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{{short description|2020 film by V. Vignarajan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Andhaghaaram
| image = Andhaghaaram poster.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Official release poster
| director = V. Vignarajan
| producer = [[Atlee (director)|Priya Atlee]] Sudhan Sundaram Jayaram K Poorna Chandra
| writer = V. Vignarajan
| starring = [[Arjun Das]] [[Vinoth Kishan]] Kumar Natarajan [[Pooja Ramachandran]] [[Misha Ghoshal]]
| cinematography = A M Edwin Sakay
| editing = Sathyaraj Natarajan
| music = [[Pradeep Kumar (musician)|Pradeep Kumar]]
| studio = [[Atlee (director)|A for Apple]] Passion Studios O2 Pictures
| distributor = [[Netflix]]
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2020|11|24|[[India]]}}
| country = [[India]]
| language = Tamil
| runtime = 171 minutes
| budget =
| gross =
}}

'''''Andhaghaaram''''' ({{Translation|''Darkness''}}) is a 2020 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Supernatural horror film|supernatural horror]] [[thriller film]] written and directed by V. Vignarajan, in his directional debut.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Fresh-talents-in-Orey-Nyabagam/articleshow/19574200.cms |title= Fresh talents in Orey Nyabagam |date=15 January 2017|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 July 2020}}</ref> It is produced by Priya Atlee under A for Apple Productions, alongside Sudhan Sundaram and Jayaram under their banner Passion Studios and K. Poornachandra's O2 Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/apr/13/atlee-to-present-andhaghaaram-2129232.html.|title= Atlee to present Andhaghaaram|date=13 April 2020|access-date=1 April 2021|website=[[New Indian Express]]}}</ref> The film stars [[Arjun Das]], [[Vinoth Kishan]], and Kumar Natarajan in lead roles<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=16 October 2019|title=Arjun Das is excited to make his acting debut|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/arjun-das-is-excited-to-make-his-acting-debut/articleshow/71597130.cms|url-status=live|access-date=1 April 2021|website=[[Times of India]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/blind-role-in-andhaghaaram-won-t-make-audience-empathetic-vinoth-kishan-114081200183_1.html |title= Blind role in 'Andhaghaaram' won't make audience empathetic: Vinoth Kishan |date=12 August 2014|access-date=1 April 2021|website=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> along with [[Pooja Ramachandran]] and [[Misha Ghoshal]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/atlee-announces-next-movie-with-master-actor-trailer-release-date-and-other-details-tamil-news-257876 |title=Atlee announces next movie with 'Master' actor - trailer release date and other details|date=12 April 2020|access-date=1 April 2021|website=Indiaglitz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2018/feb/17/waiting-for-the-break-i-deserve-1773975.html|title= 'Waiting for the break i deserve' |date=17 February 2018 |website=[[New Indian Express]]}}</ref> The film was released on [[Netflix]] on 24 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/oct/30/arjun-das-starrerandhaghaaram-to-release-on-netflix-on-november-24-2217060.html|title=Arjun Das-starrer 'Andhaghaaram' to release on Netflix on November 24|work=The New Indian Express|date=30 October 2020|access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>

== Plot ==
The movie follows three men in [[Chennai]], who are seemingly unconnected to each other and the sinister happenings in their lives. The first man is Dr. Indran, one of the country's most renowned clinical psychiatrists. He is almost fatally shot by one of his violent patients. He survives, but his entire family is massacred, and he loses both his voice and professional license. After his operation, Indran opts for a new approach to his practice even though he is still being reviewed by authorities.

The second man is Selvam, an honest blind man who works as a clerk at a public library. After the death of his parents, he is taken care of by his uncle. His only inheritance is his father's mansion that he is struggling to maintain. Selvam's father was a famous [[occultist]], and Selvam has learned some of the tricks of the trade from him. He needs money for his operation (kidney failure) so he agrees to hold a cleansing ritual at a haunted building. Though he manages to capture one of the spirits, there is another one that is still in the building.

The third man is Vinod, a cricket coach who is overridden by guilt at the condition of his best friend Pradeep. Pradeep is suffering from an unknown mental disorder after Vinod gifted him a book on the occult. Vinod also starts receiving mysterious and threatening calls through his newly installed landline rotary phone. His girlfriend Manasi convinces him to see a psychiatrist.

It is revealed that the three men's timelines are taking place at different points in time. Selvam's closest confidant is Pooja, his tutor. She is the sister of Pradeep, who was once undergoing treatment by Indran. By the time Vinod gets a new landline installed, Pradeep has died by suicide, throwing himself off his balcony and landing on Indran, who also dies. Just like Pradeep, countless other patients Indran has been illegally treating have committed suicide through hypnosis. Indran had lost all faith in humanity after the loss of his family, hence his evil plan. Even in death, his vengeance lives on. It is Indran's spirit who has been calling and tormenting Vinod. The phone used to be Selvam's and is actually a medium to communicate with the dead. However, Selvam would later get into trouble with loan sharks, who kill him in order to take over his father's mansion.

