Gajab Raat (2026) Review!!

Synopsis – A bent police officer Ajay Dikshit’s eventful and money-making night are disrupted as he finds himself in the midst of a global conspiracy while trying to unravel the identity of a badly injured girl thrown out of a moving car in the heart of Delhi.

My Take – For a time, Neeraj Pandey was regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most reliable storytellers, crafting taut thrillers and sharply observed dramas such as A Wednesday! (2008), Special 26 (2013), Baby (2015), and M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016). In recent years, however, that reputation has noticeably dimmed.

Films like Aiyaary (2018), Missing (2018), Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (2024), and Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha (2024) failed not only to recapture the precision of his finest work but proved disappointing in their own right. Even his foray into streaming with titles such as Special OPS, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, and Taskaree has yielded mostly competent, binge-able entertainment rather than the originality and craftsmanship that once set him apart.

Thankfully, his latest production, co-written by Pandey and acclaimed screenwriter Ritesh Shah, who also makes his directorial debut, comes close to restoring some of that lost sheen. Formerly titled Ghooskhor Pandit before controversy forced a change, this Netflix thriller unfolds over the course of a single chaotic night.

Packed with corrupt cops, opportunistic politicians, armed criminals, and a host of desperate players pursuing the same objective, it transforms a seemingly routine police investigation into a gripping contest of power, greed, and survival. Bolstered by an electric ensemble and a brisk, propulsive screenplay, the film rarely allows its momentum to falter.

Sure, not every twist lands as a genuine surprise, and seasoned viewers may spot some turns coming, but the narrative keeps its machinery running smoothly. By the time dawn approaches, the film arrives at its central idea with conviction: in a system where nearly everyone can be bought, the real question is not who is corrupt, but who still knows where to draw the line. Its flaws are evident, yet the film rises above them often enough to remain a thoroughly entertaining and satisfying thriller.

The story follows Ajay Nirvit (Manoj Bajpayee), a corrupt Delhi Police sub-inspector who treats his badge less as a public duty and more as a lucrative business opportunity. On what appears to be just another routine night, Ajay participates in a raid on a motel allegedly running a sex racket. Yet he is not there to enforce the law. Instead, he is settling scores with the motel owner, whose bribes have fallen short of what Ajay and his superior (Rajiv Gupta) expect.

However, the night takes a dramatic turn when a critically injured and unidentified young woman (Aditi Sandhya Sharma) is thrown from a moving car onto the streets of Delhi. As footage of the incident spreads across social media and triggers a public outcry, Ajay is unexpectedly assigned as the investigating officer on the case. What initially appears to be a straightforward investigation soon spirals into something far more complicated.

A determined CBI officer, Naveen Madhok (Akshay Oberoi), arrives demanding jurisdiction, while NIA officer Karan Gill (Saqib Saleem) begins monitoring every move from the shadows. Adding to the chaos are social activist Neha Prabhu (Shraddha Das) and influential politician Suneeta Chaudhary (Divya Dutta), both of whom seem deeply invested in the fate of the mysterious woman. As competing agendas collide, Ajay finds himself trapped in a web of political intrigue, institutional rivalries, and hidden motives, no longer the man pulling the strings but one desperately trying to figure out who really is.

The rest of the narrative grows organically from this deceptively simple setup, following a police officer with a highly flexible moral compass as he digs deeper into a conspiracy concealed beneath layers of institutional decay. Whether Ajay Nirvit ultimately chooses self-preservation, personal gain, or redemption is a question best left for the audience to discover. Much of the film’s appeal lies in the uncertainty surrounding its protagonist.

Ajay is a fascinatingly slippery figure: part fixer, part opportunist, part cynic, and yet not entirely devoid of conscience. We know he can be bought, but the screenplay constantly keeps us guessing about just how far he is willing to go. That ambiguity becomes one of the film’s strongest assets, while the brisk pacing ensures the momentum never falters. As new players enter this tangled web of power and influence, the narrative becomes increasingly intricate without ever feeling convoluted.

Interestingly, director Ritesh Shah adopts several familiar hallmarks of the Neeraj Pandey school of thrillers and incorporates them seamlessly into the film’s DNA. There are bureaucratic turf wars, morally compromised law enforcers, constant movement between institutions, flashes of dry humor amid mounting tension, and the lingering sense that every character knows more than they are willing to reveal.

Yet director Shah avoids mere imitation, blending these elements with his own sensibilities to give an otherwise conventional mystery a distinctive identity. He also makes excellent use of the film’s compressed timeframe, leveraging the one-night setting to steadily increase the pressure and urgency. Every scene serves a purpose, every revelation pushes the story forward, and the shifting alliances and backroom deals provide a consistently engaging hook.

For a directorial debut, the level of control Shah demonstrates over the material is particularly impressive. That said, the film loses its footing in the final stretch. While its central mystery is compelling and its examination of corruption and its far-reaching consequences carries weight, the payoff never feels quite as satisfying as the setup promises. The resolution is believable enough, but lacks the impact needed to elevate the film into the upper tier of crime thrillers. As a result, what remains is a polished and engaging entertainer that comes close to greatness without ever fully reaching it.

Performance wise, Manoj Bajpayee is terrific as Ajay Nirvit, expertly balancing the character’s slippery charm, moral ambiguity, and dry humor. He anchors the film with a turn that makes Ajay both frustratingly corrupt and unexpectedly compelling. Divya Dutta makes a strong impression in a restrained yet authoritative role, while Shraddha Das, Akshay Oberoi, and Saqib Saleem bring an undercurrent of tension and intrigue whenever they appear.

Though their roles are limited, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Kiku Sharda make the most of their brief screen time, leaving a memorable impact. Rajiv Gupta is particularly enjoyable, sharing some of the film’s best dialogue-driven exchanges with Bajpayee and adding a layer of earthy humour to the proceedings.

Aditi Sandhya Sharma, Meghna Agarwal, Dhiru Bhojwani, Satyen Chaturvedi, Alok Pandey, Leena Sharma, and the rest of the supporting cast slip effortlessly into their respective parts, helping to create a lived-in world populated by characters who feel authentic rather than merely functional. On the whole, ‘Gajab Raat‘ is a pacy, entertaining thriller that thrives on strong performances, brisk storytelling, and intrigue, even if its climax prevents it from reaching its full potential.