What Is Raees About?
The premise of Raees in 306 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a bustling metropolis where the clink of bottles and whispered deals drift through neon‑lit alleys, the city lives on the edge of legality and longing. The underground pulse of illicit alcohol fuels both the economy of the streets and the ambitions of those daring enough to shape it, casting a glossy yet dangerous glow over everyday life. The atmosphere is a mix of gritty realism and vibrant swagger, a world where survival hinges on wit as much as on firepower.
Raees emerges from this world as a charismatic force, raised in a modest town where his mother taught him that every honest trade holds dignity. Guided by that simple yet powerful belief, he builds a thriving enterprise that blurs the line between entrepreneurship and outlawry. His sharp intellect and relentless drive make him both a benefactor to his community and a target for those who would see his empire crumble. By his side stands a loyal confidant, a partnership forged in shared struggle and street‑wise pragmatism.
Across the law’s thin veneer, ACP Majmudar patrols the city with a steadfast sense of duty, determined to dismantle the very network that Raees commands. His approach is methodical, his resolve unshakable, painting him as the moral counterweight to the thriving underground. Their inevitable clash is less a battle of bullets than a high‑stakes chess game, each move revealing the thin line between order and chaos.
Amid the tension, Raees finds a softer anchor in Aasiya, whose presence adds depth to his otherwise hardened exterior. Their bond hints at a life beyond the shadows, offering a glimpse of hope and vulnerability in a realm defined by power plays. As the city’s pulse quickens, both men are drawn into a relentless dance of ambition, law, and survival, leaving the audience eager to see which side the scales will finally tip.
What Happens in Raees?
The complete story of Raees, from the first scene to the last, in 614 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
Raees, played by Shah Rukh Khan, hails from Fatehpur, Gujarat, where he becomes embroiled in the illegal liquor trade at a young age. Partnering with Sadiq (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), Raees works under the infamous gangster Jairaj (Atul Kulkarni), engaging in alcohol smuggling by bribing police officials. Despite his involvement in crime, Raees adheres to his mother’s teachings (Sheeba Chaddha) that all professions are valuable and no religion surpasses the dignity of work, as long as it causes no harm.
Determined to break free from Jairaj’s control, Raees decides to go solo, feeling that he does all the hard work while Jairaj reaps the rewards. However, when Raees approaches Jairaj about his plans, he is insulted and told he lacks the necessary funds to start his own enterprise, with Jairaj giving him just 72 hours to gather the cash needed to purchase liquor from him.
In a bid to raise money, Raees attempts goat sales in Mumbai, where he encounters Musabhai (Narendra Jha) and Nawab (Jaideep Ahlawat), who agree to support his ambitions. With their help, he embarks on a bootlegging venture and decides to buy liquor directly from Jairaj’s suppliers, sidelining his former boss. Meanwhile, the honest police officer J. A. Majmudar (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is intent on putting an end to the illegal liquor trade.
Amidst this turmoil, Raees falls in love with Aasiya (Mahira Khan), who happily accepts his marriage proposal. Shortly after their marriage, Majmudar is assigned to Fatehpur, launching a harsh campaign against illegal liquor dealers, compelling them to collaborate—with the exception of Raees. Despite Majmudar’s efforts to gather information about Raees’ activities, Raees skillfully evades capture while continuing his illicit operations.
Tensions escalate as Jairaj, feeling threatened by Raees’ growing independence, plots to have him killed. But thanks to Musa’s warning, Raees manages to survive an assassination attempt, leading him to kill Jairaj and his henchmen at a bar. This act shatters Raees’ guiding philosophy.
As the narrative unfolds, Majmudar is transferred from Fatehpur to Kutch, creating further complications. However, the Chief Minister (Pramod Pathak) and Pashabhai (Uday Tikekar) see Raees as a valuable ally, providing him with support in terms of liquor and finances. Raees leverages his wealth and cunning to gain favour with the authorities, even empowering women in his community by providing jobs sewing cloth bags for smuggling purposes.
