Andhadhun Movie Review: The Sriram Raghavan Film is Racy, Pacy Thriller

Andhadhun’s first half is simply out of this world! The introduction of the characters is great and soon, the plot begins to unfold. There are surprises after every 10-15 minutes.The intermission point raises tension levels significantly. The second half begins with a bang and even a shocker. Although this hour also keeps the viewers gripped, the film begins to drop and get unconvincing. The proceedings become far-fetched which is not the case in the first half. Newer characters are added while a significant character from the first half gets sidelined. In fact, the first and second halves seem like two different films. The climax is interesting and watch out for the final scene!

With Johnny Gaddar (2007), Sriram Raghavan came up with a pulpy reminisce of 70s, similarly Andhadhun strikes as a pulpy wicked crime thriller. In a peculiar sequence, blood and wine gets embroiled and so is a blind piaono player in a murder. Sriram Raghavan presents a humorous connotations of underlying darkness (with a curve). The black-and-white themes are sprouted across whether the piano keys, a cat or a chess board on the table emerge as as elements which later on ply the plot.

If there's one hindi film you MUST watch, it is #Andhadhun. By far the best film this year. Sriram Raghavan is a genius! @ayushmannk @radhika_apte @tabuism and the rest of the cast (especially the cop) are superlative. Hope this one is a massive success!

— suyashtrivedi (@suyashtrivedi) October 4, 2018

It’s witty as well as intelligent while providing a wholesome entertainment. It tickles intellectual stimulation with meticulously designed frames (also in terms of Costumes and Production Design), one needs to keep an eye open throughout. On the whole, Andhadhun is a thriller par excellence. Very rarely does Bollywood deliver a thriller that shocks and stuns you so well. Although the second half does drop, the impact is made and this would surely result in a good word of mouth.

Ayushmann Khurrana has done unconventional but mostly light films till now. Andhadhun is his first intense flick and he excels. This is a very challenging role as his character has lot of shades and a secret to hide. But he puts up an excellent act. Radhika Apte plays a chirpy character and delivers a fine performance. Sadly, she has very little to do in the second half. Anil Dhawan is terrific and leaves a mark. Manav Vij’s entry scene is chilling and notice how he conveys a lot merely with his eyes. Zakir Hussain is quite quirky and contributes to the fun quotient.

I have seen #SriramRaghavan struggle, sacrifice, yet stay incorruptible and triumph with his movies. To honor his journey, go watch #AndhaDhun at cinemas. It is the best film you will see this year and probably the next year too. pic.twitter.com/JABXYEXt9r

— Atul Sabharwal (@sabharwalatul) October 4, 2018

It’s like a symphony, the more patient and attentive you’re, the more it submerges within. Doesn’t have a racy pace and a deliberate chaos might act as a speedbreaker for a seemless viewing. But then, like symphony isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – Andhadhun adheres to the attentive viewer. It’s the pulp which thoroughly keeps you at edge-of-the-seat.

Radhika Apte