Sriram Raghavan can always be trusted to come up with something stylishlly noir. The Johnny Gaddaar (2007) director's Andhadhun features Ayushmann Khurrana playing an unwitting blind musician trapped in a nefarious murder plot. The title track of the film, composed and sung by Raftaar, captures this very sense of deceit, lies and illusion that dominates the plot of the film.
The visuals of the song are stylish, glossy and feel like an upgraded 1990s video album. The use of mirrors to create the illusion of images for Tabu, who plays the black widow manipulating Khurrana's blind musician, is an impactful effect. Radhika Apte too features with a glamorous turn. The actress plays Khurrana's love interest in the film.
With minimal choreography, the song captures the noirish setting of the film with its black piano, cat, and a whole lot of smoke and mirrors. Raghavan also seems to have opted for a costume that refers to the 1950s-1960 era of Hollywood with bowties, sunglasses and tuxedos. The only thing missing are hats, and Khurrana, Tabu and Apte might simply walk into a Raymond Chandler script.
The music itself is quite Indian in its sound and tempo. Raftaar's composition is quite breezy, and builds on the title 'Andhadhun' with an ominous touch. However, it is in his rap that he truly comes into his element.
Irreverent, rapid, and filled with attitude, the rapper takes on the justice system, the illusions built by people, the corruption among other elements of target — all of this without taking his eyes off the murderous plot at the centre of the song. That is good work in terms of lyrics by Girish Nakod and Raftaar.
The arrangement of percussions and the beats complement Raftaar's energy and make this song worth a listen.
Andhadhun is directed by Sriram Raghavan, and is set to be released on 5 October.
Watch the song below: