Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders — A Review of Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Return as Jatil Yadav

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.

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