Aranyak Season 1 is an eight-episode Netflix crime thriller from December 2021, starring Raveena Tandon, Parambrata Chatterjee and Ashutosh Rana. Our review: strong leads, a moody Himachal setting and a gripping first half, let down by too many subplots and a weak finale. Season 2 is not happening, as Raveena confirmed in 2025.
Aranyak was Raveena Tandon’s first web series, and it remains one of the better-known Indian whodunits on Netflix. Here is our review, along with the facts you need before you watch.
Aranyak Season 1: quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Platform | Netflix |
| Release date | 10 December 2021 |
| Episodes | 8 (about 37 to 48 minutes each) |
| Director | Vinay Waikul |
| Creators and writers | Charudutt Acharya, Rohan Sippy |
| Producers | Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ramesh Sippy, Rohan Sippy |
| Production | Ramesh Sippy Entertainment, Roy Kapur Films |
| Genre | Crime, mystery, thriller |
What is Aranyak about?
The story is set in Sironah, a fictional, cold and misty town in Himachal Pradesh. Raveena Tandon plays Kasturi Dogra, the local SHO, who has applied for a year’s leave to look after her family.
Parambrata Chatterjee plays Angad Malik, the officer sent to replace her. Before Kasturi can leave, a case lands at the station. A teenage girl, Aimee, who came to Sironah for the holidays with her mother, a foreign national, is found dead.
The two officers, who do not get along at first, are forced to work together. The investigation starts pointing towards a serial killer, and the clues get tangled with local folklore about a half-man, half-leopard creature that the villagers fear.
Aranyak cast and characters
- Raveena Tandon as Kasturi Dogra, the SHO of Sironah
- Parambrata Chatterjee as Angad Malik, the officer replacing her
- Ashutosh Rana as Mahadev Dogra
- Zakir Hussain as Kuber Manhas
- Meghna Malik as Jagdamba Dumal
- Indraneil Sengupta as Ravi Parashar
- Taneesha Joshi as Nutan Dogra
- Anna Ador as Aimee Baptiste and Breshna Khan as Julie Baptiste
Aranyak Season 1 review: what works
The performances are the main reason to watch. Raveena Tandon is convincing in both halves of Kasturi’s life, the slightly clumsy home-maker and the committed cop who cannot let a case go. It is a role that gives her space, and she uses it well.
Parambrata Chatterjee is a good match as the outsider officer, and the friction between the two leads keeps the early episodes moving. Ashutosh Rana, as Mahadev Dogra, adds weight to every scene he is in without ever raising his voice.
The setting also helps. Snowy hills, dark forests and fog-covered roads suit a story built on myths and fear. The folklore angle gives the show its own flavour among Indian crime thrillers.
What does not work
Length is the biggest problem. Eight episodes is a lot for this story, and the show fills the time with too many side characters and subplots, some of which go nowhere.
The build-up to the killer’s reveal is strong, but the finale drops off sharply. After all the tension, the ending feels rushed and less satisfying than the episodes that lead up to it.
Things to know before you watch
- Runtime: eight episodes of roughly 37 to 48 minutes, so the full season takes about five to six hours.
- Tone: it is a slow-burn investigation, not a fast action thriller. The first two episodes take time to set up the town and its people.
- Content: the case involves the murder of a teenager, so some scenes are dark and disturbing. It is not a show for young children.
- Language: the original is in Hindi; Netflix offers subtitles.
Raveena Tandon’s OTT debut
Aranyak was Raveena Tandon’s first digital project, and it worked well for her. The role of a small-town cop juggling family and a career gave her a layered part with both comic and serious shades, and the Filmfare OTT win for Best Actress in a Drama Series confirmed that the gamble paid off.
What critics and awards said
Reviews were mostly positive about the cast. The Times of India praised the chemistry between Raveena and Parambrata, The Hindu praised Raveena’s performance and the writing, and NDTV singled out Ashutosh Rana’s low-key performance. The Indian Express praised Raveena’s range but called the show inconsistent.
At the 2022 Filmfare OTT Awards, Aranyak got five nominations. Raveena Tandon won Best Actress in a Drama Series.
Is there an Aranyak Season 2?
No. In July 2025, Raveena Tandon told Hindustan Times that a second season is not happening, as reported by Bollywood Hungama. She said she believed a season two had been written, but suggested the team could not crack a script strong enough to match expectations. So Aranyak stays a one-season show.
Should you watch Aranyak in 2026?
Yes, if you enjoy slow-burn small-town mysteries and strong lead performances. Go in knowing the middle sags and the ending is weaker than the setup. Since there is no second season, you also get a complete story in eight episodes. For more, browse our series and reviews pages.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Aranyak?
Aranyak is a Netflix original series. All eight episodes of season 1 stream on Netflix in India.
Is Aranyak season 2 coming?
No. Raveena Tandon said in July 2025 that Aranyak season 2 is not happening.
Who is the killer in Aranyak?
We are not spoiling it here. The killer’s identity is revealed in the final episode, and it is worth going in without knowing.
Where was Aranyak set?
The show is set in Sironah, a fictional hill town in Himachal Pradesh.
Sources: Wikipedia: Aranyak (TV series), Bollywood Hungama.
