Andhadhun is a 2018 dark comedy thriller directed by Sriram Raghavan with a whopping 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In a nutshell, the movie, set in Pune, is about a seemingly blind character whose only motive is to excel in becoming a pianist in London, yet somehow gets involved in a labyrinth of lies and the murder of a retired actor, Pramod. The film stars Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte and Anil Dhawan all of whom justified the role assigned. Raghavan in an interview with Times of India called Andhadhun “a fun film in the macabre sense of the word”, with moments of “wickedness and brutality”. The movie took home five Filmfare Awards, including Best Film (Critics) and Best Actor (Critics) for Khurrana, and four Screen Awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay. Additionally, it took home three National Film Awards: Best Screenplay, Best Actor for Khurrana, and Best Feature Film in Hindi.
This review explores the film’s structure, character motivations, use of space, and cinematic framing that builds tension and keeps viewers guessing until the very end.
A Twisted Narrative
A complex, multi-layered narrative framework that alternates between comedy, suspense, and dark satire is the foundation of Andhadhun. Fundamentally, the plot follows a traditional ‘Hitchcock’ technique in which the tension is created by contrasting the audience’s knowledge with the character’s knowledge. Since Akash’s eyesight becomes the pivotal point for every twist, the “blindness” motif is essential to the story. The story of the movie is episodic and non-linear, alternating between unexpected events like a darkly humorous symphony. The drama feels suspenseful and unpredictable because of the episodic nature, which gives each twist space to land with full effect and allows each character’s moral difficulty to develop organically.
The story structure is supported by each of the main characters. In addition to his skills and motivations, Akash’s character development is written with several “layers,” including his evolving ethics. Simi, a character created by Tabu, adds a moral dimension to the story, strengthening it even more. She transforms from a conventional wife to a terrifying, ethically dubious character, making her one of the most fascinating characters. With each moral concession they make, these two characters create a complex narrative, shattering the conventional roles of hero and villain and placing the audience in a morally tense void.
A Designer’s Takeaway
Snigdha Karmahe, Andhadhun’s production designer, has undoubtedly fulfilled all the checkboxes required to create the setting of such a twisted movie. She created a distinctive architectural experience in which every location supports the story’s central ideas. Three locations—Simi’s flat, Akash’s house, and the hospital—reflect the film’s evolving moral environment. Using space as a narrative and psychological tool, each design decision immerses the observer in a morally complicated drama. In Andhadhun, the production design and architecture serve as more than just scenery; they are dynamic, evocative participants in the drama that is being told. Let’s dive into the production design and architectural symbolism in Andhadhun, focusing on how these elements contribute to the film’s tone, themes, and character dynamics.
- Simi and Pramod’s luxurious yet deceptive flat:
Simi and Pramod’s apartment is swathed in shades of blue, evoking an almost clinical tranquillity that contrasts sharply with Simi’s dark, chaotic inner life. This colour scheme suggests an attempt to project a calm, composed façade, masking the turbulence and self-interest beneath. The serene blue imparts an inviting sense of comfort, luring those who enter into a false sense of security, obscuring her lack of remorse or guilt. Given that the flat originally belonged to Pramod, a retired actor, the walls are adorned with posters from his past films, allowing viewers to see him as a character steeped in nostalgia and clinging to his former fame. Elements of gold in the interior décor add hints of extravagance, indicating the couple’s preference for a lavish lifestyle despite the apartment’s otherwise subdued tones. Together, these elements create a layered environment that subtly mirrors the characters’ personalities and hidden motives.
- Akash’s modest and aspirational house:
Akash lives in an NGO for the blind with his monthly rent being Rs. 500 only. His abode is more humble, resembling a mundane, striving artist’s life. It has a middle-class look that seems “lived-in” but not luxury, with hints of aspiration in the form of minimal art and a subdued colour palette. This establishes Akash as someone grounded in a humble reality, who is not completely secure yet aspires to something more. The house has a lot of open space and fewer barriers between rooms, which is in direct contrast to Simi’s closed calculated surroundings. This openness becomes important as Akash’s existence is interrupted by deception, with his “home” setting becoming much darker and strange as he delves deeper into the story’s moral complexity.
- The dilapidated hospital:
The hospital in Andhadhun is depicted in a poor, nearly destroyed state. The collapsing walls, gloomy lighting, and dirty design create an unsettling sense of abandonment, representing society’s deteriorating moral fibre. It also contrasts sharply with Akash’s clean-cut environment and Simi’s perfectly manicured area, plunging him (and the audience) into a darker, more primitive milieu. This location underscores the notion that the moral terrain Akash has inhabited is as fractured as the physical space around him. The decaying hospital serves as a crucible for the film’s most savage encounters, exposing all of the individuals’ secret motivations and darkest actions. It transforms into a survival stage, with its wild, unstructured design mirroring the story’s unravelling.
Partial Views and Restricted Frames: Many situations are framed to provide just partial views, which heightens suspense by concealing specific features. This method reflects Akash’s restricted vision, blurring what he “sees” and what he perceives.
Mirrors & Reflections: Raghavan frequently used mirrors or glass to depict numerous layers of action, gently reflecting the characters’ hidden motivations and deceitful façade. Simi’s mirror, for example, is frequently used to suggest her deception.
Andhadhun stands out for its superb narrative framework in which plot twists, character arcs, and visual framing along with sets are methodically planned to create an unpredictable story. Sriram Raghavan employs a combination of dark humour, tension, and moral ambiguity to create a cinematic experience that seems like a meticulously designed architectural marvel—layered, intricate, and full of hidden corridors. This twisted storyline keeps the audience engaged, resulting in Andhadhun being a suspenseful, exhilarating trip with surprises around every corner.
References:
- Wikipedia contributors (2024) Andhadhun. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhadhun.
