Raid
After receiving an anonymous tip, a tax officer leads a raid on the mansion of the most powerful figure in Lucknow, a member of parliament who has been evading income tax for years.
Despite its small-scale budget of $4.7M, Raid became a commercial success, earning $18.0M worldwide—a 283% return. The film's innovative storytelling found its audience, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Raid (2018) exemplifies carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Raj Kumar Gupta's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Amay Patnaik is introduced as an incorruptible IRS officer with a reputation for unwavering integrity, living a simple life with his wife Malini despite his position of authority.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Amay receives official orders to conduct an income tax raid on Tauji's mansion in Lucknow, a case that promises to be his most challenging yet given the target's political connections and power.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Amay and his team arrive at Tauji's sprawling mansion and officially begin the raid, crossing the threshold into enemy territory where Tauji controls nearly everything and the battle of wills truly begins., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat A major breakthrough occurs when the team discovers a significant cache of black money hidden in the mansion's structure. This false victory seems to validate the raid, but immediately raises the stakes as Tauji escalates his counterattack, making it clear the real battle is just beginning., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Amay receives word that serious threats have been made against his wife Malini, and political pressure from the highest levels demands he abort the raid immediately. Isolated and exhausted, with his team demoralized and his family in danger, Amay faces his darkest moment where continuing seems impossible., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Amay receives confirmation that his wife supports him completely despite the danger, and he realizes that surrendering now would betray everything he stands for. With renewed clarity, he commits to seeing the raid through to completion, galvanizing his team for the final push., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Raid's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Raid against these established plot points, we can identify how Raj Kumar Gupta utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Raid within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Amay Patnaik is introduced as an incorruptible IRS officer with a reputation for unwavering integrity, living a simple life with his wife Malini despite his position of authority.
Theme
A colleague or superior remarks about the cost of honesty in a corrupt system, foreshadowing the personal price Amay will pay for his principles and establishing the film's central conflict between integrity and compromise.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of 1980s India's bureaucratic world, Amay's methods and reputation, his relationship with his wife, and the introduction of the target: Tauji, a politically powerful businessman rumored to have massive amounts of black money.
Disruption
Amay receives official orders to conduct an income tax raid on Tauji's mansion in Lucknow, a case that promises to be his most challenging yet given the target's political connections and power.
Resistance
Amay assembles his raid team, briefs them on the dangers ahead, and prepares for the operation. Initial intelligence gathering reveals the scale of Tauji's wealth and influence. Warnings come from multiple sources about the political repercussions of proceeding.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Amay and his team arrive at Tauji's sprawling mansion and officially begin the raid, crossing the threshold into enemy territory where Tauji controls nearly everything and the battle of wills truly begins.
Mirror World
First substantive confrontation between Amay and Tauji, where the latter's charming but menacing personality is revealed. Tauji represents what Amay could become if he compromised - wealthy, powerful, but morally bankrupt. This relationship will carry the film's thematic weight.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game between Amay and Tauji intensifies. The team searches the mansion methodically while Tauji employs various tactics: offering bribes, making veiled threats, using political connections to create interference, and testing Amay's resolve at every turn. Initial discoveries of hidden cash build momentum.
Midpoint
A major breakthrough occurs when the team discovers a significant cache of black money hidden in the mansion's structure. This false victory seems to validate the raid, but immediately raises the stakes as Tauji escalates his counterattack, making it clear the real battle is just beginning.
Opposition
Tauji's political allies mobilize against Amay. Local officials attempt to shut down the raid, threats are directed at Amay's family, team members face pressure to quit, and physical exhaustion sets in as the raid extends beyond 24 hours. Amay's principles are tested as every tactic is used to break him.
Collapse
Amay receives word that serious threats have been made against his wife Malini, and political pressure from the highest levels demands he abort the raid immediately. Isolated and exhausted, with his team demoralized and his family in danger, Amay faces his darkest moment where continuing seems impossible.
Crisis
Amay grapples with the weight of his decision, questioning whether his principles are worth the cost to those he loves. A moment of doubt and introspection where he must decide what he truly stands for and whether one man can make a difference against systemic corruption.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Amay receives confirmation that his wife supports him completely despite the danger, and he realizes that surrendering now would betray everything he stands for. With renewed clarity, he commits to seeing the raid through to completion, galvanizing his team for the final push.
Synthesis
The team makes their final, comprehensive search and uncovers the full extent of Tauji's hidden wealth. Amay methodically documents everything according to procedure, ensuring the case is legally airtight. The final confrontation between Amay and Tauji reveals the total sum recovered, and despite all opposition, the raid is successfully completed.
Transformation
Amay returns home to his wife, still the same simple, honest man, but now proven that integrity can prevail even against overwhelming corruption and power. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows a man who has validated his principles at great cost and emerged victorious.