Amazon Prime Video’s latest Hindi original series Raakh premiered on June 12, 2026, bringing one of India’s most chilling true-crime stories to the screen. The eight-episode investigative thriller, inspired by the infamous 1978 Billa-Ranga kidnapping and double murder case in Delhi, stars Ali Fazal as a determined sub-inspector piecing together the abduction and brutal killing of two young siblings.
Directed by Prosit Roy and produced by Banijay Asia under Deepak Dhar, Raakh has arrived to strong critical reception. The Sunday Guardian Live gave the series a 4 out of 5 rating, calling it a hard-hitting drama that finds its power in grief rather than mere mystery. The series also features Sonali Bendre in a commanding performance as Mona Arora, a mother trapped in agonizing denial over the fate of her children, alongside Aamir Bashir as the stoic Colonel Ashok Arora.
The real-life Billa-Ranga case shook Delhi in the late 1970s when two criminals kidnapped Geeta and Sanjay Chopra, children of a Naval officer, from a public park. The case became a landmark in Indian criminal history, leading to one of the fastest trials and executions the country had seen. Raakh dramatizes these events while exploring the emotional devastation inflicted on the victims’ family, a perspective that sets it apart from conventional true-crime adaptations. Much like Governor: The Silent Saviour, which recently explored India’s 1991 economic crisis through a deeply personal lens, Raakh proves that Hindi-language series are increasingly turning to history for compelling storytelling.
Veteran comedian Rakesh Bedi delivers a career-redefining dramatic turn in the series, shedding his comic persona for a role that showcases his range as a serious actor. Critics have noted that his performance is among the most surprising elements of the show, proving that established performers can reinvent themselves in the streaming era.
The series marks a significant moment for Sonali Bendre, who returned to acting after her well-documented battle with cancer. Her portrayal of a grieving mother has drawn particular praise, with Bollywood Hungama’s review describing the narrative as disturbing yet effective. Ali Fazal, who has built a reputation across both Bollywood and Hollywood, anchors the investigative thread of the story with measured intensity.
Prosit Roy, known for directing the horror film Pari starring Anushka Sharma, brings a distinctly atmospheric visual style to Raakh. The 1970s Delhi setting has been meticulously recreated, and Roy’s direction ensures that the period detail serves the emotional weight of the story rather than becoming a superficial backdrop. With streaming platforms investing heavily in Indian originals, as seen with Netflix’s Rana Naidu Season 2 announcement, Amazon Prime Video’s Raakh represents the platform’s continued commitment to premium Hindi-language content.
Producer Deepak Dhar of Banijay Asia has described Raakh as a taut thriller developed from an original concept, emphasizing that the creative team spent considerable time researching the historical case to ensure authenticity. The production values reflect this commitment, with the series shot across multiple locations in North India to capture the atmosphere of late-1970s Delhi.
Raakh joins a growing roster of Indian true-crime series that draw from real events to create gripping narratives. As Indian cinema and streaming content continues to diversify, with filmmakers across generations pushing creative boundaries, Raakh stands as evidence that audiences are ready for stories that confront uncomfortable chapters of the nation’s past. All eight episodes of Raakh are now streaming on Amazon Prime Video in India and select international markets.
