Mumbai, Oct 16, 2025: Stories from the world of crime have often inspired films. Some movies create awareness, while others just tell the story and move on. The film Bhagwat Chapter One: Rakshasa, released on ZEE5, is also based on real events.

The story begins in Robertsganj in 2009. Poonam Mishra goes missing and does not return home. Her family believes that a boy from another religion has eloped with her. They file a complaint at the police station. The case soon takes a political turn, leading to riots in the city. ACP Vishwas Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi) is then transferred from Lucknow to Robertsganj to handle the situation.

Arshad-Jitendra Shine in a Gripping Yet Flawed Thriller

He has a past. He gets angry easily and beats up criminals. After reaching Robertsganj, he begins investigating Poonam’s case. When he checks phone records, he finds that many girls have gone missing in a similar way. All of them are linked to Professor Sameer, also known as Rajkumar (Jitendra Kumar).

A Story That Shakes You Despite Its Flaws

The film Bhagwat Chapter One: Rakshasa begins and ends with powerful lines — “Telling the truth is essential to keep it alive,” and “With courage and effort, the monster can be defeated.” These lines reflect the film’s core message and highlight how dangerous blind love can be. However, the story struggles to stay strong till the end. Some characters feel incomplete, leaving many questions in the viewer’s mind.

The way Sameer, after reading a few books, defends himself in court against a professional lawyer feels unrealistic. The film also doesn’t explore his past well or explain his crimes. The lack of CCTV cameras in the 2009 setup, or the family not tracking the missing girl’s phone, also feels odd.

Still, the story shocks viewers with its real-life inspiration — showing how some girls fall into dangerous traps. The ending makes you want to know whether Sameer gets punished, and that answer is satisfying.

Director Akshay Shere keeps the story engaging despite its weak points. Hemal Kothari’s editing keeps the film short and focused, and Amogh Deshpande’s camera work beautifully captures the small-town setting.

Strong Performances

Arshad Warsi once again proves his acting strength after Asur, showing his serious side. Jitendra Kumar breaks free from his Panchayat and Kota Factory image and impresses with his intense role. Ayesha Kaduskar also delivers a fine performance in her short screen time.