Blind Movie Review: Sonam Kapoor takes the lead in this thriller directed by Shome Makhija, but unfortunately, the film falls short in delivering the crucial element that every thriller requires – a genuine sense of thrill. Despite its promising premise, the movie fails to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, leaving them yearning for the adrenaline-pumping moments that make a thriller truly captivating.
Plot of the film Blind:
In the movie, Gia Singh (played by Sonam Kapoor) serves as a police officer stationed in Scotland. The story takes off when an intense argument erupts between Gia and her brother during a car ride following a concert. Tragically, the argument leads to a severe car crash, which propels Gia out of the vehicle while her brother remains trapped due to being handcuffed to the car’s handle. A subsequent collision with another car claims her brother’s life. Fast forward to the present, Gia, now visually impaired due to the accident, relentlessly tries to regain her position in the police force. However, she faces rejection on account of her disability and the irresponsible use of her powers in cuffing her brother.
Meanwhile, a series of mysterious disappearances of young women grips the city. One fateful night, Gia encounters a stranger disguised as a cab driver (played by Purab Kohli), who offers her a ride home. As the journey unfolds, Gia hears peculiar knocking sounds emanating from the trunk, intensifying the enigma. Hindered by her visual impairment, Gia is unable to physically confront the stranger but manages to escape nonetheless. She harbors suspicions that the disguised cab driver may be the elusive kidnapper responsible for the recent abductions. The crux of the story revolves around whether Gia, aided by a fellow officer and an eyewitness, can track down the psychopathic kidnapper or not.
Blind Movie Review:
Indian filmmakers have long been captivated by Korean dramas, but their attempts at remaking them have rarely impressed audiences. Just like Salman Khan’s “Radhe” (2021) failed to live up to “The Outlaws,” and Riteish Dedhmukh’s “Ek Villain” (2014) fell short as a remake of the classic K-drama “I Saw the Devil,” Sonam Kapoor now joins the bandwagon with her film “Blind.” Unfortunately, the Hindi adaptation barely reflects the raw intensity of the original Korean film released in 2011. Directed by Shome Makhija, “Blind” serves as Sonam Kapoor’s comeback in Bollywood and her debut in the OTT space. However, it appears to be a misguided choice for such a significant return.
The story revolves around Gia (Sonam Kapoor), a police officer stationed in Scotland. Following a heated argument with her brother during a car ride after a concert, they experience a tragic accident. While Gia survives but loses her eyesight, her brother doesn’t make it. Concurrently, young girls in the city begin to disappear. One day, Gia encounters the villain (played by Purab Kohli) when he attempts to kidnap her, recognizing her vulnerability as a blind woman seeking a cab alone at night. Thus begins a cat-and-mouse game between Gia and the psychopathic serial killer. Despite her disability, Gia refuses to let it hinder her pursuit of capturing the malevolent nemesis.
On paper, the premise holds promise. A visually impaired woman living alone in a foreign country with her loyal guide dog, being pursued by a psycho killer, should instill paranoia and gripping suspense. However, Shome Makhija’s lethargic direction ruins the film’s potential. The audience fails to feel the fear for the victims, and there is a noticeable absence of urgency during the killer’s pursuit of Gia and Shubham Saraf in the orphanage. Predictability plagues the storytelling, with missed opportunities for stronger scenes, like Gia’s initial telephonic confrontation with the psychopath, which falls flat due to lackluster execution.
While some crime thrillers manage to bring freshness to the genre, such as “Drishyam 2” and “Asur” (web series), “Blind” offers nothing new and lacks the anticipated thrills. At times, the film feels unnecessarily drawn out, leaving viewers longing to fast forward.
Sonam Kapoor’s character carries a traumatic past as an orphan who tragically lost her brother due to her own actions. However, these layers fail to add depth to her character, and the film suffers from predictability. The storytelling could have been more concise, and the lack of twists, even in the climax, leaves the audience underwhelmed.
Sonam Kapoor, despite her potential as an actor, chooses the wrong project for her Bollywood comeback. Her portrayal of a blind girl feels restrained, devoid of emotion, and lacks conviction when faced with a maniacal murderer. Even in the climax, she takes an unnecessarily long time to react, diminishing the impact. Furthermore, her stoic approach to portraying a visually impaired person hampers the storyline further.
Purab Kohli’s portrayal of the lunatic killer feels forced and staged, lacking the genuine menace required for the role. The makers caricature Vinay Pathak’s character, despite its significant importance. They present him as a police officer constantly snacking, succumbing to Bollywood’s unnecessary obsession with introducing comedic sequences where they are unwarranted. Lillete Dubey’s talent is completely wasted in the film. One actor who stands out is Sonam’s guide dog, Elsa, portrayed by an adorable Labrador.
Cinematographer Gairik Sarkar deserves credit for maintaining the film’s gloomy tone, effectively using shades of gray to match the theme. The music composed by Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes adds something to the plot but fails to leave a lasting impression.
“Blind” has seen several remakes, including a Tamil version featuring Nayanthara titled “Netrikann.” However, the Hindi remake proves to be the dullest attempt at capturing the essence of the original. While “Blind” was meant to be a dark and chilling crime thriller, it ultimately fails to deliver the expected suspense and remains trapped in a monotonous cycle.