Manoj Bajpayee's Thriller 'Gajab Raat' Premieres on Netflix

The crime thriller Gajab Raat, starring Manoj Bajpayee as a morally compromised police officer, premiered on Netflix. Directed by Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey, the film unfolds over the course of a single chaotic night in New Delhi.

The narrative begins when an anti-corruption cop named Ajay Dixit is assigned to investigate a near-fatal attack on a journalist who was thrown from a moving vehicle in Connaught Place. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a dangerous trail leading to powerful political figures determined to silence the victim at any cost.

The film features an ensemble cast including Shraddha Das as a social activist, Akshay Oberoi as a sophisticated antagonist, alongside Saqib Saleem and Nushrratt Bharuccha. While critics praise the strong performances and efficient direction, some reviews note that the pacing falters in the second half, transitioning from an edge-of-the-seat thriller into a sluggish narrative.

The release follows a contentious months-long public and legal battle over the film's original title, Ghooskhor Pandat. Unveiled in February at a streaming event, the initial title sparked immediate backlash from groups objecting to the use of a community-identifying term alongside corruption. The controversy resulted in an FIR ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government, a Delhi High Court takedown order, and proceedings in the Supreme Court.

Addressing the backlash, lead actor Manoj Bajpayee stated in an interview that the objections came exclusively from individuals who had neither seen the film nor watched its trailer. He clarified that the word 'Pandat' in the story referred merely to a fictional nickname given to his character within the police department rather than a caste designation.

To resolve the legal challenges, the producers submitted an affidavit agreeing to drop the original title and completely withdraw promotional material. After securing a new title, the team launched a fresh trailer in October, clearing the path for the film's scheduled streaming debut.