Aamir Bashir on Raakh: Playing a war veteran's 'double whammy'
Synopsis
Aamir Bashir says no amount of military training could prepare his 'Raakh' character for the murder of his own children — and that contradiction between command and helplessness is exactly what made the role worth playing. The Prime Video thriller, inspired by the real Ranga-Billa case, has struck a chord with audiences since its release.
Key Takeaways
Aamir Bashir stars in 'Raakh' , a fictional investigative thriller now streaming on Prime Video .
He plays a war veteran and father whose children are murdered — a role he calls a 'double whammy' of grief and helplessness.
Bashir says the character's 'crumbling' — a trained soldier rendered powerless by personal loss — was the most compelling aspect of the role.
The series is set in the late 1970s and is heavily inspired by the real-life Ranga-Billa kidnapping and murder case .
The ensemble cast includes Ali Fazal , Sonali Bendre , Ramandeep Yadav , Prosit Roy , Anusha Nandkumar , and Sandeep Sanket .
Actor Aamir Bashir has opened up about the emotional core of his performance in the newly released streaming thriller 'Raakh', describing his character's inner collapse as the most compelling — and demanding — aspect of the role. The show, which began streaming on Prime Video, has drawn strong audience response since its release.
The Character's Emotional Weight
Bashir plays a war veteran and father whose children are murdered — a role he describes as a 'double whammy' of grief. Speaking at a group interaction alongside co-stars Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Ramandeep Yadav, Prosit Roy, Anusha Nandkumar, and Sandeep Sanket, the actor elaborated on what drew him to the part.
'No, I don't think there was any specific instruction. These are things that you can't really prepare for. That includes Mona's reaction. So, other than really being, it's like a double whammy. The fact that we have lost our children. Now, the mother or my wife is reacting in a way, she is in pure denial. The question that my character asks is, ‘How do I handle this situation?’ So, it's a question of basically your world falling apart. In every sense of the word,' Bashir said.
A Soldier Undone by Grief
What Bashir found most interesting, he explained, was the contradiction at the heart of his character — a man trained to command in the most extreme conditions, rendered completely helpless by personal loss.
'His crumbling was the interesting part. He is supposed to do the opposite, actually. He is supposed to take control. He has been in command. He has commanded people in adverse conditions during wars. And, for him to be completely helpless simply because no amount of training can prepare you for something like this. So, that was my perception of the role,' he said.
About Raakh
'Raakh' is a fictional investigative thriller set in the late 1970s, tracing a crime that triggers a nationwide manhunt and explores the collision between justice and impunity. The series is heavily inspired by the real-life Ranga-Billa case — a notorious kidnapping and murder of two siblings that shook the country. The show examines how institutions and individuals respond when the system is pushed to its limits.
Reception and Streaming
The series has received considerable positive response from audiences, with Bashir's portrayal of the grieving, disoriented father drawing particular attention. 'Raakh' is currently available to stream on Prime Video. The ensemble cast and its late 1970s setting have been noted as key strengths of the production.
Point of View
And it points to what makes 'Raakh' more than a period crime retelling. The Ranga-Billa case has been referenced in Indian popular culture before, but rarely through the lens of a parent's psychological disintegration. Whether the show sustains that emotional register across its run is the real test — and the audience response so far suggests it largely does.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Raakh' about?
'Raakh' is a fictional investigative thriller set in the late 1970s, inspired by the real Ranga-Billa kidnapping and murder case. It follows a crime that triggers a nationwide manhunt and examines the collision between crime and justice.
Who does Aamir Bashir play in 'Raakh'?
Aamir Bashir plays a war veteran and father whose children are murdered in the series. He has described the role as emotionally demanding, built around the contradiction of a trained soldier rendered helpless by personal grief.
What did Aamir Bashir mean by 'double whammy'?
Bashir used the phrase to describe his character facing two simultaneous blows — the murder of his children and his wife's complete denial of the tragedy. Together, these forces leave his character with no clear emotional anchor.
Where can I watch 'Raakh'?
'Raakh' is available to stream on Prime Video.
What is the Ranga-Billa case that inspired 'Raakh'?
The Ranga-Billa case was a real-life crime from the late 1970s involving the kidnapping, extortion, and brutal murder of two siblings that shocked India. 'Raakh' is a fictional series heavily inspired by this case, though it is not a direct dramatisation.
