Andhakaaram

Andhakaaram is an intriguing Tamil thriller film, released in 2020. The movie is an ambitious endeavour by director V. Vignarajan in his directorial debut, produced by director Atlee and K. Poorna Chandra under their respective production companies, A for Apple and Passion Studios. The film stars Vinoth Kishan, Arjun Das, Pooja Ramachandran, Kumar Natarajan, Misha Ghoshal, among others.

The story revolves around three primary characters - a visually challenged man (Selvam), an exiled sports coach (Vinod) and an angst-ridden desperate doctor (Venu). The mystery plot of Andhakaaram unfolds through their intertwined experiences and it is interesting to see how their paths cross, with the plot thickening at every turn. The title 'Andhakaaram' translates to 'darkness', and subtly corresponds to the narrative’s sombre overtones and the mental and physical state of its characters.

Vinoth Kishan plays the character of Selvam, a distraught visually challenged man, who earns his livelihood as a library worker but doubles up as a part-time medium, contacting spirits for grieving families. His character beautifully encapsulates the essence of desperation and disillusionment that many face in the dark depths of life.

Arjun Das's character, Vinod, is a former cricket coach who becomes an alcoholic after being wrongly accused of a crime. He spends his days wallowing in remorse, fear, and self-pity. Arjun stars brilliantly as the tormented soul confused between reality and illusion and delivers a heart-rending performance.

Pooja Ramachandran is seen as the whimsical Suji. She ignites intrigue and bears the weight of pivotal plot twists in the narrative. Her character has significant importance in this matrix of spiralling darkness and mystery.

Directed by V. Vignarajan, Andhakaaram is laden with psychological nuances, mystery and riveting suspense. It innovatively captures the struggle of the human spirit when encountered with despair and fear. He succeeds in harnessing the talents of his actors, compellingly delivering the organic experience of despair.

Cinematography by A.M. Edwin Sakay is breath-taking, immersing the viewer into a world half-lit, often moonlit, devoid of colour saturation, which is an absolute treat. The background score, sound design, and atmospheric sounds playback a commendable role in ensuring viewers are on the edge of their seats.

The screenplay of Andhakaaram is intense, the narrative is layered, and it veers away from conventional storytelling. The narrative technique crisscrosses time frames and events, keeping viewers in the loop, but always one step behind the unfolding mystery. The frequent jumps can cause confusion, but the climax ties up the story neatly.

In the movie, the philosophies of life and death, light and darkness, are constant motifs and are used to reflect the highs and lows of existence. The narrative delves into the psychological impacts of fear, wrongful accusations and struggles to make ends meet, all of which accentuate the darkness lurking within the characters.

Andhakaaram hence is a visual spectacle, an enthralling mystery concoction that is sure to ignite curiosity. Its gritty and heightened narrative, coupled with pristinely captured frames, elevates the mood of this intense thriller. With an atypical narrative pattern, the movie will test the viewer's patience, but rewards them with its intricate storyline and stellar performances.

Andhakaaram is not a typical horror film; it is a slow-burning, intense thriller that relies as much on its eerie atmosphere as it does on the mystery plotline. It breaks conventionality, taking viewers on a riveting journey through the thin line of illusionary reality and compelling them to discern light amidst disturbing darkness.

Andhakaaram is an example of exceptional Tamil cinema, unearthing the human psyche's deep realms amidst chaos and crisis. While being a thriller, the movie is also a deep psychological exploration, making Andhakaaram multi-layered and profoundly engaging. The film, available on Netflix, holds a mirror to the menacing corners of life and is a gripping watch from start to finish.