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{{Infobox television
| image = Raakshasa.jpeg
| alt =
| caption =
| genre = {{Plainlist|
*[[Psychological thriller]]
*[[crime thriller]]}}
| creator =
| writer = {{Plainlist|
*Suhan Prasad
*Apoorva Kumar}}
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
*Suhan Prasad
*Apoorva Kumar
*M M Shrikantha (Dialogues)}}
| director = Suhan Prasad
| starring = {{Plainlist|
*[[Vijay Raghavendra]]
*[[Mayuri Kyatari]]
*Appanna Ramadurga
*[[Avinash Yelandur]]}}
| country = India
| language = [[Kannada language|Kannada]]
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 7
| producer = [[Tharun Sudhir]]
| location = [[North Karnataka]]
| cinematography = Vivan Vidyut
| editor = {{Plainlist|
*A S Aravind
*Bhuvanesh Manivannan}}
| runtime =
| company = Tharun Sudhir Kreatiivez
| network = [[ZEE5]]
| released = {{Start date|2026|02|20}}
}}
'''Raakshasa''' is a 2026 Indian [[Kannada]]-language [[Psychological thriller|psychological]] [[Crime film|crime thriller]] [[web series]] written and directed by Suhan Prasad and produced by [[Tharun Sudhir]].<ref>{{cite web |date=February 8, 2026 |title=New crime psychological web series Raakshasa will start streaming from February 20th |url=https://vijaykarnataka.com/tv/news/new-crime-psychological-web-series-raakshasa-will-start-streaming-from-february-20th/articleshow/128021858.cms |accessdate=February 18, 2026 |website=Vijay Karnataka}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-07 |title=Rakshasa Web Series: ಒಟಿಟಿ ಪ್ರಪಂಚಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಲಿಟ್ಟ ವಿಜಯ್ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ; ಚಿನ್ನಾರಿ ಮುತ್ತ ಅಭಿನಯದ ವೆಬ್ ಸರಣಿ ಯಾವುದು ಗೊತ್ತಾ? |url=https://kannada.news18.com/news/entertainment/ott-vijay-raghavendra-raakshasa-web-series-zee5-kannada-tharun-sudhir-rvj-kes-2302695.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260207171109/https://kannada.news18.com/news/entertainment/ott-vijay-raghavendra-raakshasa-web-series-zee5-kannada-tharun-sudhir-rvj-kes-2302695.html |archive-date=2026-02-07 |access-date=2026-02-18 |language=kn}}</ref> The series features [[Vijay Raghavendra]] in his digital streaming debut as a police officer investigating a series of mysterious deaths in [[North Karnataka]].<ref>{{cite web |date=February 11, 2026 |title=Crocodile attacks or cult rituals? Rakshasa trailer hints at darker truths |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/kannada/crocodile-attacks-or-cult-rituals-rakshasa-trailer-hints-at-darker-truths/articleshow/128216633.cms |accessdate=February 18, 2026 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-07 |title=ಜೀ5ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬರ್ತಿದೆ ‘ರಾಕ್ಷಸ’ ವೆಬ್ ಸೀರಿಸ್; ಒಟಿಟಿ ಜಗತ್ತಿಗೆ ವಿಜಯ್ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಎಂಟ್ರಿ |url=https://tv9kannada.com/entertainment/ott/rakshasa-web-series-vijay-raghavendras-crime-psychological-thriller-premieres-on-zee5-1145832.html |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=TV9 Kannada |language=kn}}</ref> The series premiered on [[ZEE5]] on February 20, 2026.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 11, 2026 |title=Rakshasa OTT release: When and where to watch this Kannada psychological crime thriller |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/regional/rakshasa-ott-release-when-and-where-to-watch-this-kannada-psychological-crime-thriller-article-13824953.html |accessdate=February 18, 2026 |website=Moneycontrol}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

== Plot ==
Set against the backdrop of North Karnataka, the narrative follows an intense investigation into a series of gruesome deaths initially attributed to [[crocodile attack]]s. As the investigation unfolds, 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 as Yellappa
* [[Avinash Yelandur]] as Praveen Kumar
* MS Jahangir as Virupaksha
* [[Abhijith (actor)|Abhijith]] as Rudrappa
* Hulugappa Kattimani as Ravindra
* Mahadev Hadapad as Beera
* 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 11, 2026 |title=North Karnataka crime thriller Rakshasa: Vijay Raghavendra’s ZEE5 debut |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/ott/story/rakshasa-trailer-north-karnataka-crime-thriller-vijay-raghavendra-zee5-2866778-2026-02-11 |accessdate=February 18, 2026 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