When Aasiya gives birth to a baby boy, Raees is offered an opportunity to lead a housing project. As Raees envisions a brighter future for his community with abundant opportunities and a flourishing environment, he encourages local residents to invest in a better tomorrow through affordable housing.
However, Majmudar’s return to Fatehpur as the head of the crime unit brings renewed pressure on Raees. Amid growing civil unrest, Raees distributes free food throughout the city, heavily impacting his finances. The Chief Minister views him as a threat to his political agenda, shutting down Raees’ housing development.
As Raees struggles to maintain his empire amidst the economic downturn and rising tensions, Moosa steps in with an offer to smuggle gold from Doha. Though he repays his housing investors, tragedy strikes when Raees discovers the smuggled gold is laced with explosive RDX, unexpectedly implicating him in a series of devastating bomb blasts.
Confronted with the consequences of his actions and now regarded as a target by Majmudar, Raees finds himself morally crushed. After feeling betrayed by Moosa—who played a role in the chaos—Raees retaliates by taking Moosa’s life. Under orders to shoot Raees on sight, Majmudar ultimately takes him to a secluded area, where he confronts Raees. As Majmudar pulls the trigger, Raees experiences a poignant flashback, reflecting on the trajectory of his life as he succumbs to his fate.
Raees Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Raees' Beginnings in Fatehpur” to “Final Showdown with Majmudar”. 5 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Raees' Beginnings in Fatehpur
Raees, a young man from Fatehpur, Gujarat, becomes involved in the illegal liquor trade early in his life. He is deeply influenced by his mother's teachings that emphasize the dignity of all professions.
Where:Fatehpur, Gujarat
- 2
Partnership with Sadiq
Raees partners with Sadiq and works under the notorious gangster Jairaj. Together, they engage in alcohol smuggling, relying on bribery to evade police scrutiny while navigating this dangerous criminal underworld.
- 3
Breaking Free from Jairaj
Frustrated by his reliance on Jairaj, Raees decides to pursue his own path. He confronts Jairaj about his ambitions, only to be insulted and challenged to gather funds within 72 hours to break away from him.
- 4
Expanding Ventures in Mumbai
In a quest to raise money, Raees travels to Mumbai and attempts goat sales. There, he meets Musabhai and Nawab, who become key allies in his new bootlegging venture that circumvents Jairaj.
Where:Mumbai
- 5
Falling in Love with Aasiya
Amidst his criminal undertakings, Raees finds love in Aasiya and proposes to her. Their marriage represents a moment of personal happiness for Raees, even as his criminal life intensifies.
- 6
Majmudar's Anti-Crime Campaign
Honest officer J. A. Majmudar is assigned to Fatehpur, initiating a tough crackdown on illegal liquor operations. Despite his relentless pursuit of Raees, Raees cleverly manages to evade capture while maintaining his illicit activities.
Where:Fatehpur
- 7
Assassination Attempt and Revenge
Under pressure from his former boss Jairaj, who feels threatened by Raees' independence, an assassination plot is launched against him. Raees survives the attempt and takes revenge by killing Jairaj and his henchmen, which marks a pivotal change in his character.
Where:Bar
- 8
Changes and New Alliances
With Majmudar transferred, Raees gains support from powerful political figures including the Chief Minister. His illegal operations thrive as he forms alliances, using his influence to empower local women in the community.
- 9
Birth of Raees' Son
Aasiya gives birth to a baby boy, further solidifying Raees' commitment to his family and community. He seizes an opportunity to lead a housing project to uplift and provide for his people.
- 10
Majmudar Returns to Fatehpur
Majmudar's return as the head of the crime unit signals a new wave of challenges for Raees. With rising tensions and civil unrest, Raees attempts to support the community by distributing free food, causing financial strain.
Where:Fatehpur
Show the other 4 events of Raees Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Housing Project Cut Short
The Chief Minister views Raees as a political threat and shuts down his housing development project. This decision leads Raees to grapple with maintaining his empire amidst increasing instability.
