Five years after the original, director Honey Trehan brings back Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Inspector Jatil Yadav in 'Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders', centered on a mass murder investigation. The film reunites Siddiqui with Radhika Apte and boasts a stellar cast. Trehan stresses creating thrillers with purpose, not just to titillate audiences.
The original 'Raat Akeli Hai' released in 2020 as Honey Trehan's debut, written by Smita Singh. The script was initially Smita's diploma project at FTII Pune. Trehan received the 30-page script through an agent, was instantly amused, and met Smita to bring her on board.
Trehan describes the new film not as a sequel but 'another chapter' with a completely different story. Nawazuddin Siddiqui reprises Inspector Jatil Yadav, now tackling a mass murder case. Radhika Apte returns alongside him. Radhika says, 'It becomes more comfortable... you are open to trying new things and making mistakes without hesitation.' Nawazuddin agrees, 'Working with Radhika has been quite fulfilling, as there is a certain comfort between us.'
Siddiqui has portrayed cops before in 'Kahaani' (2012), 'Raees' (2017), and 'Rautu Ka Raaz' (2024), each with distinct mannerisms. He notes, 'Doing a similar role in myriad ways is a sign of versatility.' The cast includes Rajat Kapoor, Deepti Naval, Ila Arun, Revathi, and Chitrangada Singh in key roles.
Trehan does not consume many films or shows. He quips, 'I don’t even remember what I watched last. I just maintain my sanity by working on stories that I want to tell.' His focus is on unique characters and worlds, with a clear purpose. 'I don’t want to make a crime-thriller just to titillate the audience... Through the story, I want to talk about something.'
