Sonali Bendre on Raakh: 'Explored emotional spaces I hadn't tapped before'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Sonali Bendre, Ali Fazal, and Aamir Bashir headline the upcoming Prime Video thriller series Raakh, whose trailer was unveiled on 1 June. The show is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across 240+ countries and territories on 12 June.
Sonali Bendre on Her Character Mona Arora
Bendre, who plays Mona Arora in the series, described the project as a conscious creative choice. 'Raakh came to me at a time when I have become very conscious of the stories I choose to be part of. What drew me to it was how layered and emotionally complex it is. While it unfolds as a thriller, at its heart it is a deeply human story,' she said.
The actor added that the role pushed her into unfamiliar emotional territory. 'The series gave me the opportunity to explore emotional spaces I hadn't tapped into before as an actor. Mona is a character who carries both vulnerability and quiet strength, and portraying her was incredibly rewarding,' Bendre said, crediting directors Prosit Roy, Anusha Nandakumar, and Sandeep Saket for the sensitivity they brought to the storytelling.
Ali Fazal on Playing SI Jayprakash
Ali Fazal, who portrays Sub-Inspector Jayprakash, said the script subverted his initial expectations of a conventional crime procedural. 'The moment I read the script, I was drawn in. Anusha, Sandeep and Prosit have woven a story that is layered, emotionally intense, and packed with gritty realism,' he said.
Fazal described Jayprakash as 'an introvert, the unlikely cop' — flawed, conflicted, and navigating a rapidly shifting political and social environment. He believes the show functions as a character study as much as a police procedural, with appeal for audiences both in India and globally.
Aamir Bashir on Grief and Discipline
Aamir Bashir, cast as Lt. Col. Ashok Arora, called the role one of the most demanding of his career. 'Here's a man defined by discipline and regimen, navigating immense grief and turmoil — a situation one cannot possibly be prepared for,' he said, describing the world built by the creative team as 'viscerally urgent and unflinching.'
What the Trailer Reveals
The trailer offers a glimpse of a brutal crime that fractures the lives of victims' families, while probing the disturbing depths of violence and human depravity. The show is fictional and directed and executive produced by Prosit Roy, with the series created, written, and co-directed by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket. Dialogues are by Ayush Trivedi.
Full Cast and Premiere Details
Beyond the three leads, Raakh features Akash Makhija, Ramandeep Yadav, Divya Sharma, Vivaan Sharma, Anshul Chauhan, Rakesh Bedi, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in pivotal roles. The series streams exclusively on Prime Video from 12 June.