Cast – Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Shweta Tripathi, Ila Arun, Tigmanshu Dhuli
Plot
A rich and influential landlord gets murdered on the night of his second marriage. Inspector Jatil Yadav is called to investigate the murder. The whole plot revolves around the investigation which complicates when he finds links to other murders some time back.
Story
Jatil Yadav (Nawaz) is a Senior Inspector with UP Police, gets a call about a murder of Raghuveer Singh, who is an influential old landlord killed on the night of his second marriage. Jatil reaches the spot and takes the testimony of all the family members, along with the bride Radha (Netflix’s own Radhika Apte). But as in all the thrillers everything doesn’t add up.
Once Jatil starts the investigation the secrets start coming out, and the investigation starts getting linked with another murder in the family. Jatil also establishes links with MLA Munna Raja (Aditya Shrivastava – “Abhijeet from CID”), whose daughter is to be married to Raghubir’s nephew, and the collaboration of local SSP Tigmanshu with Munna Raja also doesn’t help Jatil’s case. During investigation another muder takes place and puts Jatil in a fix.
Along With this Jatil starts developing feelings for Radha, as the whole family is against her and think of her as the gold digger and the murderer. How Jatil then joins the dots, and whether or not he is able to find out the culprit forms the crux of the story.
Positive
Raat Akeli Hai Movie is well shot, with the sense of tension and suspense intact. The conversations between Nawaz and his mother (fantastic Ila Arun) are funny and realistic. The background score compliments the movie very well and adds to the tension. Performances from the cast (specially Nawaz) are top notch and add to the experience.
Negative
Film is dark and moves at a leisurely pace which loses the interest of audiences in some parts. Raat Akeli Hai Movie has a rustic feel which limits its reach as well. It could have been trimmed with a good 20-30 minutes.
Performances
It would be apt to say that Nawaz has carried the film on his shoulders. He is terrific as an honest cop with his UP ka Swag, or cute when he applies hidden fair and lovely. Ila Arun as his nagging mother, worried for his marriage is too good. Radhika Apte is ok. Rest all cast lends able support in their roles, mostly they appear when Nawaz questions them, but Nawaz as usual outshines everyone.
Standout Scenes/Dialogues
Nawaz’s interaction with Munna Raja or his altercation scene with his colleague on road are very good. Also, every scene with Ila and Nawaz adds immensely to humor of the otherwise dark film. Nawaz says –
Chaar din se paani ka pipe toota hai sab pade hue hain, abhi cable kata hota kranti aa jaati poore ilaake me.
Khot to tum nikaal aayin hamare naam me, Jatin se jatil bana aayin metric ke form me-
sums up his frustration of case and with his mother
Verdict
All in all Raat Akeli Hai is a very good one time watch. If you are a Nawazuddin fan then this can be a treat for you as the movie relies heavily on him and gives him ample screen time. On one hand the suspense and good background score adds to intrigue, the slow pace and a long runtime play a spoiler. Overall with a runtime of close to 100 minutes this could have hit a bullseye where it misses now.
Runtime: 2 hrs 29 mins
OTT: Netflix
