Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer ‘Raat Akeeli Hai – The Bansa Murders’ is out on OTT. The film depicts a sensational murder in a rich family and the layers attached to it. The special thing is that it is a sequel to the 2020 hit film ‘Raat Akeli Hai’ but it is made in such a way that it is not necessary to watch the first film. Now the question is, is it worth 2 hours 15 minutes of your time, or will it be a waste of time? The film moves slowly but deeply, gradually drawing the audience into its dark world. It is not just a murder mystery, but an exploration of the human psyche, power, class divisions, relationships and truths of society that are often hidden behind silence. Does the film live up to the expectations and touch the benchmark set by itself in the first part? Let’s find out.
Netflix’s Night is Lonely: The Bansal Murders – Story
The story begins with the Bansal family, a very rich and influential family that owns a large media company. One night, strange events occur in the Bansal palace: crows die after being poisoned in the water, and the same night several members of the family are found dead in their locked rooms. Fear and silence spread throughout the mansion, and every surviving family member seems to be hiding some secret.
Inspector Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is given the responsibility of investigating this mass murder. Initially the case seems straightforward to the police. There is pressure from the system to solve the case quickly, and suspicion falls on a family member who is addicted to drugs. But Jethil does not believe this is the right direction. Their experience and intuition make them realize time and again that matters are more complicated than they appear.
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Later, the allegations started moving towards the victim’s second wife, who allegedly had an affair with the victim’s nephew. Meanwhile, the suspicion also increased on one MLA. As the investigation progresses, the thinnest layers of the Bansal family begin to peel away. Thoughts hidden behind the palace walls, secrets buried for years, abuse of power and fear begin to surface. The film also shows how powerful people try to suppress the truth, and how governance sometimes becomes a part of this game. Although the film raises many questions, it does not directly answer all of them till the end, leaving the audience to ponder.
Netflix’s Night is Lonely: The Bansal Murders – Acting
The biggest strength of the film is undoubtedly Nawazuddin Siddiqui. In the role of Inspector Jatil Yadav, he does not look like an ideal or superhero police officer. He appears to be an ordinary man struggling with his work as well as his personal frustration and loneliness. Nawazuddin’s acting is very restrained, neither too much drama nor too much emotion. The complexity of the character is clearly seen through his eyes, expressions and calm dialogue delivery. It would not be wrong to say that Nawazuddin has once again proved that he is an expert in playing difficult characters with ease.
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Radhika Apte looks mysterious and impressive in her role. His character plays an important role in the story. She appears only for a short time, but even during that time she gives a strong performance. Ella Arun, who plays Nawazuddin’s mother, impresses with her rustic style even in a small role.
Although Tigmanshu Dhulia’s role is underutilized, and Shweta Tripathi also gets less screen time, none of the supporting actors leave any slack in their efforts. Although her roles are small, her acting remains powerful.