Raakh Review: Dark Crime Drama That Feels Good but Cold

by Arti · Published 14 June 2026 · Updated 13 June 2026

I recently watched Raakh, the new crime thriller series that has created a lot of discussion because of its dark subject and connection to one of India’s most shocking crime cases. After finish this series, I can say Raakh has many strong parts that deserve praise, but at the same time, it leaves a strange feeling because it never fully connects on an emotional level.

The series tries to present a disturbing story with seriousness and honesty. It has good actors, a realistic setting, and a dark atmosphere that fits the story well. But despite all these positives, I felt something important was missing. The show remains good, but it never becomes truly unforgettable.

A Story Inspired by a Horrific Real Crime

One of the biggest reasons why Raakh catches attention is its connection with the infamous 1978 Ranga-Billa case, one of India’s most horrifying criminal incidents. That case shocked the entire country and changed the way people looked at safety and crime during that period.

The series takes inspiration from this real event and builds its own fictional crime story around it. Right from the first episode, the show creates a disturbing and uncomfortable mood. It does not try to make crime look glamorous. Instead, it presents the dark reality in a serious manner.

I liked the fact that the makers treated such a sensitive subject with maturity. The story feels heavy from start to finish, and viewers understand quickly that this is not light entertainment.

The Old Delhi Setting Feels Real

One of the best things I noticed while watching Raakh was its recreation of Delhi in the late 1970s. The production team has clearly worked hard to bring that period alive.

The streets, vehicles, police stations, houses, clothing, and even the overall mood feel authentic. It really takes viewers back in time and helps build the dark atmosphere the story needs.

The old Delhi setup adds an extra layer to the series because crime stories often depend heavily on environment. Here, the city almost feels like an important character itself.

This was easily one of the strongest aspects of the show for me.

Ali Fazal Delivers a Strong Performance

Ali Fazal plays the central police officer in the story, and I genuinely liked his performance. He handles the role with seriousness and intensity.

His character carries responsibility, pressure, and determination, and he manages to show all these emotions in a believable way. He does not overact, which works well for a dark crime drama like this.

There are many scenes where his silent expressions speak more than dialogues. That made his performance feel natural.

I feel this is one of his better performances in recent years.

Sonali Bendre Makes a Solid Return

Another pleasant surprise in Raakh is Sonali Bendre. Many viewers felt excited to see her return, and I think she does a very respectable job.

She brings maturity and emotional depth whenever she appears on screen. Her role may not dominate every episode, but her presence adds strength to the narrative.

She looks comfortable in the character and proves that experience often matters more than screen time.

Her comeback definitely leaves a positive impression.

Supporting Cast Adds Value

Apart from the main leads, actors like Aamir Bashir and Akash Makhija also perform very well.

Sometimes crime dramas become too dependent on lead actors, but Raakh avoids that mistake. Side characters feel believable and important to the story.

Each actor understands the serious tone of the show and performs with control. That helps maintain consistency throughout the series.

I appreciated the fact that even smaller roles never felt weak or unnecessary.

Slow Pace May Test Patience

Although the story has quality, I personally felt the pace could have been better.

The investigation moves slowly, and certain episodes stretch longer than needed. The creators clearly wanted a slow-burn crime drama, but some viewers may struggle with patience.

There were moments where I expected stronger momentum, but the narrative takes too much time before major developments arrive.

Slow storytelling can work when emotional connection stays strong. Unfortunately, here the pace sometimes creates distance between viewers and characters.

This became one of my biggest problems with the show.

Emotional Connection Feels Weak

The biggest weakness of Raakh for me was emotional distance.

Even though terrible events happen and the subject matter feels disturbing, I never felt deeply connected to the characters. I understood what happened, but I rarely felt emotionally invested.

The show focuses heavily on atmosphere and realism, but character development sometimes feels limited.

Because of this, several dramatic scenes fail to leave long-term impact.

This is probably why many critics describe the show as “good but distant.”

I completely understand that opinion after watch the full series.

Violence Feels Very Heavy

Viewers should know that Raakh is not easy entertainment.

The show contains disturbing violence, brutal scenes, and dark moments that can feel uncomfortable. The makers clearly wanted realism, but at certain points I felt the brutality became stronger than the storytelling itself.

Instead of emotional shock, some scenes simply feel harsh.

This may work for viewers who enjoy dark crime dramas, but casual audiences may find the series difficult to watch.

It definitely demands mental preparation.

Final Thoughts After Watching Raakh

After complete watch, I can say Raakh is a well-made crime thriller with strong performances and excellent production quality.

The old Delhi setting looks fantastic, Ali Fazal performs with intensity, Sonali Bendre makes a memorable return, and the real crime inspiration gives weight to the story.

But the slow pace and weak emotional connection stop the series from becoming truly great.

I respect what the makers tried to do, and I appreciate the serious treatment of such a disturbing subject. Still, I expected stronger impact by the final episode.

This is a solid show for people who enjoy dark and realistic crime stories, but viewers who prefer fast thrillers may feel disappointed.