Netflix’s Gajab Raat, directed by Ritesh Shah and co-written by Neeraj Pandey, attempts to combine police corruption, a vaccine scam and a morally conflicted protagonist in a fast-paced thriller. However, despite its promising premise and Manoj Bajpayee’s compelling performance, the film struggles with weak writing, predictable twists and an unconvincing character transformation.
The film, previously titled Ghooskhor Pandat, follows Ajay Nirvet, played by Manoj Bajpayee, a corrupt sub-inspector who has spent two decades in the police force without progressing beyond his current position. More interested in making easy money than upholding the law, Ajay routinely exploits his position for personal gain.
His corruption extends to raids on hotels, where he uses the threat of police action to extract larger bribes. His strained marriage and questionable personal relationships further establish him as a deeply flawed character.
A Promising Mystery That Loses Momentum
The story takes an unexpected turn when a badly injured young woman jumps out of a moving car near Connaught Place. Ajay is assigned to investigate the case, which soon becomes more complicated when different individuals claiming to represent the CBI and the National Investigation Agency attempt to take control of the investigation.
An attempted murder at the hospital adds another layer of mystery, while the woman’s background reveals her ambition to become a journalist and challenge injustice.
The investigation eventually leads to a vaccine scam involving powerful figures within the country’s administrative machinery. The subject is relevant, highlighting how corruption can undermine institutions meant to protect the public.
However, the film fails to build sufficient suspense around the conspiracy. Although the plot moves quickly, several revelations lack impact, and the twists rarely generate the tension expected from a political thriller.
Manoj Bajpayee Is the Film’s Biggest Strength
Manoj Bajpayee delivers the film’s most convincing performance. He captures Ajay’s shameless greed, cynical attitude and confidence in manipulating the system, making the corrupt police officer entertaining to watch.
The biggest weakness lies in Ajay’s sudden moral transformation. After years of exploiting his position, he begins questioning his choices and speaking about honesty without the film adequately explaining what triggers this change.
Morally complex characters can make for engaging OTT entertainment, but their journeys need to feel earned. In Gajab Raat, Ajay’s shift in outlook feels abrupt, weakening the emotional core of the story.
Supporting Cast and Technical Shortcomings
Divya Dutta makes an impression as a politician despite limited screen time, while Rajiv Gupta provides some entertaining moments through his exchanges with Bajpayee.
Akshay Oberoi and Saqib Saleem are underutilised, while Shraddha Das’s role as a woman commissioner offers little scope for development. Other supporting characters also struggle to make a meaningful impact on the narrative.
The humour is inconsistent, and certain character choices and dialogues feel awkward rather than effective. The film also includes a racially insensitive suggestion about identifying a Kashmiri woman as Russian or Indo-British based on her complexion and hair, an element that feels particularly misplaced.
Final Verdict
Gajab Raat has the ingredients of an engaging crime thriller: a corrupt cop, a mysterious case, a vaccine scam and a conspiracy involving powerful people. Unfortunately, the screenplay does not fully capitalise on these elements.
Manoj Bajpayee holds the film together with a performance that makes his character watchable, but even his efforts cannot compensate for the weak character development and underwhelming suspense.
Ultimately, Gajab Raat is more baffling than brilliant. It offers a few engaging moments but falls short of delivering the gripping thriller its premise promises.