Prime Video's 'Raakh': A Sensitive Portrayal of Crime and Resilience
Exploring the Depths of 'Raakh'
Prime Video's latest series, Raakh, has garnered acclaim for its thoughtful approach to a deeply unsettling real-life crime. Set against the backdrop of the notorious 1978 Ranga-Billa case, this eight-part thriller delves into the police investigation surrounding the abduction and murder of two teenagers, while also examining the mindset of the offenders. A notable creative decision was to avoid graphic depictions of the assault. In an exclusive interview with a media outlet, creator and writer Anusha Nandakumar shared insights into why the team chose to emphasize the victims' strength rather than portray their trauma explicitly.
Anusha Nandakumar Discusses the Creative Choices
Anusha clarified that there was a clear consensus among the writers about how to narrate the story of Raakh. She stated, "There was never any doubt about the narrative direction. It’s essential to focus on the emotional journey rather than the act itself." From the initial writing phases, the emphasis was on the resilience of the victims, Suman and Sahil. Anusha remarked, "We wanted to portray them with love, and we didn’t need to visualize the horrors they faced, as we already understand the gravity of the situation."
According to Anusha, depicting the assault would not have contributed meaningfully to the narrative. "Our focus was on their resilience, and we didn’t need to show the assault to convey that. This was our primary focus throughout the writing process," she explained.
Ensuring Villains Are Not Glorified
Anusha also addressed another significant concern: preventing the audience from sympathizing with the antagonists, Babu and Rajjo. She explained, "During the writing process, we debated this extensively. Our goal was to ensure that viewers wouldn’t leave the series thinking, 'Babu is cool, Rajjo is cool, I want to be like them.'" While the series does explore the daily lives and camaraderie of the two criminals, Anusha emphasized that these moments were carefully moderated. "We always intended for them to commit heinous acts, but we balanced their lighter moments with reminders of their true nature by having them engage in more despicable behavior," she added.
Watch the full interview here:
Overview of 'Raakh'
Raakh is a crime thriller set in 1978, now available for streaming on Prime Video. The series follows Sub-Inspector Jayprakash Jatav, portrayed by Ali Fazal, as he investigates the kidnapping and murder of two teenagers in Delhi. Drawing inspiration from the chilling Ranga-Billa case, the show depicts the nationwide manhunt and the disturbing backgrounds of the criminals, while addressing themes of violence, justice, and systemic failures. A recent review from a media outlet awarded it a 4-star rating.