Movie Review: Andhadhun...a whole array of notes

Ever since I learnt of the movie's title being a play on its chief protagonist - a blind pianist, Andhadhun was on my hit-list of movies to watch out for. Add to it the fact that this one was directed by Sriram Raghavan, a director who excels in making things racy and pacy, it promised to be a lot of fun. For its first half, Andhadhun is actually a masterclass in film making, rarely striking a false note. Its the second half that has some jarring tones that take it from quirky to bloody dark yet manages to redeem itself by the end. All in all, Andhadhun is unlike anything you are likely to witness in a movie hall.

Its best to go 'blind' if you don't know anything about this movie yet. Saying anything gives something away so I'll be extra cautious here. The first half is pure bliss. A brief introduction to its characters gives way to seemingly slow proceedings but you can't help but feel something is about to give. There's a startling revelation early in the game, making you wonder what more the movie could have in store. However, there's plenty of thrills to be had. The setup and proceedings in the movie will have you glued with breathless anticipation, not quite sure what to expect next. Joyfully that's the entire first half. Within that you get the trademark Sriram Raghavan nod to old hindi cinema as well as to Beethoven. So much happens in the first half that you wonder if there's enough for the second act. There are moments here and there that would simply get lost if you aren't paying attention. The movie doesn't rely on blaring background score to make its impact - an offbeat piano note does that just fine. 

While the second half also has enough packed into it, the direction it takes, brings it down relatively, especially with the high standards the initial setup creates. There's still that sense of anticipation, of taking unexpected turns in a zig zag journey but the melody feels off. The piano doesn't play as much, the notes don't always feel right and while it gets much darker in tone, it moves farther away from the stuff that made the first half so perfect. Its the final flourish that ends the movie on a high note and you emerge from the hall still quite satisfied.

There are a handful of songs and for a movie with such beautiful piano melodies, they are a complete letdown. In terms of the act, Ayushmann Khurrana pretty much gets a dream role and he pulls it off really well - probably one of his best performances so far. Its only in the few scenes of high strung drama that his dialogue delivery suffers a bit. Tabu is in fine form and while she starts off subtle and barely visible, she makes the movie her own especially as her delectably complex character gets revealed. Radhika Apte does okay in her relatively smaller role.

However, this is totally a director's movie. All the actors are mere puppets, brought in and out to tell an engaging story. Despite the unexpectedly dark turns it takes and its less savoury second half, Andhadhun is a fine melody, that expresses itself well across the octave and gives us a memorable watch.