A Nawazuddin Siddiqu sequel is very good.

 "Raat Akil Hai: The Bansal Murders" (2025) is actually five years after the original "Raat Akil Hai" (2020), but has retained most of the atmosphere.  Much of the same crew and especially Nawazuddin Siddique as Detective Jatil Yada who seems to be able to irritate someone(s).  Radika Apte had been in the previous film and had been abused mistress that the detective had saved from suicide.

Detective Jatil is called for a relatively simple death, but before too long most of a family is murdered.  There are two immediate suspects, one of them dead and it takes awhile to untangle confusing factors.  In the meantime we learn the family had been very successful in the newspaper business.  

Jatil irritates a forensic expert  Dr. Panicker and some family connections as they all assume he has ulterior motives, but our hero is one of those few dedicated to uncovering the truth.  In the end he does determine the guilt, but also stirs up some family resentment.  The guilt is not staring in view, but understanding the motivation is a bit complex.

A successful formula was more or less repeated demonstrating the value of the cast and crew.

Honey Trehen was the director, apparently his first attempt was the predecessor , but he does have a lot of experience as a casting director including such films as "Omkara" (2006), "Talvar" (2015), "Udta Punjab" (2016), "Raes" (2017) and "Sonchiriya" (2019).  He gained directorial experience as assistant or second unit director. 

Smita Singh provided the story and did the dialogue as well as the script.  She had worked as writer, and assistant director for some television programs.  Smita wrote three episodes of "Sacred Games" (2018-19) and "Raat Akeli Hai" (2020)

Karan Kulkarni had written and or performed music for such films as "Shahid" (2012), "English Vinglish" (2012) "Aligarh" (2015) and "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" (2020) "Sukhee" (2023) and "The Buckingham Murders" (2024).

Sirsha Ray was the cinematographer.  He has 65 cinematography credits, 2 for camera and electrical department and 1 for writing including "Human" (2022).

Tanya Chhabria was the editor.  She has 71 credits for editor, 4 for the editorial department and 1 for directing.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui played Detective Jatil Yadav.  The son of a farmer he became a chemist.  A long time playing minor roles before being recognized as an exceptional actor.  He played an aggressive obnoxious policeman in "Kahanni" (2012) blowing smoke in the face of a pregnant woman.  He played an obsequious role in "The Lunchbox" (2013).  Perhaps better known for gangster films like "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012) and the tv series "Sacred Games" (2018-19).  Other interesting roles include "Manto" (2018) and "Photograph" (2019).  In "Raat Akeli Hai" he is a tough detective in a delicate political situation and with his mother who is concerned he is too fussy to get married.  A more recent credit was for "Afwah" (2023).  Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/09/nawazuddin-siddiqui.html 

Radhika Apte played Radha, as a romantic interest.  An economics and Mathematics graduate Radhika eased into films with different languages including Bengali, Hindi, Telegu, Tamil, Marathi, English and Malayalam.  She won awards and critical acclaim including a film with Nawazuddin, "Manjhi:  The Mountain Man" (2015).  She also shared space in "Sacred Games" (2018-19).  Other noted films include ""Pad Man (2018) "Lust Stories" (2018, "A Call to Spy" (2020) and "Monica, O My Darling" (2022).

Chitrangda Singh played Meera, one of the suspects.  She attracted attention as a model.  Chitrangda has 27 acting credits, 1 for the music department and 1 for producing including "Yeh Saali Zindagi" (2011), Inkaar" (2018), "Baazaar (2018) and "Soorma" (2018).

Revathi  played the forensic expert, Dr. Panicker.   She got a start from a school fashion show that got the attention of a film maker.  Revathi has 151 acting credits and 7 as director including "Ab Tak Chhalppan" (2004)"Nishabd" (2007),  "Margarita with a Straw" (2014) , "2 States" (2014), "Power Paandi" (2017), "Virus" (2019) and "The Diplomat" (2025) see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/07/2-states-new-favorite.html

Rajat Kapoor played Director General of Police Sameer Verma.  He has 84 acting credits, 14 for directing and 10 for writing including "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001), "Monsoon Wedding" (2002), "Khoya Khoya Chand" (2007), "Dasvidaiya" (2008)"Midnight's Children" (2012), "Ankhon Dekhi" (2013), "Drishyam" (2015), "Kapoor & Sons" (2016), "Drishyam 2" (2022), "Saare Jahan Se Accha" (2025) and "Raid 2" (2025).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/11/driishyam-bollywood-remake-masterpiece.html

Can be viewed subtitled or dubbed on Netflix.  If you like well presented clever mysteries "Raat Akeli Hai:  The Bansal Murders" is a very good choice.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.