Rautu Ka Raaz is a 2024 Hindi-language mystery thriller directed by Anand Surapur, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Inspector Deepak Negi. Set in the serene village of Rautu Ki Beli in Uttarakhand, the film revolves around the mysterious death of Sangeeta Devi (Narayani Shastri), the warden of a school for blind children. Initially believed to be a natural death, Inspector Negi suspects foul play and begins a meticulous investigation, uncovering a web of secrets, corruption, and personal vendettas.

The investigation reveals that Sangeeta was involved in a scandalous affair with Manoj Kesari (Atul Tiwari), the school’s owner, and had conspired with a builder to sell the school’s land for profit. Negi also discovers that Sangeeta had covered up the death of a blind student, Payal, who had been molested by Gobind, a school employee. Sangeeta’s harsh treatment of the students, particularly her expulsion of Diya (Drishti Gaba) for holding hands with Rajat (Pratham Rathod), further deepens the mystery.

As Negi digs deeper, he finds that Rajat, a blind student, killed Sangeeta using an air embolism after learning about her role in Payal’s death and her disdain for the disabled. Despite uncovering the truth, Negi chooses not to arrest Rajat, believing his actions were justified. Instead, he resigns from his position, seeking solace and a fresh start.

The film explores themes of justice, morality, and the struggles of marginalized communities. Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers a compelling performance as the PTSD-ridden inspector, while the picturesque setting of Uttarakhand adds to the film’s atmospheric tension. However, the slow pacing and underdeveloped subplots have been critiqued by some viewers.

In conclusion, Rautu Ka Raaz is a thought-provoking mystery that blends social commentary with a gripping narrative, though its execution leaves room for improvement. It is now available for streaming on ZEE5.