An inspector, Rishi, loses his eyesight in one eye during a shootout, fails to save his girlfriend and gets transferred into a jungle area where he must have to solve the cases behind the myths.
Episodes
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date
1
"The Huntress"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
When a wildlife photographer’s mysterious death is blamed on a deadly forest spirit called Vanaratchi, Crime Branch Inspector Rishi Nandhan is sent to Thaenkaadu to investigate the case, along with sub-inspectors Ayyanar and Chitra.
2
"Devil is in the Details"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
The lack of physical evidence and the supernatural phenomena around the murder case baffles everyone. Rishi is haunted by a mysterious ghost from his past. Meanwhile, the Vanaratchi claims another victim.
3
"In the Shadows"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
During a search for an abducted man inside the forest, police sniffer dogs get scared and behave wildly. Rishi and the team consult an entomologist regarding webspinner insects. Meanwhile, a handmade Vanaratchi doll mysteriously ends up in the hands of a little girl.
4
"What Lies Beneath"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
Rishi and Ayyanar have a clash of opinions. Fear spreads throughout the village as more Vanaratchi sightings are reported. Sathya assigns beat officer Kathy to help Rishi and his team in the investigation.
5
"Something Wicked"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
Sathya and Irfan try to track down poachers who conduct illegal activities in the forest. A forest night vision camera captures a horrifying video. Villagers hold an urgent panchayat meeting. Rishi and his team arrest a suspect and question her.
6
"The Ties That Bind"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
Panic strikes when Kathy and another forest guard go missing in the forest during a routine night patrol. Rishi’s traumatic past with Viji is revealed. Meanwhile, a young village woman gets a visit from the Vanaratchi.
7
"Deliver Us from Evil"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
The exorcism of a Vanaratchi-possessed woman gets interrupted by a group of unruly villagers. While Rishi digs deep and studies the victimology, Chitra and Ayyanar lock horns and get into a heated argument.
8
"The Darkest Hour"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
Sathya and Irfan are abducted and tortured by poachers. While the rescue team searches for them in the forest, Rishi, Kathy, Ayyanar and Chitra conduct an investigation of their own to find the two officers before it’s too late.
9
"The Secret Cavern"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
Rishi, Ayyanar, Chitra and Sathya venture into a dark and mysterious cave to investigate a crime scene. The truth behind the tribal people’s deadly ritual is revealed. Kathy decides to confess her love to Rishi.
10
"Close Encounters"
J.S. Nandhini
J.S. Nandhini
29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)
One major clue in the investigation leads Rishi to find shocking revelations and discoveries. The team realises that the lives of many innocent people are at stake if they don’t do something soon.
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV stated "What Inspector Rishi does with great skill is probe the myths and ingrained belief systems that inevitably exist on the boundaries of a world of human greed and exploitation."[5]
Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu stated "Unlike anything seen in the Tamil horror space, the vanaratchi makes for a fascinating horror subject, and having such a unique spectre in a setting like a forest helps a horror series that consciously shies away from the routine genre tropes like jump scares and gore. But though horror fans may not have many complaints, Inspector Rishi isn’t quite the best investigative thriller out there."[6]
Chirag Sehgal of News18 rated the series 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "The series plays out like a slow-burner getting us impatient at times, but the screenplay (although I could not see why it should not have been shorter) does effectively create an eerie atmosphere. And the jungle setting bathed in mist and mystery sends shivers down our spines."[7]
Sonal Pandya for Times Now rated the series 3 out of 5 and wrote, "The dialogue is mostly expository, but it lays the groundwork for each episode."[8]
Janani K for India Today wrote "‘Inspector Rishi’ fails in this aspect as the twists and turns remind us of many Tamil films, including ‘Whistle’. The show could have been a little more taut for it to have maximum impact."[9]
Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in stated, "Several characters are plagued by terrifying visions, which convince them that Vanaratachi is on the rampage, even as human villains do their work."[10]
Aswin Devan of Cinema Express awarded 3 stars to the series and wrote that "The show follows the formula of a police procedural: expository table discussions about the case, mysteries being unravelled as a new mystery evolves, red herrings, and chase sequences. However, Inspector Rishi excels in depicting the complexities and inner turmoils of the characters beyond the apparent chills."[11]