- 12
Tragic Smuggling Operation
Desperation leads Raees to collaborate with Moosa for a smuggling operation involving gold. Tragically, the gold is revealed to be laced with explosives, implicating Raees in catastrophic bomb blasts.
- 13
Betrayal and Confrontation
Feeling betrayed by Moosa after the disastrous events, Raees retaliates by taking Moosa's life. This act further isolates him and puts him directly in the crosshairs of Majmudar.
- 14
Final Showdown with Majmudar
Faced with a death sentence from Majmudar, Raees encounters him in a secluded area. As Majmudar pulls the trigger, Raees experiences a poignant flashback, reflecting on his tumultuous life as he faces his fate.
Who Are the Main Characters in Raees?
4 characters, among them Raees, J. A. Majmudar and Aasiya: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- R
Raees
Raees, portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan, is a driven and resourceful man who transforms from a small-time dealer into a powerful figure within the illegal liquor trade. His determination to succeed often places him at odds with law enforcement, yet he remains committed to his community's welfare, highlighting his complex morality.
- 👨💼 Protagonist
- 💪 Resilient
- JA
J. A. Majmudar
Majmudar, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is an honest and relentless police officer dedicated to eradicating illegal activities. His moral integrity contrasts sharply with Raees' world, and he represents the law's persistent struggle against corruption, ultimately becoming a significant adversary to Raees.
- 👮♂️ Antagonist
- ⚖️ Justice
- A
Aasiya
Aasiya, portrayed by Mahira Khan, is Raees' love interest who embodies support and nurturing amidst Raees' chaotic life. Her character represents resilience and the human side of Raees, motivating him to dream about a better future for their family and community.
- 💖 Love Interest
- 🌼 Supportive
- M
Moosa
Moosa is a pivotal character in Raees' life, initially appearing as an ally but ultimately betraying him. His actions lead to significant turmoil for Raees, showcasing the theme of betrayal and the precarious nature of alliances in the criminal underworld.
- 🤝 Ally
- 🔪 Betrayer
Where and When Is Raees Set?
Raees is set in Fatehpur, Gujarat, Mumbai and Kutch. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting the societal issues related to organized crime and corruption in modern India. It explores the dynamics of the illegal liquor trade, showcasing the struggles between crime and law enforcement in the present day.
Where
Fatehpur, Gujarat, Mumbai, Kutch
Fatehpur is a bustling town in Gujarat known for its vibrant culture and emerging trade activities. The movie highlights the challenges and underground operations within the illegal liquor trade in this region. Mumbai serves as a contrast with its metropolitan dynamics, while Kutch represents a more rural area facing its own socio-economic issues.
- 🌆 City
- 🚢 Trade
What Are the Themes of Raees?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Morality, Betrayal and Ambition.
-
01
Morality
The theme of morality is central to Raees' character, illustrating the conflict between his criminal activities and his mother's teachings about dignity in work. As Raees embraces the illegal liquor trade, he grapples with ethical dilemmas that challenge his values, ultimately leading to his downfall.
-
02
Betrayal
Betrayal plays a significant role in the narrative, as Raees navigates relationships with those he once trusted. The betrayal by Moosa, who aids in his ruin, ultimately drives Raees to take desperate actions that lead to tragic consequences, emphasizing the volatility of loyalty in the criminal underworld.
-
03
Ambition
Ambition fuels Raees' journey, pushing him to rise from an illegal liquor dealer to a figure of authority in his community. His aspirations for better living conditions for his people reveal a complex character who, despite his criminal means, desires positive change and development for those he serves.
What Kind of Film Is Raees?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A gritty and tense crime saga that charts the bloody rise and tragic fall of a morally compromised bootlegger, set against a corrupt system and driven by a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with a relentless police officer.
- gritty
- tense
- determined
- tragic
- atmospheric
- confrontational
- crime empire
- bootlegging
- corruption
- rise and fall
Content notes: assassination attempt, graphic murder, police brutality, explosions.
Quiz
How well do you remember Raees? Test yourself on the story.
