Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas  Movie Review— Can You Handle Arshad Warsi & Jitendra Kumar’s Unsettling Mystery?

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The moment I heard about Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas, I sat up straight. As an avid thriller watcher, I’m always on the lookout for stories that don’t just entertain but unsettle and provoke. This film promised exactly that: Arshad Warsi as a cop with shadows behind his badge, Jitendra Kumar stepping into murkier waters than we’ve seen him before, and a small town in Uttar Pradesh where a missing-girls investigation keeps twisting. With director Akshay Shere at the helm, the potential was there for a true crime-thriller that bites. The trailer had me hooked; I settled in wanting to be challenged, surprised, and maybe a little scared.

The film starts strong, gripping you with genuine tension. It also quietly reminds you how high the bar has risen for thrillers these days. The dust-laden lanes of Robertsganj feel real, and the investigation’s first hour had me leaning forward, scribbling mental notes. By the climax, a few narrative threads felt loose, but the tension and performances kept me engaged throughout. Still, for a genre fan who’s always searching for the next “must-watch,” Bhagwat offers more than most recent entries; it gives solid performances, a moody setting, and a case that threatens at every turn.

The Story That Unfolds

Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas opens in the heart of Robertsganj, a dusty town in Uttar Pradesh that feels too quiet for comfort. The story kicks off with a series of mysterious disappearances. Young girls vanish without a trace, leaving anxious families and unanswered questions behind. The case lands in the hands of ACP Bhaskar (Arshad Warsi), a seasoned but weary cop carrying ghosts of his own past. His approach isn’t flashy, but methodical. He observes more than he speaks, and that silence carries weight. As the tension builds, you start sensing that this isn’t just another police case, it’s something that will test Bhaskar’s own beliefs and boundaries.

As Bhaskar begins connecting the dots, he crosses paths with a local schoolteacher, Deepak (Jitendra Kumar), whose gentle demeanor masks something deeper. Their interactions form the emotional spine of the film, part suspicion, part empathy, and entirely unpredictable. Layer by layer, the investigation reveals not just clues about the disappearances, but about the rot within the system: corrupt officials, religious manipulation, and a society that chooses denial over truth. The dynamic between Bhaskar and Deepak keeps you constantly guessing. Are they on the same side, or heading toward the same darkness from different directions?

What’s most fascinating is how Bhagwat treats its mystery like a slow poison. There’s no rush to shock you with jump scares or dramatic revelations. Instead, every scene builds unease through silences, glances, and the weight of conversations that hint at more than they say. By the time the third act unravels, the “Raakshas” isn’t just a person, it’s an idea. It’s what’s born when guilt, faith, and vengeance collide. And when the final frame fades out, you’re left questioning who the real monster truly was: the killer, the believers, or the society that chose to look away.

The Faces Behind the Thriller

Arshad Warsi delivers one of his most grounded performances in years as ACP Bhaskar. There’s no over-the-top heroism here. Just quiet authority, layered emotion, and fatigue that seeps through every scene. He plays Bhaskar like a man who’s seen too much and trusts too little, giving even his silences a purpose. The way he internalizes grief and guilt without ever spelling it out makes his performance unforgettable. This isn’t the loud, wisecracking Warsi we’ve seen before; this is him stripped down to raw honesty, and it works brilliantly. The weariness in his eyes and the weight of duty pressing down make the performance hit home in a way that lingers long after each scene.

Jitendra Kumar, on the other hand, is an absolute revelation. Known mostly for his softer, relatable roles, he dives into Deepak with unsettling precision. His calm presence hides a storm. That unpredictability keeps you glued to the screen. One moment, you feel sympathy for him; the next, you’re not sure if you should. It’s a performance that thrives on restraint, never loud, but always impactful. Jitendra’s ability to blur the line between innocence and manipulation is what makes Deepak such a fascinating character to watch.

The supporting cast, Shweta Basu Prasad, Neha Chauhan, and Rajesh Tailang, adds weight to the story. They never overshadow the leads, but make every scene feel grounded. Shweta, in particular, brings depth to her limited screen time, making you wish the film had given her more to do. The character dynamics feel authentic, like real people caught in impossible moral situations. And that’s what gives Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas its edge; it’s not about big performances; it’s about believable ones that make the story feel uncomfortably real. Even the smallest interactions carry tension, making each scene feel alive, layered, and richly textured.

Visuals & Sound That Haunt

The cinematography in Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas is one of its strongest weapons. Shot mostly in dimly lit interiors and misty exteriors, every frame feels deliberate. It’s not just about looking pretty; it’s about making you feel the tension. The camera lingers on uneasy silences, cracked walls, half-open doors, and faces lit by flickering bulbs, all of which build an atmosphere that’s quietly suffocating. It’s not glossy, it’s gritty, exactly what a thriller like this needs. The way shadows and reflections are used to mirror characters’ inner conflicts deserves a mention; it’s storytelling through visuals at its best.

The background score is subtle and haunting. It never forces tension, but constantly reminds you it’s there. The use of ambient sound, ticking clocks, creaking floors, and distant chants keeps the sense of dread alive even in moments of stillness. The title track and recurring motifs add a ritualistic tone, fitting perfectly with the film’s undercurrent of mythology and morality. The music doesn’t overwhelm the story; it blends into it, amplifying emotions instead of dictating them. By the end, you realize the soundscape has been working on you quietly all along, tightening the emotional grip scene by scene.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?

Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas isn’t your usual crime thriller; it’s slow, intense, and demands your attention. If you love peeling back psychological layers, this one delivers. If you’re wondering whether you should watch it, go ahead, but don’t expect too much. It’s not just about catching a killer, but confronting what makes us capable of darkness. The performances are grounded, the mood is heavy, and every scene feels loaded with tension. Raakshas lingers long after the credits, quietly asking, “Who’s the real monster here?

By the way, if you’re into grounded film thoughts, underrated thriller picks, or just plain honest recommendations, I’m over on Instagram:@bingewatch_perspective.  That’s where I post quick recaps, hot takes, and those offbeat gems you might’ve missed.

If you’re in the mood for something fun and light-hearted after this thriller, dive into my review of Greater Kalesh — a movie full of family, chaos, and Diwali vibes.

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