Manoj Bajpayee seems to enjoy playing cops, and every time he does it, he finds a new way to make the role feel fresh. His latest is Gajab Raat, a Netflix thriller set over a single night in Delhi. The trailer is out now, and it hints at a story full of secrets, pressure, and one very tough choice.
What does the trailer show?
The trailer opens with a raid at a hotel. A girl in a pink dress, played by Nushrratt Bharuccha, runs down a corridor in a panic. Then we see another young woman being thrown out of a moving car, her face covered in cuts and bruises. It is a harsh start, and it sets the tone quickly.
Then Manoj Bajpayee enters as the police officer on the case. He is shown as a morally grey man, someone who can be tempted by money but also feels the weight of doing the right thing.
As the investigating officer, he becomes responsible for the case, and more and more authorities start asking questions about the woman. Her identity seems to carry much bigger meaning than anyone first thought. The trailer keeps the full picture hidden, which only adds to the suspense.
One night, many twists
The idea of telling a whole story across a single night is a smart one. It creates a sense of urgency, because every decision has to be made fast, and every choice leads somewhere dangerous. Neeraj Pandey has said the tension comes as much from the characters’ moral struggles as from the events on screen.
Director Ritesh Shah, who is making his debut with this film, has said that the limited time frame helped build the stakes slowly. The supporting cast looks interesting too. Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, Divya Dutta and Nushrratt Bharuccha appear in key roles, and the trailer suggests that each character has a motive that will slowly come out as the hours pass.
A reunion after years
This film brings Manoj Bajpayee and Neeraj Pandey together again after a long gap. The two first worked on the cult comedy thriller Special 26, and they last teamed up on Aiyaari in 2018. Pandey has also kept a strong link with Netflix after Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, and Taskaree. The film is produced by his banner, Friday Film Works.
Why the title changed
You might remember this film under a different name. It was first called Ghooskhor Pandat, which drew objections over how it linked the word “Pandat” with corruption. A petition was filed in the Delhi High Court, and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees also raised concerns.
Netflix later told the court that the producers had decided to change the title, and the matter was closed after the petitioner accepted that. The makers then unveiled the new name, Gajab Raat, along with the trailer.
A big October for new releases
The film comes out in a packed month. A week before it arrives, Yami Gautam’s festive fantasy comedy hits theatres on October 16, and our Nayyi Navelli trailer review shows why that one looks like so much fun.
On October 23, the same day Gajab Raat streams, there are two interesting theatre releases. One is a love story with a big emotional punch, which you can read about in our Tum Mere Ho trailer review. The other is a darker take on love and obsession, covered in our Tu Hai Meri Kiran trailer review. That makes October 23 a very busy Friday for movie fans.
Should you watch it?
If you enjoy suspense thrillers where the main character is not exactly a hero or a villain, Gajab Raat looks like a solid pick. Manoj Bajpayee has done this kind of role well before, and with a tight story and a sharp setting, this could be a late-night watch you will not want to pause.
Gajab Raat premieres on Netflix on October 23, 2026.