ZEE5’s latest crime thriller Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas premiered on October 17, 2025, delivering a gritty procedural drama anchored by powerhouse performances from Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar. Directed by Akshay Shere, this serial killer investigation unfolds in the small town of Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh, where missing girls, buried secrets, and a relentless inspector collide in a dark narrative that grips viewers through its first half but stumbles toward an underwhelming conclusion.
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Plot: A Serial Killer Investigation in Small Town India
Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas opens in 2009 Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh, where 19-year-old Poonam Mishra vanishes without a trace. Local police initially dismiss it as a runaway case—after all, her money, jewelry, and wedding clothes disappeared with her. The casual sexism and apathy are on full display when one officer suggests her dark complexion made marriage unlikely anyway. Enter Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi), a newly transferred officer haunted by personal demons who promises Poonam’s father he’ll find her within 15 days.
Running parallel is the story of Sameer (Jitendra Kumar), a chemistry teacher who falls for Meera (Ayesha Kaduskar) and plans to elope with her. When Meera disappears, Bhagwat’s investigation leads him to Sameer, uncovering a chilling pattern: 19 girls have vanished from the region, and someone the film refers to as “Raakshas” (demon) is responsible. The film follows Bhagwat’s methodical investigation as he pieces together a horrifying truth that shatters the town’s facade of normalcy.
Performances: Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar Shine
Arshad Warsi delivers one of his finest performances as Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat, portraying a man wrestling with anger management issues and past trauma while remaining fiercely dedicated to justice. India Forums praised his “controlled fury simmering beneath a composed exterior,” noting that Warsi brings gravitas and authenticity to a character who could have easily veered into caricature. His portrayal of a small-town cop navigating bureaucracy, corruption, and personal grief feels lived-in and real.
Jitendra Kumar, beloved for his wholesome roles in TVF’s Panchayat and Kota Factory, takes a dramatic turn into dark territory with Sameer. His transformation represents the film’s biggest shock, with critics noting that seeing “Jeetu Bhaiya” in such a morally ambiguous role is genuinely unsettling. Kumar proves his range extends far beyond comedy, delivering a nuanced performance that keeps viewers guessing about his character’s true nature until the final act. The supporting cast, including Ayesha Kaduskar, Tara Alisha Berry, and Devas Dixit, provide solid performances that ground the film in realism.
Direction and Cinematography: Realism Meets Procedural Thriller
Director Akshay Shere crafts a deliberately paced procedural thriller that prioritizes atmosphere and character over sensationalism. The film’s visual approach—natural lighting, handheld camerawork, and muted color palettes—creates a documentary-like texture that enhances the story’s authenticity. The small-town setting feels genuinely lived-in, capturing both the provincial charm and the underlying darkness of communities where secrets fester beneath surface respectability.
For its first 90 minutes, Bhagwat Chapter 1 maintains remarkable tension, methodically building suspense as Bhagwat connects seemingly isolated disappearances into a pattern. The investigation unfolds with procedural precision, avoiding thriller clichés in favor of realistic police work—witness interviews, forensic analysis, and dogged determination. Shere demonstrates confidence in his material, trusting the story’s inherent darkness rather than relying on jump scares or gratuitous violence.
Where the Film Falters: A Disappointing Climax
Despite its strong foundation, Bhagwat Chapter 1 stumbles significantly in its final act. India Forums observed: “Once the central mystery reveals itself, the film loses momentum, trading its taut thriller energy for a courtroom sequence that feels anticlimactic after such meticulous buildup.” After investing viewers in Bhagwat’s pursuit of justice, the film shifts gears into a legal drama that deflates the tension rather than providing cathartic resolution.
The climax lacks the confrontation viewers anticipate—there’s no intense face-off between Bhagwat and the killer, no powerful monologue explaining motivations, no emotional reckoning with the victims’ families. Times of India noted: “It’s a frustrating watch in some ways, a film that does so much right in its first two acts that you can’t help but wish it had stuck the landing.” The ending feels rushed and incomplete, as if the filmmakers ran out of narrative steam precisely when they needed it most.
Themes and Social Commentary
Beyond its thriller mechanics, Bhagwat Chapter 1 offers sharp social commentary on gender violence, police corruption, and the casual misogyny embedded in Indian small-town culture. The film doesn’t shy from depicting how missing girls are dismissed based on their appearance, caste, or perceived moral character. The initial police indifference to Poonam’s disappearance—chalking it up to voluntary elopement despite evidence to the contrary—reflects systemic failures that allow predators to operate with impunity.
The film also examines how communities protect their image at the expense of truth. Local authorities initially resist Bhagwat’s investigation, preferring to maintain the fiction of safety rather than confront uncomfortable realities. This critique of institutional complicity adds depth to what could have been a straightforward serial killer narrative, grounding the horror in recognizable social dysfunction.
Comparison to Similar Films
Bhagwat Chapter 1 invites comparisons to recent Indian crime thrillers like Sector 36 (2024) and series like Asur. Like those projects, it adopts a grounded, procedural approach to dark subject matter, eschewing Bollywood gloss for gritty realism. However, unlike Sector 36‘s unrelenting bleakness or Asur‘s mythological framework, Bhagwat attempts to balance its darkness with moments of humanity and hope—a choice that both humanizes the narrative and occasionally undercuts its tension.
The film’s serial killer investigation also recalls international procedurals like Mindhunter and Korean thrillers such as Memories of Murder, though it lacks the psychological depth of the former and the formal brilliance of the latter. What distinguishes Bhagwat is its specificity to Indian small-town dynamics and its focus on systemic failures rather than individual pathology.
Final Verdict: Worth Watching Despite Flaws
Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas is a compelling crime thriller elevated by exceptional performances and strong direction in its first two-thirds. Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar deliver career-best work, and Akshay Shere demonstrates genuine filmmaking skill in building atmosphere and tension. The film’s realistic portrayal of small-town India, its social commentary, and its procedural approach distinguish it from typical Bollywood thrillers.
However, the underwhelming climax prevents it from achieving greatness. Viewers seeking a tightly plotted mystery with satisfying resolution may leave disappointed, while those who appreciate character work, atmosphere, and social critique will find much to admire. The “Chapter 1” in the title suggests this is intended as a franchise starter—if future installments address the narrative weaknesses while maintaining the strengths, this could become a significant Indian crime series.
Where to Watch and Additional Information
Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas is streaming exclusively on ZEE5 as of October 17, 2025. The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes and is available in Hindi with subtitles. It received a direct-to-OTT release without a theatrical run.
Watch the official trailer here: Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas Official Trailer
For fans of crime thrillers, procedural dramas, and character-driven narratives, Bhagwat Chapter 1 offers enough quality to justify the watch despite its flawed ending. The performances alone make it worthwhile, and it establishes a promising foundation for what could become an important Indian crime franchise.
