Overview
Andhadhun is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language black comedy crime thriller directed by Sriram Raghavan. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu and Radhika Apte in the lead roles, with supporting performances by Anil Dhawan, Zakir Hussain, Ashwini Kalsekar and Manav Vij. It was produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Matchbox Pictures, and released theatrically in India on 5 October 2018.
The plot follows a young pianist who pretends to be blind and inadvertently becomes entangled in the murder of a former film actor. Inspired in part by the 2010 French short film L'Accordeur (The Piano Tuner) by Olivier Treiner, Andhadhun received widespread critical acclaim for its screenplay, performances and unpredictable narrative, and went on to become one of the most commercially successful Indian films of its scale, with notable success in the Chinese market.
Key Facts
| Title | Andhadhun |
|---|---|
| Director | Sriram Raghavan |
| Producers | Sanjay Routray, Sriram Raghavan, Kewal Garg, Ashok Vashodia |
| Writers | Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti, Yogesh Chandekar, Hemanth Rao |
| Starring | Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte |
| Music | Amit Trivedi (songs); Daniel B. George (background score) |
| Cinematography | K. U. Mohanan |
| Editing | Pooja Ladha Surti |
| Production companies | Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Matchbox Pictures |
| Release date | 5 October 2018 (India) |
| Language | Hindi |
| Country | India |
Plot
Akash, a struggling pianist, adopts the persona of a blind man, believing it sharpens his musical sensibilities and helps him secure work at a Pune restaurant. After a chance meeting with Sophie, the daughter of the restaurant's owner, he is invited to give a private performance at the home of yesteryear film star Pramod Sinha. There, Akash inadvertently witnesses the aftermath of a crime involving Sinha's wife, Simi, and her lover. The narrative develops into a layered thriller involving organ trafficking, blackmail and shifting moral choices, culminating in an ambiguous ending set in Europe.
Production
The screenplay was developed by Sriram Raghavan along with Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti, Yogesh Chandekar and Hemanth Rao, drawing inspiration from the French short L'Accordeur. Principal photography took place largely in Pune, with portions filmed in Europe. Raghavan, known for his earlier thrillers such as Ek Hasina Thi, Johnny Gaddaar and Badlapur, retained his frequent collaborators including editor and co-writer Pooja Ladha Surti.
The soundtrack album was composed by Amit Trivedi with lyrics by Jaideep Sahni. The film also features classic Hindi film songs picturised on Anil Dhawan, who plays the fictional star Pramod Sinha, lending a meta-textual layer to the narrative.
Release and box office
Andhadhun opened in Indian theatres on 5 October 2018. The film received a strong word-of-mouth response and grossed over ₹100 crore in India. It was subsequently released in China on 3 April 2019 under the title Piano Player, where it became a major theatrical success, with its Chinese gross significantly exceeding its Indian collections and pushing worldwide totals well past ₹400 crore.
Critical reception and awards
The film was praised for Raghavan's direction, the unpredictable screenplay, K. U. Mohanan's cinematography, and the performances of Ayushmann Khurrana and Tabu. It featured prominently in year-end best-of lists in 2018.
- National Film Awards (66th, 2018): Best Feature Film in Hindi, Best Actor (Ayushmann Khurrana, shared with Vicky Kaushal for Uri: The Surgical Strike), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Filmfare Awards (64th, 2019): Best Film (Critics), Best Actor (Ayushmann Khurrana), Best Actress (Tabu) and Best Screenplay, among others.
- Multiple wins at Screen Awards, Zee Cine Awards and IIFA Awards in 2019, particularly in screenplay, acting and direction categories.
Remakes and adaptations
Owing to its success, Andhadhun was remade in several Indian languages:
- Maestro (2021), Telugu, directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, starring Nithiin, Tamannaah Bhatia and Nabha Natesh.
- Andhagan (2024), Tamil, directed by Thiagarajan, starring Prashanth, Simran and Priya Anand.
- A Malayalam-language adaptation, Bhramam (2021), directed by Ravi K. Chandran, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mamta Mohandas and Raashii Khanna.
Significance
Andhadhun is widely regarded as a landmark in contemporary Hindi cinema for reviving the Indian thriller genre with literary craft, dark humour and an audience-friendly approach. Its commercial performance in China helped reinforce the viability of mid-budget, content-driven Hindi films in international markets, and it consolidated Sriram Raghavan's reputation as one of India's foremost makers of crime thrillers. The film also marked a turning point in Ayushmann Khurrana's career, expanding his profile beyond comedy-driven social dramas, and added to Tabu's standing as a performer in genre cinema.
Related topics
- Sriram Raghavan
- Ayushmann Khurrana
- Tabu (actress)
- Radhika Apte
- Amit Trivedi
- Viacom18 Motion Pictures
- Hindi cinema
- National Film Awards
- Filmfare Awards
- Bhramam
- Maestro (2021 film)
References
- Official press materials from Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Matchbox Pictures.
- 66th National Film Awards announcements, Directorate of Film Festivals, Government of India.
- Reviews and reportage from The Hindu, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Mint and Film Companion (2018–2019).