Raakh Review
Director: Prosit Roy, Sandeep Saket and Anusha Nandakumar
Date Created: 2026-06-12 11:40
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Raakh Review: Created by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket and directed by Prosit Roy, and Sandeep Saket, Prime Video’s latest crime drama is inspired by one of the most horrifying 1970s murder cases in Indian history. Starring Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Aamir Bashir, Akash Makhija, Ramandeep Yadav, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and others. The series has eight episodes, each with a runtime of 45 minutes.
Raakh Review
Firstly, I would like to inform you about one of the features of Prime Video’s Raakh, and it is that it does not intend to entertain its viewers through solving crimes. In most crime-based shows, the suspense lies in the discovery of the guilty party, or something shocking happens. However, it is quite different from others because instead of keeping its audience entertained by shocking incidents, it is focused on portraying the consequences of those terrible crimes.
The plot is based on the disappearance of two young brothers from Delhi in an era when such crimes were relatively unheard of. As the investigation by the police progresses, the drama reveals the inadequacies of the systems and the darker aspects of life that exist beneath the surface. However, despite its investigative nature, the drama does not sever its connection with the victims and their families.
It is this emphasis on grief which makes the show such a strong one. Unlike many crime dramas, Prime Video series Raakh does not try to distil the tragedy into mere documents. Instead, the series constantly draws our attention to the fact that each step taken by the investigators comes at an incredibly high price. And that is what makes so many moments on the show truly memorable.
SI Jayprakash Jatav is played with immense talent by Ali Fazal. Fazal has delivered one of the most outstanding performances of his acting career. While other actors play their roles like they are playing cops, this one actually tries to show that a cop faces immense pressure from within due to all that he sees. SI Jatav is committed, determined, smart, yet tired and emotionally drained from all he has witnessed. This is definitely the most down-to-earth cop role I have ever seen.
Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir also deserve mention as the bereaved parents. They give a strong performance and play an important role in adding emotionality to the story, offering many tear-jerking scenes. Particularly notable is Sonali Bendre with her portrayal of a vulnerable mother who cannot cope with her grief. She succeeds in conveying sadness without uttering a single word, and such scenes leave a long-lasting impression. Similarly talented is Aamir Bashir, who offers an incredible portrayal of a man who tries to stay strong despite his inner weakness.
Akash Makhija’s and Ramandeep Yadav’s performances deserve mentioning, too. What is particularly disturbing about their roles of Babu and Rajjo is that it does not stem from the fact that the series makes them look like caricature villains, but because they are portrayed in such a realistic and terrifying manner. Prime Video Raakh series focuses on the history and the circumstances behind them without ever trying to make people feel sorry for what they have done.
There is one element from the series which I found quite interesting, and that was the portrayal of Delhi during the late seventies. In fact, it does seem like the production design, costumes, transportation, and settings have all come together to give us an environment that is realistic rather than being nostalgic. The city itself is very much a part of the story.
Cinematography is crucial in setting the tone of this show. Raakh frequently employs long takes, a desaturated colour palette, and shadows to accentuate the gravity of emotions in the storyline. The directors have confidence in their audience to endure being uncomfortable instead of moving from shock to shock in the series. The latter slowly builds momentum and becomes more and more compelling throughout its course.
Another aspect that attracted my attention was the fact that the show looked at issues surrounding the case systemically, looking into the problems that can impede solving the crime. These issues, such as bureaucracy, rivalry among the professionals, and the limitations of the system itself, do not overshadow the main plot but only add value to it.
However, the series does come with its weaknesses. There are instances when the side stories drag on unnecessarily, while other scenes repeat the same emotion far too frequently. There are also times when one wonders whether the movie might have achieved the same effect in fewer scenes. Audiences who expect an action-packed film full of surprises may find that it is rather slow.
Prime Video Raakh Review: Summing Up
The 2026 Raakh series might take inspiration from incidents in the past decade, but it deals with themes that are highly relevant today. In essence, it can be said to be an excellent series that poses many tough questions but gives very few simple answers. However, for those willing to sit through it, it will undoubtedly prove to be one of the best Indian crime series this year.
