Amazon Prime Video's latest crime drama Raakh transports viewers to late-1970s Delhi, revisiting a case that left a lasting scar on the nation's collective memory. Loosely inspired by the infamous Ranga-Billa case, the eight-episode series combines a police investigation with a portrait of a city confronting a new kind of fear.
Directed by Prosit Roy and headlined by Ali Fazal, Raakh begins with the disappearance of two teenage siblings after they accept a ride from strangers on a rainy day. What initially appears to be a kidnapping quickly develops into a murder investigation that sparks a nationwide manhunt.
The series follows rookie sub-inspector Jayprakash, played by Ali Fazal, as he leads the search for the perpetrators. Running parallel to the investigation is the story of the two accused criminals, allowing the narrative to examine both the pursuit of justice and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
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A portrait of a changing Delhi
One of Raakh's strongest elements is its recreation of a Delhi that was vastly different from the city known today. The series presents a society where trust between strangers still existed, while gradually showing how a single crime altered public perception and deepened anxieties about urban life.
The show also explores themes of class division, social exclusion and institutional challenges. Through Jayprakash's journey within the police force, the story touches on caste discrimination and the struggles faced by those attempting to rise through the system on merit.
IG/ Prime Video
Ali Fazal delivers one of the more compelling performances in the series, portraying an officer determined to solve the case despite personal and professional obstacles. Akash Makhija and Ramandeep Yadav, who play fictionalised versions of the killers, bring intensity to roles that form the darker side of the narrative.
Strong performances, familiar territory
Although Raakh manages to create a disturbing tone and effectively convey the process of investigating in the pre-digital world, sometimes it is hard for the series to distinguish itself from other crime-dramas like Delhi Crime and Paatal Lok.
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The attention to historical details is commendable. With its focus on landline phones, witness drawings, police alerts on the radio and the whole process of investigation, Raakh gives an idea of what a criminal investigation would look like without today's technology.
Sometimes it uses more explicit scenes and genre clichés than it should in order to tell a story and create suspense. However, the show is entertaining precisely due to its historical background and its attempt to address the tragic events of the past. In conclusion, although Raakh does not contribute much to developing a new subgenre within crime-thrillers, it provides a serious analysis of the crime which made people think differently about their home city.
FAQs
What is Raakh based on?
Raakh is loosely inspired by the infamous Ranga-Billa case of 1978, one of India's most widely discussed criminal cases.
Where can viewers watch Raakh?
The eight-episode Hindi-language crime drama is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