Pooja helps Vinod put the pieces together, but not before they realize that Selvam has been trying to help Vinod all along. Vinod breaks the telephone but Pooja tells him that he needs the telephone to contact Selvam to find out how to get rid of the tormenting spirit. Vinod runs back to the shop where he gave the telephone for fixing. He then stops at the bridge and attends the call. Indran hypnotises Vinod and forces him to jump off the bridge. In the nick of time, Selvam possesses and saves Vinod and also dismantles the phone, which ruptures both Indran and Selvam's connection with the world of the living.

In the end, it is shown that Selvam gets his revenge on the publisher/real estate businessman by strangling him with the help of Pooja's information, and she completes Selvam's final wish.

== Cast ==
*[[Arjun Das]] as Vinod
*[[Vinoth Kishan]] as Selvam
*Kumar Natarajan as Dr. Indran (voice-over by [[Arjun Das]])
*[[Pooja Ramachandran]] as Pooja
*[[Misha Ghoshal]] as Manasi
*[[Jeeva Ravi]] as Dr. Vasanth
*Vijithan as Pradeep
*Rail Ravi as Publisher
*Mahendra Mullath as Sundaram
*Pradeep Kalipurayath as Manasi's brother
*Arul Vincent as Dr. Harish

== Production ==
The film began production in August 2014, with [[Vinoth Kishan]] and [[Arjun Das]] in pivotal roles and [[Pooja Ramachandran]], [[Misha Ghoshal]] and Kumar Natarajan in supporting roles. Kishan was reported to play a blind role in the film, for which he stated that the role may not make audiences "empathetic", but further added it as an "exciting role" and "quite different from how blind characters are usually portrayed in Indian cinema". He further added that the blind role will have a pivotal part in the story.<ref name=":1" /> Shooting of the film and post-production works were completed within late 2014.<ref name=":0" />

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name = Andhaghaaram
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Pradeep Kumar (musician)|Pradeep Kumar]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 14 November 2020
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 16:00
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Think Music]]
| producer = Pradeep Kumar
| prev_title = [[Sillu Karupatti]]
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
The film's soundtrack album is composed by [[Pradeep Kumar (musician)|Pradeep Kumar]] which has four tracks with lyrics written by Sivam. One of the songs "Suzhalum Irulil" features an orchestral version, performed by [[Shakthisree Gopalan]] and the other tracks were performed by Sivam, [[Sean Roldan]] and Shahid Hameed along with Kumar himself. The album was released on 14 November 2020 by [[Think Music]].

Film critic Ramesh Bala, through his review for ''Indiaglitz'' gave 8 out of 10 to the soundtrack stating "Pradeep Kumar delivers the morose haunting soundtrack for Andhaghaaram and perfectly in sync with the movie's tone" and listed "Suzhalum Irulil" and "Izhupari Aattam" among their favourite picks.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bala|first=Ramesh|date=2020-11-21|title=Music Review (Tamil): Andhaghaaram|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/2020/11/music-review-tamil-andhaghaaram.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Indiaglitz}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Suzhalum Irulil
| extra1 = [[Pradeep Kumar (musician)|Pradeep Kumar]], Shahid Hameed, Sivam
| length1 = 04:38
| title2 = Izhupari Aattam
| extra2 = [[Sean Roldan]]
| length2 = 04:24
| title3 = Yaardhaan Kandaaro
| extra3 = [[Pradeep Kumar (musician)|Pradeep Kumar]], Sivam
| length3 = 03:34
| title4 = Suzhalum Irulil (Orchestral Version)
| extra4 = [[Pradeep Kumar (musician)|Pradeep Kumar]], [[Shakthisree Gopalan]]
| length4 = 03:24
| total_length = 16:00
}}

==Marketing and release==
Despite production being completed in 2014, the film was delayed for more than six years since no takers were available to distribute the film as it features newcomers and no prominent faces being present in the film.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-14|title=Atlee to present long-delayed 'Andhaghaaram'|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/atlee-present-long-delayed-andhaghaaram-122565|access-date=2021-04-01|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> In 2019, Followed by [[Arjun Das]]' performance in ''[[Kaithi (2019 film)|Kaithi]]'', whose performance being appreciated by audience, the film once again came into news.<ref name=":0" /> Director [[Atlee (director)|Atlee]] came forward to present the film under his banner A for Apple Studios, which marked his second production venture after ''[[Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae]]'' (2017) and Passion Studios co-produced the film.<ref>{{Cite web|last=100010509524078|date=2020-04-12|title=Atlee's productorial venture titled 'Andhaghaaram'|url=https://www.dtnext.in/Lifestyle/LifeStyleTopNews/2020/04/12181131/1224767/Atlees-productorial-venture-titled-Andhaghaaram.vpf|access-date=2021-04-01|website=dtNext.in|language=en}}</ref>

