Andhagan’ Movie Review: A Talented Cast Shines in This Authentic Remake

It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen Prashanth in top form, and he effortlessly embodies his role as a troubled pianist trying to find his way through a grim reality.

Tributes and nods to actors are often seen in films, and *Andhagan*, the official remake of Sriram Raghavan’s *Andhadhun* (2018), offers some intriguing ones, especially for actor Karthik, who portrays himself in the story. He is married to Simi, played brilliantly by Simran, who adores his film songs. Karthik makes his entrance with the song ‘Panivizhum Malarvanam,’ followed by nostalgic clips from his classic hit *Mouna Raagam* and another beloved track, ‘Keeravani.’ Additionally, there’s a fun reference to *Jeans* when Yogi Babu’s character expresses his admiration for Aishwarya Rai. These personal touches not only enhance the remake but also make it resonate with the audience, distinguishing it from the original.

In *Andhagan*, Krish, portrayed by Prashanth, is a blind pianist who becomes an unwitting witness to a high-profile murder, leading him into a tangled web of trouble. While the film may lack unexpected twists, it shines through its strong screenplay, presenting a scene-by-scene remake that showcases an experienced cast delivering each moment effectively. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Prashanth in such form, and he seamlessly steps into the role of a distressed pianist trying to navigate a dark world. Simran impressively captures both the gritty and vulnerable aspects of her character, Simi.

Even the actors with limited screen time leave a lasting impression. Urvashi, as Sarasu akka, and Yogi Babu, as Murali, play pivotal roles that significantly shift the plot in the second half. Samuthirakani, portraying Manohar, showcases his versatility as he transitions from one emotional state to another.

The film effectively utilizes Lydian Nadhaswaram’s music to evoke maximum emotion in each scene. However, *Andhagan* is not without its flaws. For some reason, the character Julie, played by Priya Anand, comes across as quite one-dimensional. The camera shifts to Simi during Julie’s serious dialogue, which distracts from her performance and prevents us from fully appreciating her emotions on screen. Additionally, the black-and-white cat that played a notable role in *Andhadhun* could have added a unique and symbolic element to *Andhagan*, but unfortunately, the filmmakers missed that opportunity. The humor in the film is hit-or-miss, with more misses than hits.

While the first half of *Andhagan* does a commendable job of establishing an intriguing world, the second half rushes through its plot twists and turns. This inconsistency in pacing detracts from the overall murder mystery experience. Despite this, the film remains a competent and faithful remake. One of *Andhagan*’s strengths lies in its timely release; even though six years have passed, the story and characters still feel relevant. It surprisingly serves as a fresh take on the original while maintaining Tamil cultural sensibilities. Like the contrasting black and white keys of a piano, *Andhagan* harmonizes with the theme of ‘neenga nallavara kettavara’ to its advantage.

**Direction:** Thiagarajan

**Cast:** Prashanth, Simran, Karthik, Priya Anand, Samuthirakani, Vanitha Vijaykumar, Manobala, Urvashi, Yogi Babu, Leela Samson.