Relishing the exquisite talents of Rahul Dev, Annup Sonii, and Paoli Dam, we have certainly fallen in love with ZEE5’s latest release Raat Baaki Hai. An intriguing thriller that stands out in terms of story, performances, and technical aspects. Also, not to forget, the enticing scenery of Rajasthan that speaks of its royalty. While the narrative was on point, the peacefully haunting nights of Rajasthan sets an apt tone. From the wide shots of Raja Ji’s palace to the essence of Rajasthan’s royalty, Raat Baaki Hai is visually striking.
Ultimately, the film has got us vibing over its luxurious setting that morphs into the horrors of reality. Though we’d always love to revisit Raat Baaki Hai, there’s also an urge to watch some similarly striking dramas. And if you would also love to dive into the worlds of decadent, scandalous, and entertaining stories, then we’ve got it covered for you. These dramas are set in Rajasthan and essay thrilling stories of scandal and power.
So, here’s taking a look at 7 movies/shows where Rajasthan’s palatial vistas became a backdrop of horrific tragedies.
Gulaal
Gulaal is one of the most underrated films of Anurag Kashyap. The 2009 flick revolves around Dilip, the youngest son of a royal Rajasthani family. Dilip decides to get rid of his ‘royal’ status and wishes to live a life of his soon. However, his plans take a drastic turn when he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. The film establishes a subtle debate about monarchy and democracy which seems to be equally present in Rajasthan.
In Gulaal, the drama reaches its peak after the sudden death of Raja Ji, “His Highness”. His illicit affair comes to light and the successors fight for power. The film is marked with great performances and a noteworthy climax. Kay Kay Menon, Aditya Srivastava, and Piyush Mishra’s performances are worth watching.
Bang Bang
Set within the royal boundaries of Udaipur, Bang Bang revolves around a murder mystery that is connected to the royal family of King Dhanraj. Our protagonist Raghu gets absurd warnings from a mysterious person. Later he discovers that he has a strange connection with the much-talked-about murder in Udaipur. And that’s where the real story begins.
The story scrutinizes Raghu’s personal life as he gets involved in solving the mystery. His sizzling chemistry with Meera gives an interesting romantic angle to the story. As the story progresses ahead, there are plenty of secrets that come to light. Bang Bang treats you with an intriguing storyline matched up with great performances.
Dark 7 White
Dark 7 White is somewhat similar to Gulaal. A story about a man who takes a dip into the world of politics and power. However, unlike Gulaal, Dark 7 White is a whodunnit drama. The episodic saga revolves around Yudhveer Singh who enjoys the pros of being a ‘blue-blooded’. However, soon he realizes that politics holds a greater power in times of democracy. And then he sets out on his journey in the world of politics.
Unfortunately, he gets killed before he could accomplish his dreams. The police investigate the mystery behind his death. Several angles surrounding his personal life and enmity are explored. And by the end of the show, you’ll be surprised. Amidst the royal scenic of Rajasthan, this whodunnit will give you chills.
Manorama: Six Feet Under
In this apt remake of Roman Polanski’s Chinatown, Abhay Deol takes the lead. Set in Rajasthan, it is the story of Satyaveer who turns a private detective for the minister’s wife investigating her husband’s extramarital affairs. What seems like a basic story morphs into a horrific world of white-collar crimes. All the secrets surface over the plot after the death of the minister’s wife.
Living in his royal mansion, Minister PP Rathore (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) imbibes some deep secrtes. This one is a last-minute thriller that’ll definitely be an interesting watch.
Paheli
Amol Palekar’s Paheli gives you a mesmerizing view of royal Rajasthan. This folk-tale thriller revolves around a newly married couple Kishan and Lachchi. When the husband sets out on a business trip, a ghost disguises as Kishan and lives along with Lachchi. Their relationship flourishes and when Lachchi gets pregnant, her ‘real husband’ returns to the village.
Confusions take over the family as they head towards Rajaji to solve the problem. This epic fantasy film is high on entertainment. The story stands as a metaphor for the tragic lives of countryside women.
Manmohini
Zee TV’s supernatural romantic series Manmohini had an interesting story at its heart. With ample thrills and interesting characters, the show emerged as one of the most intriguing dramas on television. The show follows the story of Ram and Siya, a married couple who are on the verge of taking a divorce. Also, the flashback of the story takes you 500 years ago when Mohini, a maid at a palace falls in love with Rana Sa. However, she ends up dying and is back to seek her unrequited love.
When Siya learns about the same, she decides to fight against all the odds to save her family. This interesting romance thriller portrays the tragedies within a royal family.
Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani
Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani is a period drama essaying the love story of Ranaji, a king of the village. After being traumatized by his first wife’s death, Rana’s life changes for good when he falls in love with Gayatri, the daughter of zamindar. However, their love story gets laden with plenty of conflicts as Rana’s enemies team up to kill him. The show ends on a tragic note but has an intriguing story to offer.
Meanwhile, stay tuned to ZEE5 for more interesting content and stories.