Bhagwat: Chapter One – Raakshas is not an easy watch—and it doesn’t want to be. Directed by Akshay Shere, this Hindi-language crime thriller plunges the viewer into the darkest corners of human psychology, systemic apathy, and moral conflict. Streaming on ZEE5 since 17 October 2025, the film draws unsettling parallels with the real-life Cyanide Mohan case, while rooting its narrative firmly in the socio-political realities of small-town India.
At its core, Bhagwat: Chapter One – Raakshas is not just about catching a killer. It is about the cost of justice, the limits of the law, and the emotional scars carried by those who enforce it.
A Story That Begins with Neglect—and Explodes into Horror
Set in Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh, in October 2009, the film opens with the disappearance of a young woman, Poonam Mishra. What initially appears to be a routine missing-person case is quickly dismissed by local authorities as an elopement—revealing deep-seated misogyny, colourism, and moral judgment within the system. The situation escalates dangerously when a local politician weaponises the incident, spinning a communal “love jihad” narrative that sparks unrest and riots.
Into this volatile environment arrives DSP Vishwas Bhagwat, portrayed with controlled intensity by Arshad Warsi. Bhagwat is not the loud, chest-thumping cop of mainstream cinema. He is quiet, observant, and deeply wounded. His personal trauma—his sister having been a victim of a similar crime years ago—anchors the investigation with emotional urgency.
As Bhagwat digs deeper, phone records, missing women across towns, and a suspicious pattern begin to emerge. What unfolds is a chilling revelation of a serial killer operating under the guise of romance, marriage, and trust.
Parallel Narratives: Love as a Weapon
Running parallel to the police investigation is an unsettling love story between Sameer and Mira. Jitendra Kumar, known largely for his affable and earnest screen persona, delivers a career-defining performance here as Sameer—later revealed as Rajkumar Siritiya.
His portrayal is terrifying precisely because it is understated. Rajkumar is charming, intelligent, patient, and disturbingly calm. He exploits emotional vulnerability, societal taboos, and patriarchal pressure to lure women into elopement—only to murder them using cyanide disguised as Ayurvedic medicine.
The film smartly avoids sensationalism. Instead, it shows how easily trust can be manipulated, how “love” can become a trap, and how victims are often blamed even in death.
A Cat-and-Mouse Game Fueled by Ego and Ethics
Once Rajkumar is arrested, the film transforms into a psychological battle. Bhagwat wants justice; Rajkumar wants control. The interrogation scenes are among the film’s most gripping moments—especially when Rajkumar provokes Bhagwat into violence, later planning to use police brutality as a legal shield.
Rajkumar does not see himself as a monster. He calls himself a hawk—an apex predator in transition—believing the law will never truly cage him. His arrogance is chilling, and his courtroom theatrics are deeply unsettling.
The trial sequences expose the fragility of the justice system: witnesses retract statements, evidence collapses under technicalities, and truth struggles to survive legal manoeuvring. Bhagwat’s moral dilemma intensifies—should he follow procedure and risk letting a demon walk free, or cross the line and lose himself?
Mira’s Choice: The Most Powerful Moment
The emotional climax of the film arrives not with violence, but with courage. Mira—believed dead—has survived and rebuilt her life. When Bhagwat approaches her to testify, the film raises its most haunting question: How much should a survivor sacrifice for justice?
Her internal conflict, her husband’s hesitation, and society’s judgment collide in a painfully realistic manner. When Mira finally steps into the courtroom, the balance shifts. For the first time, fear replaces arrogance on Rajkumar’s face.
This moment does not feel triumphant—it feels necessary. And that is the film’s greatest strength.
Performances That Elevate the Narrative
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Arshad Warsi delivers one of his finest performances, internalised and restrained, as DSP Vishwas Bhagwat.
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Jitendra Kumar shocks with his transformation into a calculated psychopath—arguably his boldest role yet.
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Supporting performances by Tara Alisha Berry, Ayesha Kaduskar, Devas Dikshit, and Hemant Saini add depth and authenticity to the narrative.
Technical Merits and Direction
Akshay Shere’s direction is confident and uncompromising. The cinematography maintains a muted, almost claustrophobic tone, mirroring the moral suffocation of the story. The background score is sparse, allowing silence to amplify tension. Editing keeps the lengthy narrative focused, despite its layered structure.
Final Verdict
Bhagwat: Chapter One – Raakshas is not entertainment in the conventional sense. It is disturbing, slow-burning, and emotionally draining—but also necessary. It confronts uncomfortable truths about gender, power, communal politics, and the limits of law enforcement.
This is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
For viewers who appreciate serious crime dramas rooted in realism, this is a must-watch—and a strong addition to Indian OTT cinema.
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