== Release ==
Raakshasa began streaming on [[ZEE5]] from February 20, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=N |first=Hari P. |date=2026-02-14 |title=Raakshasa Release Date Update: When & Where To Watch Vijay Raghavendra’s Mystery Thriller Series |url=https://www.koimoi.com/what-to-watch/raakshasa-release-date-update-when-where-to-watch-vijay-raghavendras-mystery-thriller-series/ |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=Koimoi |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Raakshasa OTT release date: When and where to stream Vijay Raghavendra-led crime thriller series |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/raakshasa-ott-release-date-when-and-where-to-stream-vijay-raghavendra-led-crime-thriller-series/47a4a70989936 |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref>

== Reception ==
''Raakshasa'' received mixed reviews from critics, who largely compared it to its source material, the Tamil series ''[[Vilangu (TV 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Raakshasa Review: A gripping watch that smartly downplays its surprises and avoids unrealistic hero moments |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/kannada/raakshasa-review-a-gripping-watch-that-smartly-downplays-its-surprises-and-avoids-unrealistic-hero-moments/articleshow/128575914.cms |access-date=2026-02-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> [[The Hollywood Reporter|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Raakshasa’ Series Review: An Intriguing Watch That Stops Short Of Being Riveting |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/raakshasa-series-review-an-intriguing-watch-that-stops-short-of-being-riveting |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter India |language=en}}</ref> [[Network18 Group|Moneycontrol]] praised the series for adapting the story into the "distinct social fabric" of rural Karnataka, highlighting the "natural" supporting cast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raakshasa review: A brooding crime thriller rooted in North Karnataka’s dark realities |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/regional/raakshasa-review-a-brooding-crime-thriller-rooted-in-north-karnataka-s-dark-realities-article-13837450.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220090432/https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/regional/raakshasa-review-a-brooding-crime-thriller-rooted-in-north-karnataka-s-dark-realities-article-13837450.html |archive-date=2026-02-20 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Raakshasa review: Formulaic twists blunt gritty crime remake on Zee5 series |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/raakshasa-review-web-series-falls-prey-to-ott-template-3905374 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> [[Firstpost]] gave it 2 out of 5 stars, arguing the show "loses its bite in translation" and suffered from a "generic" visual palette.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Raakshasa Web Series Review: Vijay Raghavendra-starrer remake loses its bite in translation |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/raakshasa-web-series-review-vijay-raghavendra-starrer-remake-loses-its-bite-in-translation-13982605.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223045104/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/raakshasa-web-series-review-vijay-raghavendra-starrer-remake-loses-its-bite-in-translation-13982605.html |archive-date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-25 |work=Firstpost |language=}}</ref> [[HT Media|OTTplay]] also rated the series 1.5 out of 5, concluding that it "pales in comparison to the original" due to repetitive beats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raakshasa review: Vijay Raghavendra’s remake of Vilangu pales in comparison |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/raakshasa-series-review-vijay-raghavendras-kannada-adaptation-of-vilangu-pales-in-comparison-to-the-original/c97db67fee310 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref>

[[The Hans India]] dismissed the series as a "hollow remake," criticizing the "shallow writing" and uninspired direction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=The Hans |date=2026-02-22 |title=‘Raakshasa’ review: A hollow remake that butchers a proven thriller |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/raakshasa-review-a-hollow-remake-that-butchers-a-proven-thriller-1050818 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ponnappa |first=Sanjay |date=2026-02-20 |title=Raakshasa review: A well-written crime thriller led by Vijay Raghavendra |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/ott/story/raakshasa-review-a-well-written-crime-thriller-led-by-vijay-raghavendra-2871271-2026-02-20 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.zee5.com/web-series/details/raakshasa/0-6-4z5910206 ''Raakshasa''] on [[ZEE5]]
* {{IMDb title|id=39783849}}

[[Category:2026 web series debuts]]
[[Category:Kannada-language web series]]
[[Category:Indian crime drama television series]]

Raakshasa - Revision history

Anymore6055: creating a stub