Karan Johar's Emotional Review of Prime Video's Raakh

Karan Johar's Digital Detox Interrupted by Raakh

Karan Johar recently announced his intention to take a break from Instagram for a digital detox. However, he couldn't resist sharing his thoughts on Prime Video's Raakh, a gripping eight-episode series inspired by the harrowing true events of the 1978 Ranga-Billa case. The director, aged 54, felt compelled to post a detailed review on Instagram, which quickly gained traction. In his review, he described Raakh as “gut-wrenching” and expressed how it left him feeling “deeply disturbed” as a parent and a member of society.

Karan Johar's Insights on Raakh

Johar had recently made headlines for unfollowing numerous accounts on Instagram as part of his detox plan, but Raakh changed his course. After binge-watching the finale at midnight, he took to Instagram to share, “I thought I was successfully taking a break until I encountered this gut-wrenching series and felt the urge to express my feelings.” He remarked on the unsettling nature of the series, stating, “Raakh delves into the darkest aspects of humanity,” and emphasized that “no justification or childhood trauma can excuse succumbing to one’s inner demons,” he stated.

While discussing the series' craftsmanship, he gave a “special chef's kiss” to director Prosit Roy for his “non-manipulative emotional portrayal.” However, his highest praise was reserved for Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir, whom he described as delivering “career-defining” performances. “Their depiction of heartbroken parents facing unimaginable tragedy left me in awe… they truly embodied their roles, and I commend their performances… they are OUTSTANDING! BRAVO!!!” he exclaimed, encouraging viewers to “watch their performances to feel what I experienced.” Karan also acknowledged Ali Fazal for his “exceptional and solid work” and highlighted Akash Makhija and Ramandeep Yadav for their “brilliant portrayals,” concluding by calling Raakh “devastating yet brilliant.”

Overview of Raakh

Available on Prime Video, Raakh is an eight-episode crime drama set in 1970s Delhi, which debuted on June 12. The series is based on the tragic Ranga-Billa case, one of India's most notorious criminal incidents, involving the abduction and murder of siblings Geeta Chopra, 16, and Sanjay Chopra, 14, in August 1978 while they were en route to an All India Radio event.

The case sparked nationwide outrage and resulted in the conviction and execution of the perpetrators, Kuljeet Singh and Jasbir Singh, in 1982. In the series, Ali Fazal portrays Sub-Inspector Jayprakash, a police officer whose investigation into the case becomes increasingly grim with each discovery. Directed by Prosit Roy and created by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket, the series is produced by Endemol Shine India in collaboration with BhaDiPa.