Actress Chitrangda Singh highlights the deeper social themes interwoven into “Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders,” including patriarchy, class divides, and inheritance politics within Indian families. She realized these elements more fully as the film evolved during production.
When asked about her awareness of these themes during her performance and if they influenced her choices as an actor, Chitrangda reflected on her initial experience. During her first narration with director Honey Trehan, she did not understand how central social commentary would be to the story’s development.
“I honestly, you know, in the first narration that I had with Honey Trehan, I wasn’t very sure that this was something that would be such an important part of the narrative. But after, you know, we started shooting and then slowly you see the dialogues kind of, you know, always underlining these things and in the way it got played out finally,” she explained.
She emphasized that this layered storytelling is a hallmark of Honey Trehan’s filmmaking style.
“I think now I understand how important the social commentary was for Honey Trehan, and that is the beauty of his filmmaking. He is one of those filmmakers who don’t just convey one message in a scene; there are so many layered meanings to every moment,” she shared.
Chitrangda believes the nuanced approach sets “Raat Akeli Hai” apart from typical murder mysteries.
“And, you know, apparently they’re running, and I think that is why it kind of stands apart from a regular murder mystery. It’s not that is what has become such an important part of the story as well,” she concluded.
“Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders” is a crime thriller directed by Honey Trehan, featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte. This sequel picks up years after the first case, following Inspector Jatil Yadav as he returns, now more experienced yet still morally resolute. When members of the influential Bansal family are tied to a new suspicious death, Jatil is summoned to investigate.
What seems like an open-and-shut case quickly becomes complex, as the Bansals are wealthier and more adept at hiding their secrets. Each family member presents a polished version of the truth while discreetly protecting their own interests.
Chitrangda will next be seen in “Battle Of Galwan,” alongside superstar Salman Khan. This film centers on the Galwan stand-off between India and China on June 15, 2020, during the height of the first COVID-19 wave in India.