, it is a worthy watch and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Can you watch it with your family? The show features explicit language, graphic details, and adult content. It is best to avoid adding it to your family watchlist.

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