Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas Review: Arshad Warsi's quiet intensity fuels a restrained true-crime tale

Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas Review: Arshad Warsi's quiet intensity fuels a restrained true-crime tale

‘Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas,’ directed by Akshay Shere will begin streaming on Zee5 from 17th October and stars Arshad Warsi, Jitendra Kumar, Ayesha Kaduskar, Rashmi Rajput, Tara Alisha Berry and Devas Dixit.

Dark tale of a real-life crime

‘Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas’ is an intense film that explores a real-life crime incident involving a serial killer in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh. While the depiction of the events is handled with sincerity and backed by strong performances, the film could have ventured further in detailing the killer’s modus operandi and avoided unnecessary confusion caused by introducing numerous victims in the second half. Still, ‘Bhagwat’ stands out as a gripping crime drama that remains grounded in its setting and tone. The honesty in its storytelling comes through clearly, though the film’s sluggish pacing often works against the tension it tries to build. There’s an underlying authenticity in the way it approaches its subject, but one wishes the narrative were tighter and more relentless in maintaining the suspense.

Missing girls and a consumed cop

Based on true events, the story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of young girls from Robertsganj, a district in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Vishwas Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi), a no-nonsense Superintendent of Police, is posted there as a form of punishment. Soon after his arrival, he’s confronted with the case of Poonam Mishra/Meera (Ayesha Kaduskar), a missing girl whose disappearance exposes a disturbing pattern. As he digs deeper, Bhagwat realizes that several young women have vanished under similar circumstances, with a few cases even recorded as FIRs. As the numbers rise, so does Bhagwat’s determination to catch the perpetrator, until the case begins to consume him entirely. A manhunt eventually leads to the arrest of Rajkumar/Sameer (Jitendra Kumar), but when he begins manipulating the legal system with cunning tactics, the battle between law and evil takes a darker, more psychological turn.

Mood, ambience and missed momentum

‘Bhagwat’ succeeds in creating an ominous mood that lingers from the opening frame. The atmosphere is heavy with dread, and the cinematography captures the rawness of small-town Uttar Pradesh with precision. Yet, the film’s pacing is uneven—moments that should have simmered with intensity instead feel drawn out. It’s the kind of film that should have built tension layer by layer, like revealing one card at a time, but the rhythm falters midway. Apart from the dialect, the filmmakers have authentically recreated the local milieu, and the visuals effectively reflect the socio-economic backdrop where the story unfolds. However, while most departments work in harmony, the film hesitates to push boundaries or delve deeper into the psyche of its ‘Raakshas.’ The evil remains mostly implied, and the restraint, though artistic, sometimes undercuts the film’s chilling potential.

Performances anchor the chaos

Arshad Warsi, as Vishwas Bhagwat, delivers a mature and measured performance. It’s a role reminiscent of his cop act in ‘Sehar,’ but here he channels more restraint than rage. His portrayal of a man torn between duty and despair feels lived-in and believable. Jitendra Kumar, as Sameer/Rajkumar, however, is the film’s revelation. His transformation from a love-struck young man to a remorseless killer is both terrifying and fascinating. The scenes where he calmly describes how he deceived his victims and led them to their deaths are haunting and showcase his range as an actor. His expressions are controlled, his menace understated, and his performance elevates the film’s overall tone. The supporting cast adds texture, though many side characters remain underexplored, reflecting the screenplay’s uneven focus.

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A gripping story that stops short

‘Bhagwat’ checks most of the boxes for a compelling thriller—atmosphere, performances, and authenticity—yet it stops short of being good. The narrative feels hurried in parts, leaving the victims’ stories and emotional depth largely unexplored. The cat-and-mouse chase between the killer and the police is only lightly touched upon, missing opportunities for real psychological confrontation. Despite its potential, the film doesn’t evoke the emotional impact it promises. Still, ‘Bhagwat’ deserves credit for attempting to tell a disturbing story rooted in reality with seriousness and restraint. It’s an effective yet imperfect film—one that grips through its premise but leaves you wishing it had gone a little darker, a little deeper, and a little braver.

Rating: 3/5