ZEE5’s Bhagwat: Chapter One – Raakshas continues to receive immense love and critical acclaim for its gripping storytelling, haunting atmosphere, and powerhouse performances. Directed by Akshay Shere and headlined by Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar, the film follows the investigation of a prostitution racket and delves into the chilling aftermath of a crime and the moral dilemmas that blur the lines between right and wrong.
Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas plot
In Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh, a young woman, Poonam Mishra, goes missing from her house. While her father`s pleas go unheard by the police, her disappearance sets the town rife with accusations of `Love-jihad`, which ignite into protests and riots. It is in this politically charged atmosphere that Inspector Bhagwat (Arshad Warsi) is called to investigate the case. A no-nonsense officer who is haunted by his past, he immediately discovers a pattern and uncovers multiple cases of missing girls. Concealing a connection to the case, Bhagwat is nevertheless determined to do what is right. His first suspect? Sameer (Jitendra Kumar). Warsi and Jitendra lock horns in this gripping tale of good and evil.
Arshad Warsi on shooting inside a jail
Audiences have been particularly moved by Arshad Warsi’s raw and layered portrayal — a striking departure from his trademark light-hearted roles. To authentically capture the emotional gravity of his character, Arshad went beyond the script and immersed himself in real-life experiences. The actor visited a prison and spent time with inmates, including those on death row, to understand the profound weight of guilt, justice, and redemption.
Arshad Warsi shared, “We actually shot inside a real jail, and some of the inmates there were on death row. The atmosphere was chilling, incredibly real. You could feel the weight of silence in every corridor, a place where lives had paused. Shooting in that environment changes you; it makes the performance more honest because you can’t escape the energy of that space. It’s an experience you don’t forget easily.”
Warsi was recently seen in an extended cameo in the Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood, where he played an underworld gangster, Gafoor, and received widespread acclaim for his role.
Arshad Warsi`s upcoming projects
Warsi will begin shooting for Asur 3 in December. Remaining tight-lipped about the details of the project, he only divulged `At the moment, they are figuring out the dates. But yes, that’s my next. I am yet to read the script, but verbally we know that it’s happening.`
2026 will also see Warsi showcasing his range by acting in diverse genres. He has the comedies Dhamaal 4 and Welcome to the Jungle lined up for 2026, followed by the action-drama King and dacoit drama, Ghamasaan, for which he put on 10 kgs.
