Andhadhun
Andhadhun (transl. Blindly) is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language black comedy crime thriller film co-written and directed by Sriram Raghavan, produced by Matchbox Pictures, and distributed by Viacom18 Motion Pictures. The film stars Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Radhika Apte, and tells the story of a blind piano player who unwittingly becomes embroiled in the murder of a former film actor.
The script of Andhadhun was written by Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti, Yogesh Chandekar and Hemanth M Rao. The film was edited by Surti, and K. U. Mohanan was its director of photography. Amit Trivedi composed songs for the film and Jaideep Sahni wrote the lyrics. Raftaar and Girish Nakod co-wrote the title song as guest composers.
Rao suggested to Raghavan in 2013 that he watch L’Accordeur (The Piano Tuner), a 2010 French short film about a blind pianist. Raghavan liked the film and was inspired from it. Khurrana was cast in the lead role after he contacted Raghavan and expressed an interest in working with him. The film was shot in Pune in 44 days spread over more than a year; principal photography began in June 2017 and ended on 17 July 2018.
Andhadhun was released by Viacom18 Motion Pictures theatrically in India on 5 October 2018 to critical acclaim. Critics highlighted the writing, and Khurrana and Tabu’s performances. It won four awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, at the Screen Awards ceremony and five Filmfare Awards, including Best Film (Critics) and Best Actor (Critics) for Khurrana. It also won three National Film Awards: Best Feature Film in Hindi, Best Actor for Khurrana, and Best Screenplay. The film has grossed over ₹456 crore (US$61 million) at the worldwide box office. The film was remade in Telugu as Maestro (2021) and in Malayalam as Bhramam (2021) while the Tamil remake Andhagan is under production.
A hunter tends to shoot, but misses his target. A flashback follows.
Akash Saraf is an up-and-coming pianist who fakes being blind to improve his piano skills. While crossing the street, he is knocked over by Sophie. She takes care of Akash and soon they begin an intimate romantic relationship. Sophie is impressed by Akash’s talent and gets him an engagement at her father’s diner. At the diner, a retired actor, Pramod Sinha, notices Akash and invites him to perform for his wedding anniversary. Akash arrives at the Sinhas’ flat and Pramod’s wife Simi opens the door. Simi, convinced that Akash is blind, lets him play the piano. Akash sees Pramod’s dead body nearby but feigns ignorance and continues to play; he also sees Manohar, Simi’s paramour, hiding in the bathroom. Simi and Manohar clean the body and stuff it into a suitcase while Akash plays.
Akash tries to report the murder to the police, but discovers that Manohar is a police inspector. Meanwhile, Simi overhears her elderly neighbour, Mrs. D’Sa, talking to a police officer about Pramod’s murder. Simi later kills Mrs. D’Sa by pushing her off the ledge of their apartment. Akash sees the murder but is forced to continue feigning blindness. Later when Simi brings poisonous offerings for him after her husband’s last rites and pulls out a gun, Akash admits to faking his blindness as an experiment to help his piano playing. He says he will leave for London and will keep Simi’s secret, but she drugs him.
