Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas premiered on ZEE5 on October 17, 2025, bringing a chilling true-crime thriller that showcases Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar in career-defining roles. While the film stumbles with predictability in its final act, the gripping performances and gritty atmosphere make this crime drama worth your attention—especially if you’re curious to see “Jeetu Bhaiya” transform into a cold-blooded psychopath.
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What Makes Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas Stand Out?
Set in the small town of Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh, during 2009, Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas tackles the disturbing true story of 19 missing girls linked to a prostitution racket. Director Akshay Shere crafts an intense police procedural that stays socially relevant to contemporary India, even if the narrative occasionally treads familiar ground.
The film’s biggest asset? The casting choices that work brilliantly against type, particularly Jitendra Kumar stepping away from his beloved TVF comedy roles to play a sophisticated, charming serial predator.
Essential Film Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| OTT Platform | ZEE5 |
| Release Date | October 17, 2025 |
| Director | Akshay Shere |
| Lead Cast | Arshad Warsi, Jitendra Kumar |
| Supporting Cast | Ayesha Kaduskar, Tara Alisha Berry, Devas Dixit |
| Genre | Crime Thriller, Police Procedural |
| Runtime | 127 minutes |
| Language | Hindi |
| Based On | True events (2005-2009) |
| Rating | 2.5-3/5 (Critics Average) |
The Gripping Plot of Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas
ACP Vishwas Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi) arrives in Robertsganj as a punishment posting due to his anger issues. When young Poonam Mishra goes missing, sparking communal tensions, Bhagwat promises her father he’ll find her within 15 days. What begins as a single case unravels into something far more sinister—a chain of 19 disappeared women connected to neglected FIRs and a systematic prostitution racket.
Running parallel is the romance between charming professor Samir (Jitendra Kumar) and innocent Meera (Ayesha Kaduskar) in Varanasi. Their love story takes a dark turn when Meera vanishes, leading Bhagwat’s investigation straight to Samir’s door. The cat-and-mouse game that follows forms the heart of Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas.
Arshad Warsi: The Believable Cop
Arshad Warsi delivers one of his finest dramatic performances in Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas. His portrayal of the middle-aged, temperamental inspector feels refreshingly authentic—no six-pack abs or unrealistic action sequences here. Warsi’s Bhagwat is a weary officer who’s stopped caring about bureaucracy but still believes deeply in justice.
His lived-in intrigue and grounded performance anchor the film, even when the screenplay occasionally lets him down with placeholder family scenes and excessive mythological metaphors referencing the Bhagavad Gita.
Jitendra Kumar’s Shocking Transformation
The real surprise of Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas is Jitendra Kumar’s first negative role. Known affectionately as “Jeetu Bhaiya” from Panchayat and TVF’s comedy universe, Kumar transforms into a sophisticated antagonist whose calm demeanor makes him genuinely unsettling.
His ability to switch between charming suitor and chilling predator showcases remarkable range. The soft-spoken killer he portrays is far more terrifying than any screaming villain, making viewers deeply uncomfortable—which is exactly the point. Critics universally praise this against-type casting as the film’s biggest asset.
What Works in Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas
Strong Performances: Both leads deliver career-best work, with Ayesha Kaduskar (recently impressive in Bada Naam Karenge) providing another spectacular supporting performance.
Gritty Realism: The film avoids glamorizing police work or serial crimes, maintaining an authentic small-town atmosphere through Amogh Deshpande’s cinematography—yellowish hues and grainy textures create distinctive griminess.
Social Relevance: Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas addresses systemic failures in investigating missing women cases and how societal prejudices about inter-faith relationships hinder justice.
Fast-Paced First 90 Minutes: The parallel storytelling keeps viewers engaged with tension-building investigation sequences.
Where Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas Falters
Predictable Climax: The film’s biggest weakness is revealing its ace card too early—about ten minutes before necessary—draining tension from the finale.
Uneven Screenplay: An ill-timed 5-minute song placement and unnecessary courtroom dialogues disrupt narrative momentum. The editing maintains strong pacing for three quarters before faltering.
Striking Similarities: Unavoidable comparisons to Netflix’s Sector 36 (featuring Vikrant Massey as a similar psychopath) and the web series Dahaad make Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas feel somewhat derivative.
Weak Music: Songs “Kaccha Kaccha Aam” and “Gawahi De” fail to impress, though Mangesh Dhakde’s background score compensates.
Critical Reception
Critics have given Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas mixed-to-positive reviews:
- The Hollywood Reporter India praised it as staying “socially alive to the India we live in today”
- India Today awarded 2.5/5 stars, calling it “underwhelming despite solid performances”
- Free Press Journal gave 3/5 stars, recommending it for viewers wanting to see Jitendra Kumar in an unprecedented role
- Bollywood Hungama criticized the “uneven screenplay and abrupt ending”
Is Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas Worth Watching?
Despite its flaws, Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas deserves attention for several reasons. The film tackles an important social issue—systemic failures in protecting vulnerable women—with sincerity. The performances alone justify the 127-minute runtime, particularly if you’re curious about Jitendra Kumar’s dramatic range.
If you enjoyed crime thrillers like Sector 36, Dahaad, or Asur, you’ll find familiar elements here, though executed with less finesse. The title suggests a continuation (“Chapter One”), so expect potential sequels exploring more of Bhagwat’s cases.
Bottom Line
Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas is a crime thriller that works better in parts than as a cohesive whole. While predictability undermines its final act and the screenplay suffers from uneven pacing, the powerhouse performances from Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar elevate the material significantly.
For streaming on ZEE5, it’s a solid watch—especially for those who appreciate gritty, socially conscious crime dramas grounded in realistic portrayals of law enforcement. Just don’t expect groundbreaking twists, and you’ll find Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas to be a compelling, if familiar, addition to India’s growing true-crime thriller catalog.
Stream Bhagwat Chapter One Raakshas exclusively on ZEE5 starting October 17, 2025. Check IMDb for complete cast information and user reviews.
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