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Raakh Trailer: Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre Lead a Gripping Investigative Thriller Set in the 70s
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Raakh Trailer: Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre Lead a Gripping Investigative Thriller Set in the 70s

Prime Video has released the second trailer for its upcoming original series, Raakh. This investigative thriller is set to premiere exclusively on the platform in Hindi across India and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide on June 12.

 

Produced by Deepak Dhar, Rishi Negi, Mrinalini Jain, and Shyam Rathi under the banner of Endemol Shine India, in association with BhaDiPa, Raakh is a fictional procedural thriller. Beyond its crime-focused narrative, the series serves as a raw, emotionally charged character study exploring themes of grief, morality, and human depravity. The story is set in the late 1970s and follows a shocking crime that triggers a nationwide manhunt, highlighting the complex collision between crime and justice.

The newly released trailer sets a tense tone, beginning with a striking close-up of a pair of eyes and a maniacal laugh. The visuals introduce viewers to the characters of Babu (Akash Makhija) and Rajjo (Ramandeep Yadav). Through sharp flashes of their crimes, the trailer provides insight into their troubled pasts and the forces that shaped their perspectives. Parallel to this, the story follows SI Jayprakash, played by Ali Fazal, as he races against time to stop the pair. The trailer promises a high-stakes battle between a determined police officer and two formidable adversaries.

 

The series is directed and executive produced by Prosit Roy. It was created, written, and co-directed by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket, with dialogues written by Ayush Trivedi. The cast features Sonali Bendre, Ali Fazal, and Aamir Bashir in lead roles, supported by Akash Makhija, Ramandeep Yadav, Divya Sharma, Vivaan Sharma, Anshul Chauhan, Rakesh Bedi, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya.

 

Discussing the vision behind the series, creators, writers, and co-directors Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket said, “At the end of the day, what stays with you from great crime stories is rarely just the crime or the investigation. You remember the deeply human emotions. With Raakh, we wanted audiences to explore emotional spaces they wouldn’t expect from a crime thriller, because crime is not the only thing that happens in a crime story, it’s also about everything else it leaves in its wake. From the very beginning, we weren’t interested in building a world that revolved solely around the mystery. We wanted to create a holistic emotional landscape around it, one that explored grief, guilt, love, anger, and the ways in which a single act can ripple through the lives of everyone it touches. For us, the most compelling question wasn’t just ‘Who did it?’, but ‘What does this do to the people left behind?’”


Also Read: Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir Announced As Leads in Crime Thriller Raakh

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Shah Rukh Khan Left Awestruck After Watching Alia Bhatt And Bobby Deols Alpha Teaser
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Shah Rukh Khan Left Awestruck After Watching Alia Bhatt And Bobby Deols Alpha Teaser

The official teaser for Alpha, the latest addition to Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, was released today, creating excitement among fans and industry peers alike. Joining the chorus of appreciation was Shah Rukh Khan, who took to his Instagram story to share his thoughts on the teaser.

 

Shah Rukh, who is an integral part of the spy universe himself through his 2023 blockbuster Pathaan, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. Pathaan, which marked his return to the big screen after a five-year hiatus, also starred Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in key roles. The spy universe also consists of films like War, Pathaan, Tiger 3, War 2 which stars superstars like Shah Rukh Khan himself alongside the likes of Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

 Alia Bhatt Bobby Deol Alpha

Sharing the teaser, Shah Rukh wrote a wholesome note for the cast. Praising the lead actors, he said, “Well done Alia, in years from breaking hearts and now to breaking bones your skill set keeps expanding. May Alpha win hearts and still leave some villains standing for the sequel. Go get them Sigma girl!” He also extended his appreciation to Bobby Deol, who is seen in the teaser. Addressing him as “Lord Bobby”, Shah Rukh wrote, ” Lord Bobby….you are so good when you are bad!!! Big hug.” He concluded his message by sending his best wishes to the director and the entire team, adding, “And all the best to Shiv and his team.”

 

The teaser also received praise from the fans who expressed their excitement on seeing Alia’s ruthless avatar. Directed by Shiv Rawail and produced by Yash Raj Films, Alpha features a stellar cast including Alia Bhatt, Bobby Deol, Sharvari, and Anil Kapoor. Notably, the film holds an important place in the YRF Spy Universe as the first female-led story. The film will have a theatrical release on July 3.


Also Read: Karan Johar Breaks Silence on Unfollowing SRK, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and More on Instagram

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Farewell Bharathiraja
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Farewell Bharathiraja

Bharathiraja, the visionary filmmaker who transformed the landscape of Tamil cinema by taking it out of the confines of studio sets and into the heart of rural India, has passed away at the age of 84. With his death, Indian cinema loses one of its most influential storytellers — a director whose films forever altered the way villages, ordinary people and everyday emotions were portrayed on screen.

