Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas review - Jitendra Kumar is chilling, but Arshad Warsi's serial killer hunt is a familiar demon standing in Dahaad's shadow

Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas story –

Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi) is a seasoned but flawed police officer who is transferred to the small town of Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh. He struggles with his personal problems and a reputation for violent outbursts. As soon as he arrives, he begins investigating the disappearance of a girl named Poonam, and his inquiry reveals a disturbing pattern of girl disappearances in the region. Structured around procedure, his search uncovers a larger, more organised criminal enterprise, potentially linked to a local prostitution racket.

The story takes a sinister turn when Bhagwat meets Sameer (Jitendra Kumar), a college lecturer who appears ordinary and charming on the outside but conceals a complicated, darker side and disturbing secrets. A tense, psychological game of cat-and-mouse develops between the world-weary cop and the extremely strategic predator as Bhagwat tenaciously strives to establish connections and expose the perpetrator. The central struggle raises questions about right and wrong, ethics, and the fight against one's own personal "raakshas" (monsters).

Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas review -

The reality of crime against women will likely persist, ensuring it remains a relevant topic in film. We've seen films and series about predators and serial killers who target women, often without any specific backstory, making women feel unsafe. Just two years ago, Vijay Varma played a serial killer in Dahaad who lured young women on the pretext of marriage, convinced them to elope, and eventually killed them with cyanide poisoning. The women's bodies were then found in public bathrooms, eventually making Sonakshi Sinha's character realise that a serial killer was at work.

ALSO READ: Bhagwat teaser: Jitendra Kumar sheds his acclaimed persona for dark role opposite Arshad Warsi's determined inspector

After watching Dahaad and finding it quite impressive, the series has remained firmly on my mind. Thus, the film version titled Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas did not surprise me at all.

The film, which is about two hours long, shows how a cop with anger issues—the titular character, Vishwas Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi)—arrives in a small town and quickly realises he has been assigned a very complicated case. Thus begins his hunt for a predator, who he initially believes traps girls and forces them into prostitution.

As the film progresses, we are immediately introduced to the other main character, Sameer (Jitendra Kumar), who begins a love story with a girl named Meera (Ayesha Kaduskar). Understanding why he is introduced is easy, but Bhagwat struggles to approach him.

The film takes a very dark and gloomy approach while uncovering the truths, and this approach makes the film less thrilling, given that the story is already well-established and not much suspense needs to unravel. Although initially presented as an open-and-shut case, Bhagwat tries very effectively to build tension by bringing in courtroom drama to slightly stretch the film and conclude the case.

However, while doing so, the film's progression steadily dips, making it almost entirely unthrilling, if that was the expected genre. The film lacks depth and originality in both its concept and execution. As the case moves forward, you can see the eventual suspense coming. The story, penned by Bhavini Bheda and directed by Akshay Shere, will leave you unsatisfied by the end; the convenient route appears to have been a deliberate move.

There are moments when you expect the film to get better with twists or might take a longer time to nab the serial killer. However, everything is presented in excellent detail but within a short timeframe, leaving no opportunity for the audience to feel relief that the criminal has been caught and only awaits execution.

We can credit Jitendra Kumar for his well-explored menacing attitude. The actor, known for playing innocent characters in several series, brings that same trope to this role as well. But with that innocence, he makes himself creepier and scarier, so to speak. His character is shown with no remorse, and he casually tells his story without leading to any confusion. Regarding performances, Kumar certainly makes a strong impression, as this character sketch aligns well with his established style. Although he does not play a villain in the traditional sense, he leaves an impressive mark in this aspect.

Warsi, on the other hand, has maintained a balance of playing both darker and comic roles in his career. After Asur, the actor is here headlining the film, which he does effortlessly. However, even though there is a backstory for his character, I wish more time had been spent exploring it; such an effort probably would have elevated the film slightly.

Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas presents a demon that doesn't scream loudly but is hidden in plain clothes; who knows, even if caught, it's not a problem for him. Once that demon is unleashed, it can’t step back but justifies its actions because the "raakshas" born is always with a purpose and not with any regrets.

Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas verdict -

While Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi) tries to slay the 'raakshas' (monster) preying on Robertsganj, the film itself is a familiar demon. Despite a compelling performance from Jitendra Kumar, whose quiet menace truly 'kills' it, the plot feels like a rerun—less a fresh hunt and more a walk-through. It lacks the 'depth' to surprise and ultimately feels like a chapter we've already 'read' before.

Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas willl be available to stream on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) beginning October 17, 2025.