Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders hit Netflix on December 19, and instantly led to discussions about whether the chilling family massacre depicted on screen was based on a true event. Directed by Honey
Trehan and written by Smita Singh, this sequel to the 2020 mystery Raat Akeli Hai brings back Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Inspector Jatil Yadav, a relentless, sharp-eyed investigator drawn into an unnerving puzzle behind closed doors.Set in Kanpur, the Netflix film's central plot unfolds when members of the affluent Bansal family are found murdered in their sprawling mansion. Every surviving family member seems to carry secrets, motives and hidden tensions, pushing Jatil deeper into a web of deceit, greed and betrayal. With an ensemble cast including Radhika Apte, Chitrangada Singh and Rajat Kapoor, the story explores how wealth and privilege can hide dark truths beneath polished surfaces.
The Real Story Behind Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders
Despite its gritty realism and suspenseful pace, the story is not based on a single real murder case. Director Honey Trehan confirmed in interviews that the screenplay was crafted from many small real-life experiences and general societal elements and not one specific crime.
Many viewers have drawn parallels between The Bansal Murders and infamous mass family tragedies such as the Burari case in Delhi (where 11 family members died under mysterious circumstances in 2018). However, Trehan neither confirmed nor directly tied the film to that particular incident, saying that while real events may have loosely influenced the narrative tone, the story itself is a constructed thriller meant to reflect broader social anxieties.The psychological complexity of suspects, hidden animosities and the sheer shock of a powerful household’s violent end give the film a lifelike intensity. It’s a fictional mystery but one that feels eerily real because of its believable characters and underlying societal resonance.Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s portrayal of Inspector Jatil Yadav adds to this realism. In promotion and press sessions, he spoke about the challenges of delivering truth on screen, saying that the character’s flaws and relentless pursuit of justice make him both relatable and compelling.In short, Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders isn't a retelling of a real case. It's a fictional crime drama inspired by real social elements. If you’re drawn to mysteries that explore the darker side of human nature and social structures, go for this one!