The world of Indian streaming is set to witness a gripping new clash of characters as Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar come together for Bhagwat – Chapter One: Raakshas, premiering on October 17 on ZEE5 Global. The series, directed by Akshay Shere, dives into the darkness of human nature through a story that blurs the boundaries between crime, faith, and morality.
Set in the small town of Robertsganj in Uttar Pradesh, Bhagwat unfolds with the disappearance of a young woman named Poonam. What begins as a routine investigation soon takes a disturbing turn, revealing layers of exploitation, hidden networks, and moral compromises that run deep beneath the town’s quiet surface.
At the centre of this investigation is Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat, played by Arshad Warsi, a veteran police officer whose years in the force have made him both cynical and empathetic.
The series pits him against Sameer, a seemingly calm college professor portrayed by Jitendra Kumar. Behind his composed manner lies a complex personality, one that slowly unravels as the investigation draws him into its web.
The collision between Bhagwat and Sameer forms the psychological core of the story, transforming a crime case into a study of conscience, guilt, and the thin line between order and chaos.
Arshad Warsi, known for his ability to balance intensity with emotional depth, returns to serious drama in a role that portrays a man wrestling with both his duty and his inner turmoil. Jitendra Kumar, on the other hand, takes on a darker and more unpredictable character than audiences have seen from him before, bringing a sense of unease and restraint to the screen.
Director Akshay Shere brings a grounded approach to storytelling, using real locations in Uttar Pradesh to heighten the sense of realism. The show avoids the gloss often seen in thrillers and instead focuses on atmosphere and detail — dusty police stations, narrow streets, and the uneasy quiet of small-town life. Every frame contributes to the slow-building tension that defines Bhagwat.
Produced by Jio Studios, Baweja Studios, and Dog n Bone Pictures, the series marks the first chapter of a planned anthology exploring human psychology through the eyes of Inspector Bhagwat. Each chapter is expected to take up a new case, linked by recurring themes of morality, faith, and the hidden motivations that drive human behaviour.
With its mix of crime, realism, and psychological depth, Bhagwat – Chapter One: Raakshas aims to move beyond the conventional thriller format. The real story lies not in the crime itself, but in the unraveling of the people caught within it — a layered confrontation between two minds, two moralities, and two worlds that refuse to remain separate.
