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Five years after the critical success of Raat Akeli Hai (2020), director Honey Trehan and actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui reunite for a spiritual sequel, The Bansal Murders, which premiered on Netflix on December 19, 2025.1
The Premise: A Brutal Massacre
Unlike the first film, which centered on the death of a single patriarch, the sequel raises the stakes with a mass murder.2
- The Crime: Almost the entire influential Bansal family is found dead overnight in their Lucknow mansion, their throats slit in a manner that initially appears ritualistic.3
- The Investigator: Inspector Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) returns with his trademark grit and suspicion.4 Despite immense pressure from his superiors to close the case quickly, Yadav’s instincts tell him the “obvious” suspects are mere red herrings.
Cast and Standout Performances
The film features a formidable ensemble cast that adds weight to its dark, noir atmosphere:5
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Reprises his role as the morally complex, sharp-eyed Jatil Yadav.6
- Revathi: Joins the franchise as Panicker, a no-nonsense, meticulous forensic expert who provides a scientific anchor to the investigation.7
- Chitrangda Singh: Plays Meera, the primary survivor of the massacre, whose traumatic testimony is central to the plot.8
- Deepti Naval: Delivers an eerie performance as Guru Maa, a mysterious religious cult leader who held the Bansal family in her thrall.9
- Radhika Apte: Makes a special appearance, reprising her role as Radha from the first film.
What Works and What Doesn’t
| Pros | Cons |
| Atmospheric Tension: The film excels in building an eerie, unsettling mood from the first frame. | Pacing Issues: At 136 minutes, some critics felt the middle act drags, especially with the “godwoman” subplot. |
| Standalone Narrative: You don’t need to have seen the first film to follow this story. | Overcrowded Cast: The sheer number of suspects and family members can occasionally lead to confusion. |
| Social Commentary: The script weaves in themes of class hierarchy, power, and even subtle nods to current events like the AQI crisis. | Plot Convenience: Some resolutions rely on coincidental clues rather than pure investigative work. |
Verdict: 3/5 Stars
Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders is a “strictly serviceable” to “outstanding” whodunit depending on your appetite for slow-burn thrillers. While it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own ambition, it remains a compelling watch thanks to Nawazuddin’s quiet intensity and a neatly resolved climax.