BOTTOM LINE
Raakshas: Neat but Dry Crime Drama
PLATFORM
ZEE5
RUNTIME
2 hours 5 minutes
What Is the Film About?
A cop, Vishwas Bhagwat, infamous for his unconventional ways of handling criminals, is handed a punishment posting in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. Soon after his arrival, he is assigned the case of a missing girl, a puzzle that unveils deeper layers of organized crime. A man named Samir, who claims to be a teacher, plans to elope with Meera. What connects these seemingly unrelated events?
Performances
Given the nature of the story, only two actors truly make an impression—Jitendra Kumar and Arshad Warsi. Warsi delivers a restrained and authentic performance, while Jitendra, in a refreshing break from his lighter roles, leaves a stronger mark. Ayesha Kaduskar and Tara Alisha Berry are well-cast in their short appearances.
Analysis
Bhagwat Chapter One – Raakshas isn’t your straightforward investigation drama. Its deceptively simple surface hides a sharp critique of a system whose loopholes allow wrongdoers to escape unpunished. The film revolves around the mind games between a cop and a man accused of killing nineteen women, exploring the blurred lines between justice and the abuse of power.
The two-hour-long drama shares its core premise with Amazon Prime’s hit show Daahad, where a female cop investigates a trail of missing women in nearby villages. While Daahad focuses on the criminal’s methods and the cop’s pursuit, Bhagwat is equally invested in courtroom proceedings that struggle to establish his guilt.
The narrative wastes little time. Like most stories about crimes against women, the entitled male cop Bhagwat is angry, disillusioned with the system and his superiors, and transferred to a remote Uttar Pradesh town to cool off. After the transfer, a seemingly minor missing girl case begins to consume him. He refuses to rest until the culprit is punished.
The first hour is fairly predictable. The cop settles into his new post, begins the investigation, and the hunt for the criminal takes off. Glimpses of the antagonist’s modus operandi appear early, and his arrest comes a bit too easily. Bhagwat uses unorthodox methods to extract a confession, but the accused keeps changing his stance in court, dragging the case endlessly.
The film becomes more engaging once the criminal is caught and the psychological tension between him and Bhagwat takes centre stage. Rajkumar keeps finding ways to delay the inevitable, confuses witnesses, tampers with evidence, and ridicules the courtroom while everyone looks on helplessly. A surprise twist in the climax adds to the tension, and the criminal enjoys his share of triumph.
Even when Bhagwat concludes, there is no easy resolution. The flaws in the judicial system remain. At a time when films about crimes against women often resort to vigilante justice, this one allows the criminal his voice, though he misuses it. It leaves viewers with many questions, but for the right reasons.
On the downside, the characters remain emotionally distant. It’s one of those rare films where you wish for more screen time to connect with them as individuals, beyond their professions. The plot-heavy narrative leaves little room for character depth, and the finale feels rushed, failing to deliver the emotional weight it promises.
The raw, realistic treatment, free from commercial gimmicks, is its main strength. Bhagwat Chapter One – Raakshas has several praiseworthy elements—solid performances, an unconventional premise, effective moments of drama—but overall, it never quite rises above its parts. It is a neat attempt that could have been more piercing.
Music and Other Departments?
On the technical front, Mangesh Dhadke’s background score enhances the tension effectively. Real locations in the first half add authenticity, though flat lighting and pale visuals work against the mood. The narrative stays sharp, but the characters lack emotional grounding.
Highlights?
Good performances
Decent premise
Engaging in parts
Drawbacks?
Loses momentum in the second hour (despite its strong ideas)
Emotionally underwhelming
Predictable story, rushed ending
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Just for Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar
Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas Movie Review by M9
