Karan Johar Calls Raakh ‘Gut-Wrenching’ And ‘Outstanding’, Praises Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre And Entire Team

Filmmaker Karan Johar has heaped praise on the newly released investigative crime thriller series Raakh, describing it as an emotionally disturbing yet exceptionally crafted show that left a lasting impact on him.

Inspired by the horrifying 1978 Ranga-Billa case, the series explores the kidnapping and murder of siblings Geeta and Sanjay Chopra, one of India’s most shocking criminal cases. Since its release on Prime Video, Raakh has generated significant attention for its intense storytelling and emotionally charged performances.

After binge-watching the series, Karan Johar took to social media in the early hours of the morning to express his reaction. In a heartfelt and emotional note, the filmmaker admitted that the final episode deeply disturbed him both as a parent and as a human being.

Karan wrote that he had initially planned to stay away from social media but felt compelled to share his thoughts after watching the show. He described Raakh as a “gut-wrenching” experience that explores the darkest side of humanity without relying on emotional manipulation.

The filmmaker particularly applauded director Prosit Roy for his gripping storytelling style and praised the makers for handling such sensitive material with maturity and restraint. According to Karan, the show’s emotional depth and realistic portrayal made it difficult for him to recover from the experience even after finishing the series.

However, what impressed him the most were the performances delivered by the cast, especially Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir, who portray grief-stricken parents dealing with unimaginable tragedy.

Karan called their performances “career-defining” and said the duo completely transformed into their characters. He noted that their portrayal of pain and helplessness left him awestruck and emotionally shattered.

The filmmaker also praised Ali Fazal for his restrained and impactful performance as SI Jayprakash, describing his work as “solid” and exceptional. Ali’s character reportedly breaks away from the traditional macho-cop stereotype often seen in crime thrillers.

Apart from the lead cast, Karan also acknowledged actors Akash Makhija and Ramandeep Yadav for their strong performances. He further appreciated the efforts of the creative and production teams behind the series.

Ali Fazal later reshared Karan Johar’s note on social media and expressed gratitude for the appreciation. The actor said he woke up feeling overwhelmed after receiving such praise from someone he deeply admires in the industry.

Directed and executive produced by Prosit Roy, Raakh has been created, written and co-directed by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket. Alongside Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre and Aamir Bashir, the series also stars Divya Sharma, Vivaan Sharma, Anshul Chauhan, Rakesh Bedi, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in pivotal roles.

Streaming globally on Prime Video since June 12, Raakh is steadily emerging as one of the most talked-about Indian crime dramas of the year, with audiences and critics praising its intense storytelling and emotionally powerful performances.