Born Chinnasaamy Periyamaya Thevar in Allinagaram near Theni, Bharathiraja brought to cinema an authenticity that stemmed from lived experience. Before his arrival, villages in Tamil films often existed as stylised backdrops. Bharathiraja changed that with his groundbreaking debut, 16 Vayathinile (1977), a film that introduced audiences to a raw, earthy and emotionally truthful vision of rural life. Starring Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Sridevi, it became a landmark in Indian cinema and heralded a new era of realistic filmmaking.

Though often described as the filmmaker who brought the village to the screen, Bharathiraja’s talents extended far beyond rural dramas. He moved effortlessly between genres, directing acclaimed works such as Sigappu Rojakkal, Tik Tik Tik, Mudhal Mariyathai, Alaigal Oivathillai and Oru Kaidhiyin Diary. His films combined emotional depth with social observation, while his visual style, rooted in natural landscapes, became instantly recognisable.

His influence also extended to Hindi cinema. In 1979, he directed Solva Sawan, the Hindi remake of 16 Vayathinile, which marked Sridevi’s debut as a leading lady in Hindi films. He later directed Lovers (1983), adapting his own Tamil classic Alaigal Oivathillai for Hindi audiences. Bharathiraja also remade his psychological thriller Sigappu Rojakkal as the Hindi film Red Rose (1980), introducing North Indian viewers to one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated thrillers. He also directed Sunny Deol in Saveray Wali Gaadi (1985). Decades later, he returned to Hindi filmmaking with Final Cut of Director (2016, starring Nana Patekar and Arjun Sarja.

Throughout his career, Bharathiraja displayed an extraordinary eye for talent. He helped launch and shape the careers of numerous actors and technicians, while his collaborations with composer Ilaiyaraaja produced some of the most enduring moments in South Indian cinema. Equally significant was his portrayal of women. His female characters were often complex, resilient and emotionally rich, occupying the centre of stories rather than merely supporting them.

Recognition followed naturally. Bharathiraja received six National Film Awards and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2004 for his contribution to the arts. Yet his greatest achievement lies in the generations of filmmakers he inspired and the cinematic language he helped create. He also won Filmfare Awards for films like Sigappu Rojakkal, Vedham Pudhithu and Karuthamma.

In later years, he reinvented himself as a character actor, delivering memorable performances in films such as Aayutha Ezhuthu, Pandianadu, Thiruchitrambalam and Maharaja. Audiences embraced him once again, this time in front of the camera.

For nearly five decades, Bharathiraja chronicled the dreams, heartbreaks and aspirations of ordinary people with uncommon compassion. He showed that the lives of villagers could possess the grandeur of epic drama and the intimacy of poetry.

Bharathiraja died of age-related complications on June 10, 2026. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will endure in every filmmaker who chooses authenticity over artifice and in every story that finds beauty in the soil from which it springs.

Top Tamil films of Bharathiraja:

Farewell Bharathiraja Farewell

16 Vayathinile (1977)
Bharathiraja’s debut feature and a milestone in Tamil cinema, portraying rural life with raw realism and introducing stars like Kamal Haasan and Sridevi.

 

Farewell Bharathiraja Farewell

Sigappu Rojakkal (1978)
A psychological thriller and notable departure from his rural dramas, exploring crime and suspense in an urban setting. 

Farewell Bharathiraja Farewell

Alaigal Oivathillai (1981)
A romantic drama exploring young love and family opposition, praised for performances and Bharathiraja’s direction of rustic settings 

 

Farewell Bharathiraja Farewell

Muthal Mariyathai (1985)
A sensitive love story between a village chief and a schoolteacher, acclaimed for its lyrical visual style and emotional depth

 

Diary

Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985)
The revenge thriller starred Kamal Haasan in dual roles and had him portraying both a prisoner and his police inspector son. The film’s twists and turns kept the audience spellbound.

 

Kavithaigal

Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986)
A poetic tale set in coastal villages emphasizing friendship, love, and human values, reflecting Bharathiraja’s rural storytelling


 

 

Kavithaigal

Vedham Pudhidhu (1987)
A socially relevant film addressing caste and community prejudices, awarded for its impactful narrative on social issues

Kavithaigal

Karuththamma (1994)
Critically acclaimed for its social commentary on female infanticide and the plight of women in rural India.

 

Kavithaigal

Pudhu Vasantham (1990)
A narrative of friendship, love, and youth in a rural-urban backdrop, marking Bharathiraja’s versatility in addressing social themes


Kavithaigal

Taj Mahal (1999)
Starring Bharathiraja’s son in a unique love story, blending cinematic aesthetics with contemporary themes

Also Read: Tamil Filmmaker Bharathiraja Dies at 84

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