The wickedly-funny movie celebrates sheer lunacy of marital equation
A loveless marriage, a middle-class man, a roaring affair and a practical revenge – Abhinay Deo’s ‘Blackmail‘ is equal parts dark and funny.
In a bid to add spice to his passionless marriage, Dev (Irrfan) — a toilet paper salesman — decides to surprise his wife Reena (Kulhari) with a bunch of roses. But he catches her in bed with her ex-boyfriend Ranjit (Singh). Instead of committing a crime of passion, a distraught Dev decides to get even — he blackmails his wife’s lover.
In a bid to add spice to his passionless marriage, Dev (Irrfan) — a toilet paper salesman — decides to surprise his wife Reena (Kulhari) with a bunch of roses. But he catches her in bed with her ex-boyfriend Ranjit (Singh). Instead of committing a crime of passion, a distraught Dev decides to get even — he blackmails his wife’s lover.
Just like in Deo’s 2011 venture, Delhi Belly, what follows is a chain reaction, where one misdeed leads to another, giving rise to a hilarious, dark premise. Though the first half takes its time to gain steam, the movie is skilfully scripted and the second-half keeps the audience hooked.
The movie is mounted on strong performances.
Irrfan as the vengeance-seeking, blackmailing husband plays his part with easy flourish. He knows he is not a regular guy and plots cold-blooded revenge with a straight face. Singh as a paramour packs a punch, whereas Kulhari plays the role of a disinterested, cheating wife with finesse. Dutta adds to the entertainment as Singh’s rich foulmouthed wife.