Critics Review:
There are some crimes that transcend police records and courtrooms. They become a part of a city’s collective memory. Stories that continue to be whispered decades later, not because people enjoy revisiting them, but because they serve as reminders of how fragile safety can be. Raakh is one such story.
Inspired by the infamous Ranga-Billa case that shook Delhi in 1978, the series revisits one of the darkest chapters in Indian criminal history. While the narrative fictionalizes certain events and characters, the horror at its core remains painfully real. The result is a crime drama that is less concerned with creating sensational thrills and more interested in exploring fear, grief, helplessness, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Starring Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Akash Makhija, Ramandeep Yadav, Divya Sharma, Vivaan Sharma, Aamir Bashir, Anshul Chauhan, Rakesh Bedi, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in pivotal roles, Raakh is not an easy watch. It is dark, disturbing, emotionally exhausting, and at times deeply uncomfortable. Yet, that is precisely what makes it effective.
A Crime That Changed Delhi Forever
For many, the Ranga-Billa case was more than just another criminal investigation. It altered how people perceived safety in the national capital and became one of the most talked-about crimes of its era. Decades later, the mere mention of the case continues to evoke discomfort and sadness.
What makes Raakh stand apart is that it does not rush towards the crime itself. Instead, it carefully builds the atmosphere surrounding it. The Delhi of the late 1970s feels alive on screen, a city without surveillance cameras, mobile phones, GPS tracking, or instant
communication. Every delay feels dangerous. Every missed lead feels devastating. Every passing day feels heavier than the last. The audience enters the story already aware of the tragedy that has occurred. The investigators, however, are still searching for answers. That gap between what the viewers know and what the characters are desperately trying to discover creates an unsettling tension that remains throughout the series.
The Fear of Not Knowing
Most crime dramas begin with a crime and move towards justice. Raakh chooses a slightly different route. The audience already knows the tragedy that unfolded. What keeps the narrative engaging is the uncertainty experienced by the investigators and the families during the thirteen-day pursuit that eventually led to the arrest of the accused.
The waiting, searching, dead ends, and constant fear of being too late become the emotional backbone of the story. The series effectively captures how helpless an investigation can feel when resources are limited and time is the greatest enemy. Every lead carries hope, every setback feels crushing, and every passing day increases the pressure on those trying to piece together a horrifying puzzle.
Unlike many contemporary thrillers that rely on dramatic twists every few minutes, Raakh finds its strength in patience. It allows the fear to simmer rather than explode, making the experience far more impactful.
Evil Does Not Always Look Extraordinary
One of the most disturbing aspects of Raakh is its understanding that evil rarely announces itself. There are no grand introductions, no dramatic monologues, and no attempts to romanticize criminality.
The streets look ordinary. The people look ordinary. Life appears normal. Yet beneath that ordinary existence lurks unimaginable cruelty. The series repeatedly reminds viewers that some of the most horrifying crimes in history were committed not by monsters hiding in the shadows but by people who blended seamlessly into society. That uncomfortable reality gives Raakh much of its emotional power.
Instead of focusing on spectacle, the narrative chooses realism. The criminals are not presented as fascinating anti-heroes. The crime itself is not glorified. The emphasis remains firmly on the devastation left behind and the lives forever altered because of it.
Performances That Carry the Weight of the Story
A subject as emotionally heavy as Raakh requires performances capable of carrying the burden of its narrative, and the cast delivers throughout.
Ali Fazal brings remarkable restraint to his role. Rather than relying on dramatic outbursts, he allows silence, expressions, and body language to communicate the emotional weight of the investigation. It is a performance that grows stronger with each episode.
Sonali Bendre’s return to a substantial dramatic role is equally impressive. She brings dignity, maturity, and emotional depth to the narrative. There is a quiet strength to her performance that perfectly complements the tone of the series.
However, some of the most memorable moments come from the supporting cast. Akash Makhija, Ramandeep Yadav, Divya Sharma, Vivaan Sharma, Aamir Bashir, Anshul Chauhan, Rakesh Bedi, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya contribute significantly to the authenticity of the story. Every character feels real. Every reaction feels believable. Nobody is trying to steal the spotlight or become the hero. Everyone is simply serving the story and that commitment elevates the narrative considerably.
Darkness That Refuses to Leave
One of the biggest strengths of Raakh is its refusal to offer comfort. The darkness here is not merely visual. It is emotional.
A constant sense of dread hangs over every episode. Even when the investigation progresses, there is little room for celebration because the audience is constantly reminded that justice can punish criminals but cannot undo tragedy. The violence is never romanticized. The trauma is never treated as a plot device. The grief is never forgotten. Instead, the series remains focused on the emotional aftermath and the scars left behind.
This commitment to emotional honesty separates Raakh from many contemporary crime dramas that often prioritize twists and shock value over substance. The show understands that some stories are frightening not because of what happened, but because of the pain that continues long after.
A Slow Burn That Demands Patience
The pacing of Raakh may divide audiences. This is not a thriller interested in delivering a major revelation every ten minutes. It takes its time building atmosphere, relationships, and emotional stakes. For viewers willing to invest patience, the gradual unfolding of events creates a deeply immersive experience.
That said, there are moments where the narrative lingers longer than necessary. Certain investigative stretches could have benefited from tighter editing, and a few supporting storylines deserved more exploration. The procedural elements occasionally become repetitive, particularly in the middle episodes. Yet even during these slower passages, the performances and atmosphere remain compelling enough to keep the audience invested.
More Than Just a Crime Drama
What ultimately elevates Raakh is its understanding that this is not merely a story about catching criminals. It is a story about fear, about grief, a city losing its innocence. It is about parents questioning safety, and officers battling limitations. It is about families learning to live with loss. Long after the investigation concludes, it is not the crime itself that remains in memory. It is the sadness, discomfort, and emotional weight carried by everyone involved. The series understands that some tragedies never truly end. They simply become part of history, continuing to haunt generations that follow.
Final Verdict
Raakh is a deeply haunting, emotionally heavy, and remarkably acted crime drama that revisits one of India’s most infamous criminal cases with sincerity and restraint. While its deliberate pacing and occasional narrative stretches may test the patience of some viewers, the atmospheric storytelling, emotional depth, and powerful performances ensure that the journey remains worthwhile.
Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Akash Makhija, Aamir Bashir, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and the entire ensemble cast deliver performances that elevate every scene. More importantly, the series succeeds in reminding viewers why the Ranga-Billa case continues to occupy a place in India’s collective memory nearly five decades later.
Raakh is not merely the story of a crime. It is the story of a city haunted by it, a society shaped by it, and memories that, like ashes after a fire, refuse to disappear completely.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
By: Anushka Singhal
