Manoj Bajpayee Shines in Ritesh Shah's Thriller 'Gajab Raat' on Netflix

A High-Stakes Overnight Descent

Directed by Ritesh Shah and backed by writer-producer Neeraj Pandey, the new Netflix release Gajab Raat transforms a standard law enforcement setup into a breathless exploration of institutional corruption and survival. Running at 120 minutes, the thriller stars Manoj Bajpayee alongside an ensemble cast featuring Divya Dutta, Rajiv Gupta, Akshay Oberoi, Saqib Saleem, and Shraddha Das.

The narrative centers on Ajay Nivrit (Manoj Bajpayee), a corrupt yet hyper-efficient Delhi Police sub-inspector. Alongside his immediate superior, SHO Rana (Rajiv Gupta), Ajay negotiates the boundaries of the law to pad his own finances. However, an otherwise routine evening involving a hotel raid and a lucrative extortion plot takes a sudden, dark turn when a young girl jumps from a moving SUV in Delhi’s Connaught Circus.

Institutional Chess Match

As public attention grows via social media, Ajay is assigned to the case due to his proximity to the incident. Complications multiply rapidly as high-profile figures converge on the scene. A social activist (Shraddha Das), a CBI officer (Akshay Oberoi), and an NIA operative (Saqib Saleem) step in, attempting to strip Ajay of his authority and oust him from the investigation. Driven initially by greed and later by survival, Ajay uses his deep understanding of systemic leverage to stand his ground, turning an administrative ambush into a high-stakes chess match.

Critical reception highlights Bajpayee's performance, noting his departure from slow-burning intensity in favor of a rapid-fire cadence that captures the panic of a lower-rung officer losing control of his scheme. The supporting cast—including Divya Dutta as a restrained center of power and Rajiv Gupta as a world-weary superior—adds layers to the institutional dynamic.

Title Changes and Context

The film arrives on streaming following notable discussions surrounding its original working title, Ghooskhor Pandat, which faced public controversy and legal scrutiny regarding community portrayal before the filmmakers voluntarily adjusted the title to Gajab Raat.

Readers can verify official streaming details, cast information, and platform availability directly through the original review published by [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/gajab-raat-movie-review-manoj-bajpayee-lights-up-a-night-to-remember/article71617745.ece).