Netflix's return to grace
In the lockdown period, OTT platforms have just been looking to push out a barrage of content which more often than not, turns out to be painfully forgettable and mediocre; to put it politely. In the recent onslaught of films and web series being pushed on as the next best thing, seldom did I find anything which even slightly struck my attention, until now.
In this sea of mediocrity, Raat Akeli hai, directed by the debutant Honey Trehan stands out like a ship made of gold. The world presented here is unforgiving, laden with greed, revenge, corruption, politics, and all the other unsavory elements that make a crime thriller such as this one, an absolute treat to watch.
Synopsis:
Thakur Raghubir Singh, a wealthy patriarch of a reputed family is murdered during the processions of his wedding. Shot and bludgeoned by his rifle, in his own home. All the family members are under the eye of suspicion. No one had heard or seen anything, out of the ordinary that day before chancing upon the dead body. Everyone, supposedly have their alibis sorted out.
The case lands in the lap of an earnest but stubborn cop Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who has a tendency to rub a lot of people the wrong way; not making a ton of friends. The case leads him to make some shocking discoveries about the family and its members. Thakur’s mistress, Radha (Radhika Apte) is considered to be the prime suspect but, things aren’t as crystal clear as they seem on the surface.
As the film progresses, the initial murder gets drowned out by the noise of other horrors that have been covered up throughout the years.
How’s the story?
The story will take us down a road, shrouded with darkness, and filled with violence. But we travel it regardless, putting our faith in the talent behind this film.
It forces you to abandon your base instincts and question yourself beyond that, to arrive at the truth.
The twists are unexpected, especially the ending. The mysterious aspect of the film is well-executed and makes you an integral part of the investigation, solving the case along with the protagonist.
The song, "Raat Akeli Hai" is a flirtatious love song, painting a very romanticized picture for night itself. The film is the exact opposite.
How are the Performances?
Arguably the best part of the film would be Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance as the no-nonsense cop Jatil Yadav, comfortably shouldering the weight as the lead actor. His character starts off being resolute on finding the truth but, slowly becomes frustrated with its reclusiveness. Nawaz masterfully depicts this change through his performance. His mother keeps pestering him to get married but, his rigid standards of an ideal wife have restrained his world view. His belief for what constitutes as decent of course changes, after he is assigned to this case, and helps broaden his skewed perspective. A small example of how well character development is handled in this film.
The movie can easily be touted as Radhika Apte’s homecoming (back to Netflix) with her stellar performance as Radha. She knows very well, when the character demands vulnerability and when she has to crank up the intensity. Both of those, Radhika does so effortlessly. Being paired up against Nawaz was the best casting decision the filmmakers could’ve made. The friction between their characters creates fire on-screen. Having both the lead positions filled up with actors of such a high caliber results in some of the best character moments and dialog exchange I have witnessed in films that have recently released.
The side characters are well conceptualized and bring their own uniqueness to the table. Aditya Srivastav (Abhijeet from CID) was very entertaining to watch as the antagonistic and corrupt MLA who becomes a thorn in the side of Jatil Yadav’s investigation.
Shivani Raghuvanshi has really come into her own as a remarkable actress ever since I first watched her performance in another prime exclusive, Made in Haven. She adds a new layer to her craft with this performance.
Shweta Tripathi and Tigmanshu Dhulia are always a treat to watch on screen. Even though they were delegated very little screentime in this film, the distinct personality they bring to every role, no matter how big or small, makes their characters unforgettable.
How’s the cinematography?
Another great aspect of the film would be the cinematography.
Most of the film’s scenes are shot during night time, doubling down in service of its Title. The scenes are deliberately kept pitch black with distinct light sources the only way to bring focus to the key elements. As can be seen in the opening shot of the movie, where a car is wading through the darkness, with nothing but headlights providing the relief of light. Similar visual language is noticeable in the later scenes as well, where the light from a match, a lamp, or a cigarette helps illuminate the frame.
The set design works in tandem with the cinematography to shape the world. The Thakur Haveli is a labyrinth of distinctly designed and secluded, closed spaces. The locations chosen to film the scenes outside the haveli resemble a maze, to invoke a sense of urgency and helplessness for the viewer.
This level of coherence and consistency is what I appreciate when it comes down to visuals. The film’s world is bleak and depressing with little hope to be found, the cinematographer and the set designer knows fully well how to capture this essence when the camera starts rolling.
How’s the direction?
Due credit must be given to the first time director Honey Trehan along with the writer, Smita Singh, for creating such a mentally stimulating and engaging piece. They take up the reins of this complex story and navigate through it with ease.
The film did stumble in certain aspects. Its as if after the climax, the pacing somehow became slightly uneven and scenes started to drag a bit. There are two songs in this film that add no value to it but, bring the story to a near halt. It honestly took me out of an otherwise super immersive experience.
The director hastened to tie up loose ends and because of that, I felt the pay off for some of the subplots was not as good as it should’ve been.
Final Thoughts:
The film is as haunting as it is engaging. It will engross you with its mysterious and horrifying plot and will challenge you to solve the case alongside Nawaz’s character.
The cinematography is definitely something worth singing high praises for, so are the characters and the performance by the illustrious actors.
The film does stumble after the climax but in my opinion, the good is able to wash away the bad. If you are a fan of thrillers, crime drams, murder mysteries, or just a fan of good movies and have a Netflix subscription; then Raat Akeli Hai is not to be missed.
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