The film's first poster and teaser were released on April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=ChennaiApril 13|first1=India Today Web Desk|last2=April 13|first2=2020UPDATED|last3=Ist|first3=2020 13:00|title=Andhaghaaram: Atlee's next production is a supernatural thriller|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/andhagaaram-atlee-s-next-production-is-a-supernatural-thriller-1666371-2020-04-13|access-date=2021-04-01|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> The team also planned for the promotional activities of the film before the [[COVID-19 lockdowns|COVID-19 pandemic lockdown]] was announced and then makers opted for a low-key announcement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-14|title=Andhaghaaram trailer: Atlee presents a cat-and-mouse thriller with supernatural bent|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/andhaghaaram-trailer-atlee-presents-a-cat-and-mouse-thriller-with-supernatural-bent/story-cDgy9l4yYFfkUu9nMws3HK.html|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Furthermore, the team also decided to release the film through streaming platform [[Netflix]] as theatres being shut due to the lockdown.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Atlee's Andhaghaaram to release on Netflix|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/atlee-andhaghaaram-to-release-on-netflix-6909813/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The second trailer was released during November 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=[VIDEO] New trailer of Atlee's Andhaghaaram out now! Sivakarthikeyan unveils the Arjun Das starrer|url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/video-atlees-andhaghaaram-trailer-out-now-sivakarthikeyan-unveils-the-arjun-das-starrer/680154|access-date=2021-04-01|website=www.zoomtventertainment.com|language=en}}</ref> confirming the Netflix release on 24 November 2020 and was also released in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] under the title ''Andhakaaram''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamil film 'Andhaghaaram' to release on Netflix next month|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/entertainment/2020/10/30/ent8-netflix-andhaghaaram-release.html|access-date=2021-04-01|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical response===

V. Lakshmi of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3 out of 5 and stated "Though the narration keeps you glued, a lacklustre twist makes you question if your patience was worth it."<ref>{{Citation|title=Andhaghaaram Movie Review: A long-drawn, yet engaging thriller|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/andhaghaaram/movie-review/79382395.cms|access-date=2021-04-01}}</ref> Pradeep Kumar of ''[[The Hindu]]'' stated that "The film appears complicated due to a drawn out screenplay. Nonetheless, director Vignarajan’s debut is an interesting piece of work".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Pradeep|date=2020-11-24|title='Andhaghaaram' movie review: Slow-burn suspense thriller is a test of patience|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/andhaghaaram-movie-review-slow-burn-suspense-thriller-is-a-test-of-patience/article33168033.ece|access-date=2021-04-01|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Manoj Kumar R of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave a rating of 2.5 out of 5 and reviewed "Andhaghaaram feels a bit rushed. The ease and clarity with which Vignarajan moves the story forward from the beginning disappears towards the end. It feels overwhelming with the deluge of revelations that Vignarajan dumps on the audience making it difficult for the audience to keep with what’s happening. But, Andhaghaaram is still a good attempt, given the complexity of its concept."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-24|title=Andhaghaaram movie review: A good attempt|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/andhaghaaram-movie-review-a-good-attempt-7063721/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

Ranjani Krishnakumar of ''[[Firstpost]]'' was more critical on the film stating that "''Andhagaaram'' could have been an interesting film, but soon enough, it gets tiresome. The details unravel painfully slowly, and in excruciating little bursts" and gave 2 out of 5.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-25|title=Andhagaaram movie review: An interesting thriller that is bogged down by tiresome self-actualisation - Entertainment News , Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/andhagaaram-movie-review-an-interesting-thriller-that-is-bogged-down-by-tiresome-self-actualisation-9048471.html|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Firstpost}}</ref> Shrikanth Venkatesh of ''[[Sify]]'' gave 3.5 out of 5 praising Vignarajan's direction stating it as "a fairly impressive debut attempt". He further added "In spite of some flaws, it does give us reasons to look forward to the director’s next ventures".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Andhaghaaram review: An atmospheric thriller that has more highs than lows|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/andhaghaaram-review-an-atmospheric-thriller-that-has-more-highs-than-lows-review-tamil-umbdojhbcjeej.html|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Sify|language=en}}</ref> ''Behindwoods Review Board'' rated 3 out of 5 and summarised "Andhaghaaram is high on thrills, performances and technicalities but could have been even more gripping if the runtime was a bit shorter".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-24|title=Andhaghaaram (aka) Andhagharam review|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/andhaghaaram/andhaghaaram-review.html|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Behindwoods}}</ref>

[[Baradwaj Rangan]] of ''[[Film Companion South]]'' reviewed that "''Andhaghaaram'' is underwhelming, and yet, scene for scene, it’s some kind of spectacular". Apart from praising the technical aspects of the film, he also appreciated director Vignarajan stating it as an "arrival of a very real talent".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rangan|first=Baradwaj|date=2020-11-24|title=Andhaghaaram On Netflix, With Arjun Das And Vinoth Kishan: An Underwhelming Thriller, But A Top-Notch Show-Reel|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/andhaghaaram-tamil-movie-review-netflix-an-underwhelming-thriller-but-a-top-notch-show-reel-arjun-das-vinoth-kishan-atlee-baradwaj-rangan/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Film Companion|language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title|9110340}}

{{Atlee Kumar}}

[[Category:2020 films]]
[[Category:2020 horror thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2020s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Netflix original films]]

Andhaghaaram - Revision history

>Citation bot at 12:56, 3 July 2021