Raakshasa
| Raakshasa | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Written by |
|
| Screenplay by |
|
| Directed by | Suhan Prasad |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Kannada |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Tharun Sudhir |
| Production location | North Karnataka |
| Cinematography | Vivan Vidyut |
| Editors |
|
| Production company | Tharun Sudhir Kreatiivez |
| Original release | |
| Network | ZEE5 |
| Release | February 20, 2026 |
Raakshasa is a 2026 Indian Kannada-language psychological crime thriller web series written and directed by Suhan Prasad and produced by Tharun Sudhir.[1][2] The series features Vijay Raghavendra in his digital streaming debut as a police officer investigating a series of mysterious deaths in North Karnataka.[3][4] The series premiered on ZEE5 on February 20, 2026.[5][6]
Plot
Set against the backdrop of North Karnataka, the narrative follows an intense investigation into a string of gruesome deaths initially attributed to crocodile attacks. As the investigation progresses, the protagonist, a dedicated police officer, uncovers evidence suggesting that the killings may be linked to dark cult rituals and human intervention rather than animal attacks. The series explores the psychological tension between local superstition and forensic reality.
Cast and characters
- Vijay Raghavendra as SI Hanmappa
- Mayuri Kyatari as Jyothi
- Appanna Ramadurga
- Avinash Yelandur
- MS Jahangir
- Abhijith
- Hulugappa Kattimani
- Mahadev Hadapad
- Sushmitha Jagappa
Production
Casting
In early 2026, it was confirmed that actor Vijay Raghavendra would lead the series, marking his debut in the OTT space.[7][8]
Release
Raakshasa began streaming on ZEE5 from February 20, 2026.[9][10]
Reception
Raakshasa received mixed reviews from critics, who largely compared it to its source material, the Tamil series Vilangu. While the North Karnataka setting and Vijay Raghavendra's performance were praised, the show was criticized for its technical execution and lack of originality.
The Times of India called it a "gripping watch" that benefited from a "restrained, internalised performance" by Raghavendra and an atmospheric setting.[11] The Hollywood Reporter India noted that while the pacing was "sturdy," the early reveal in the third episode stripped the later half of its "riveting" potential.[12] Moneycontrol praised the series for adapting the story into the "distinct social fabric" of rural Karnataka, highlighting the "natural" supporting cast.[13]
In a critical review, Deccan Herald rated it 1.5 out of 5 stars, stating it "fell prey to the OTT template" with forced cliffhangers and "amateurish" dubbing.[6] Firstpost gave it 2 out of 5 stars, arguing the show "loses its bite in translation" and suffered from a "generic" visual palette.[14] OTTplay also rated the series 1.5 out of 5, concluding that it "pales in comparison to the original" due to repetitive beats.[15]
The Hans India dismissed the series as a "hollow remake," criticizing the "shallow writing" and uninspired direction.[16] Writing for India Today, the critic noted that while the "central mystery is engaging enough to keep viewers invested," the series suffered from an "amateurish, underproduced quality" and technical issues such as "glaring errors with the dubbing" and grammatical mistakes in the credits.[8]
References
- ^ "New crime psychological web series Raakshasa will start streaming from February 20th". Vijay Karnataka. February 8, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "Rakshasa Web Series: ಒಟಿಟಿ ಪ್ರಪಂಚಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಲಿಟ್ಟ ವಿಜಯ್ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ; ಚಿನ್ನಾರಿ ಮುತ್ತ ಅಭಿನಯದ ವೆಬ್ ಸರಣಿ ಯಾವುದು ಗೊತ್ತಾ?" (in Kannada). 2026-02-07. Archived from the original on 2026-02-07. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ^ "Crocodile attacks or cult rituals? Rakshasa trailer hints at darker truths". The Times of India. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "ಜೀ5ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬರ್ತಿದೆ 'ರಾಕ್ಷಸ' ವೆಬ್ ಸೀರಿಸ್; ಒಟಿಟಿ ಜಗತ್ತಿಗೆ ವಿಜಯ್ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಎಂಟ್ರಿ". TV9 Kannada (in Kannada). 2026-02-07. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ^ "Rakshasa OTT release: When and where to watch this Kannada psychological crime thriller". Moneycontrol. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ a b "Raakshasa review: Formulaic twists blunt gritty crime remake on Zee5 series". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "North Karnataka crime thriller Rakshasa: Vijay Raghavendra's ZEE5 debut". India Today. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ a b Ponnappa, Sanjay (2026-02-20). "Raakshasa review: A well-written crime thriller led by Vijay Raghavendra". India Today. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ N, Hari P. (2026-02-14). "Raakshasa Release Date Update: When & Where To Watch Vijay Raghavendra's Mystery Thriller Series". Koimoi. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ^ "Raakshasa OTT release date: When and where to stream Vijay Raghavendra-led crime thriller series". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ^ "Raakshasa Review: A gripping watch that smartly downplays its surprises and avoids unrealistic hero moments". The Times of India. 2026-02-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "'Raakshasa' Series Review: An Intriguing Watch That Stops Short Of Being Riveting". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "Raakshasa review: A brooding crime thriller rooted in North Karnataka's dark realities". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 2026-02-20. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "Raakshasa Web Series Review: Vijay Raghavendra-starrer remake loses its bite in translation". Firstpost. 2026-02-23. Archived from the original on 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "Raakshasa review: Vijay Raghavendra's remake of Vilangu pales in comparison". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ India, The Hans (2026-02-22). "'Raakshasa' review: A hollow remake that butchers a proven thriller". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 2026-02-25.