Gajab Raat Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee Leads A Thriller That Lacks The Thrill

A "ghooskhor" cop, a shocking crime and one night that spirals out of control. In Gajab Raat, Manoj Bajpayee plays Inspector Ajay Nirvit, a notorious police officer who is infamous for his money-making tricks. During a raid to line his pockets, a shocking crime in the judiciary sends the state into a tizzy. Nirvit is tasked with reaching the crime scene and taking charge of the investigation. As the case grows murkier and the CBI steps in, he must decide whether to stick to his crooked ways or finally do his duty. But despite the twists, turns and Neeraj Pandey's signature crime-thriller setup, this Netflix outing is hardly as gajab as its title suggests.

Gajab Raat opens with an ordinary night in the life of Inspector Nirvit, who dreams of buying a farmhouse with his ill-gotten wealth. He is raiding a hotel in Connaught Place (CP) when he receives a call about a shocking crime. A severely injured young woman, barely clinging to life, has been thrown onto the road by a car. The woman is rushed to a hospital, but something doesn't add up. With no signs of sexual assault, it becomes clear that the crime may have a far more sinister motive. CBI officer Naveen Madhok (Akshay Oberoi) steps in to take over the investigation, but as the case unfolds, it becomes clear that there is far more to the crime than meets the eye.

Manoj Bajpayee is as dependable as ever as Nirvit, a morally grey cop who is as unpredictable as they come. He slips seamlessly into the character, making it his own. From his romance with a prostitute (played by Nushrratt Bharuccha) to his camaraderie with his senior, he gets a few lighter moments amid the dark thriller. And, Manoj effortlessly shifts between the different shades of Nirvit's personality, making it easy to connect with the character despite his questionable choices.

While the writing falters at times, Nirvit rarely feels predictable, thanks to Manoj's performance. You are never quite sure of his next move. Even in the final moments, the question remains: will he finally do his duty or fall back on his corrupt ways?

Akshay Oberoi adds intrigue as CBI officer Naveen Madhok while Divya Dutta brings authority to her role as a politician. She perfectly captures the character's commanding presence. Shraddha Das, as a member of a women's commission, does what the script demands. Nushrratt Bharuccha, however, is given a rather forgettable character, leaving little room to make an impact. Saqib Saleem, on the other hand, makes the most of his limited screen time.

Neeraj Pandey is a seasoned hand at the thriller genre and his direction remains largely assured. However, the story itself lacks the thrills to match his reputation. There is little here that audiences haven't seen before. Despite promising a "gajab" thriller, the film turns out to be rather "ajab" in its execution.

Another aspect that doesn't quite work is the familiar corrupt-cop-turns-good arc. Why does the film normalise Nirvit's corruption, only to expect the audience to celebrate him for doing what he is paid to do? His basic duty is treated like a heroic act. This also makes one question the film's portrayal of morality and accountability.

Meanwhile, the girl's story has the potential to make a strong impact, but it doesn't quite land. The uneven pacing and the other characters take away from its emotional weight. What could have been a gripping and tightly woven thriller instead struggles to sustain its momentum.

Gajab Raat is a one-time watch that relies heavily on Manoj Bajpayee's dependable performance but doesn't offer anything particularly groundbreaking in the thriller genre. While the twists keep the story moving, the uneven pacing and familiar plot points prevent it from becoming a truly gripping watch.