Antardhaan review: Screenplay's attention to detail makes this thriller a success

Arindam Bhattacharya’s thriller Antardhaan (2021) might not keep you on the edge of your seat with gripping suspense throughout, but the director’s attention to detail in his attempt to lend an unpredictable spin to an average plot makes the film worth watching.

The story of a missing girl comes across as simplistic until it begins to baffle the viewer in the second half and, eventually, ends with a complete twist that exposes the characters too.

Settled in Kasaul, Himachal Pradesh, with her parents, Zinia (Mohor Choudhury) is adamant about going on a trip with her friends to the Champa valley. After initially refusing permission, Zinia’s father Anirban (Parambrata Chatterjee) consents. However, after three days, when Zinia doesn’t return from the trip, a tense Anirban and Zinia’s mother (Tnusree Chakraborty) seek help from the police.

CID officer Niladri Sen (Rajatava Dutta) steps in investigate the case even as the local police do their job. Meanwhile, Anirban’s neighbour Aparajita Ray (Mamata Shankar) promises to aid the helpless parents with her expertise in Tantra. Another neighbour comes forward to help find Zinia by providing certain clues to Niladri.

Determined to trace Zinia, Niladri is irritated with the carelessness of her parents for not keeping track of her companions on the trip. A few developments make Aparajita and the other neighbour’s actions seem suspicious too. Eventually all clues point to an ex-MLA and medicine mafia boss (Harsh Chhaya). But what could be his motive to abduct Zinia?

Until the climax, several actions of the characters who desperately hope for Zinia’s return come across as confusing to both Niladri and the audience. Credit to the director for designing these intentional loopholes that lead to the twist in the end. While Niladri gives his all to the case and risks his job to stand up to the corrupt and the powerful, he is forced into a corner in the end and left with only one real choice.

While the entire cast has delivered decent and consistent performances, Rajatava Dutta's act stands out. His middle-aged CID officer is righteous and confident but has certain peculiar traits that also lead to some funny sequences in the otherwise serious film. His timing is incredible and he steals the show every time he is on screen.

Souvik Basu hasn’t got into any eye-catching cinematic technique to deliberately add to the thrilling element of the film; instead, the smooth camerawork makes all the detailing in the conceptualization of the plot stand out.

Editor Sujay Dutta Ray, too, deserves credit for making all the efforts put in by the director to surprise the audience in the end look effortless.

Ratul Shankar’s minimalistic background score adds to the blend of all the cinematic aspects of storytelling.

Antardhaan is not an exceptional thriller, but the director’s honest effort and compact storytelling are visible throughout. Besides, the performances and engaging screenplay make the film worth at least one viewing.

Antardhaan was released in theatres across West Bengal on 10 December.