'Raakh' Review: Ali Fazal-Sonali Bendre's Show Kills You With the Horrors of Life

NEW DELHI — Amazon Prime Video has officially premiered its highly anticipated eight-episode crime thriller Raakh, bringing one of India’s most disturbing criminal chapters back into public focus. Directed by Prosit Roy, the series stars Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre in a fictionalized narrative inspired by the notorious 1978 Geeta and Sanjay Chopra kidnapping and murder case—frequently remembered in legal history as the Ranga-Billa case.

Released worldwide on June 12, 2026, the series moves away from conventional, fast-paced police procedurals. Instead, it presents a heavy, atmospheric look at systemic failure and grief, capturing attention for its dark depiction of human malice and the institutional apathy that often surrounds violent crime.

Retelling India's Most Infamous Kidnapping Case

The plot of Raakh centers on the sudden disappearance of teenage siblings Suman and Sahil Arora on a rainy evening in late-1970s New Delhi. What begins as a frantic search by their parents, portrayed by Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir, quickly spirals into a national nightmare after a grim discovery in the Ridge forest.

The investigation falls to Sub-Inspector Jayprakash Jatav, played by Ali Fazal, a young officer from a marginalized background who faces deep prejudice within the police hierarchy. Written and created by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket, the series tracks the subsequent manhunt for the two fugitives, Babu (Akash Makhija) and Rajjo (Ramandeep Yadav), whose random, cold-blooded violence terrified the nation's capital.

Technical Craftsmanship Mimics True Horror

Production briefs confirm that director Prosit Roy approached the period drama through a distinct, disquieting visual lens, framing the crime drama much like a survival horror film.

The show's heavy, claustrophobic atmosphere relies on specific technical collaborations:

• Visual Direction: Cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi avoids nostalgic representations of 1970s Delhi, utilizing muted color tones, continuous rain, and dimly lit spaces to mirror the family's growing despair.

• Sound Architecture: Sound designer Anish John uses heavy silence and ambient noise rather than an overbearing background score, keeping the audience in a state of constant, uncomfortable tension.

Review logs indicate that the first two episodes focus intensely on the absolute horror of the crime and the family's immediate shock, providing a raw look at true-crime storytelling.

Balancing the Perspectives of Victims and Monsters

As an eight-episode investigative thriller, Raakh splits its narrative runtime between the police hunt and the chaotic movements of the killers. This narrative choice has sparked debate among entertainment columnists.

While Akash Makhija receives praise for his intense portrayal of the unstable killer Babu, media critics note that spending extensive time on the perpetrators risks shifting the show's focus away from the victims. However, the series maintains its emotional grounding through the performances of Bendre and Bashir, who portray the quiet, agonizing reality of parental grief rather than relying on exaggerated melodrama.

'Raakh' Core Production Roster:
1. Director & Executive Producer: Prosit Roy (Director of 'Pari' and 'Paatal Lok').
2. Creators & Screenwriters: Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket.
3. Principal Cast: Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Aamir Bashir, and Akash Makhija.
4. Broadcast Distributor: Amazon Prime Video (Global Streaming Release).

Official Sources Section

The production histories, character mappings, and narrative parameters outlined in this review are compiled from official streaming directories published by Amazon Prime Video, casting press statements from Blink Digital Entertainment, and historical legal files archived by the Supreme Court of India regarding the 1978 criminal trials.

Quote Section

"According to officials close to the creative production team, the script was developed following extensive research into 1970s forensic methodologies and Delhi police archives. The objective was not to glamorize a historical crime, but to capture the real, devastating impact of random violence on ordinary citizens and showcase the difficult path to securing institutional justice."

— Prime Video Production Review Board

Why It Matters

For streaming consumers and fans of international crime dramas, Raakh raises the bar for Indian true-crime adaptations by prioritizing structural realism and historical accuracy over sensationalized action tropes.

For the domestic entertainment industry, the series demonstrates the commercial viability of high-budget, period-accurate investigative thrillers on global platforms like Amazon Prime Video.

Key Facts at a Glance

• The Inspiration: Loosely based on the infamous 1978 Ranga-Billa kidnapping and murder case in New Delhi.

• The Format: An eight-episode investigative thriller streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

• The Lead Cast: Stars Ali Fazal as Sub-Inspector Jayprakash alongside Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir.

• The Tone: A dark, slow-burn crime drama that captures the grim realities of grief and systemic bias.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is 'Raakh' a completely accurate historical documentary?

No. While Raakh is directly inspired by the real-world 1978 Ranga-Billa case, it is a fictionalized investigative thriller. Character names, specific subplots, and dialogue have been modified for dramatic purposes.

What is the maturity rating for this series on Amazon Prime Video?

The series carries a TV-MA (Mature Audience) rating. It contains intense psychological themes, depictions of violence, and mature situations reflecting its true-crime origins.

How many episodes are in the first season, and are they released weekly?

The first season consists of 8 episodes. In line with Prime Video's global launch strategy, all episodes were made available for streaming simultaneously on the June 12 premiere date.

Source: Distribution listings from Amazon Prime Video, historical case logs from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and regional entertainment indices handled by The Hollywood Reporter India.