'Andhera' Season 1 Review: Priya Bapat's Supernatural Thriller Is 'Low On Chills', Despite The Hype

Andhera has finally made its way onto Amazon Prime Video, and while there was much hype around the show given its horror/sci-fi blend, it failed to stand its ground. Fear is a strong emotion, which can get us to do the most bizarre things in the world. The series aimed to capture the emotions, traumas, and anxieties of youth, as well as their capacity for understanding in a world that is growing increasingly distant. While on paper it appeared to be a solid concept, the execution unfortunately didn't go as planned.

Andhera's ambition overpowers clarity

Andhera is like a walk within a timid, misguided circle of what is scary, but never reaches the core. Right off the bat, the series starts with the usual seedy lanes and corridors of Mumbai, haunted by the frantic cries of a woman running for her life. She begs for help from some 'Dr. Prithvi' inside a hotel room. However, the dark emerges from the walls and engulfs her.

The sudden 'incident' leads to a dead-end investigation, until the case is handed over to 'Inspector Kalpana Kadam' (Priya Bapat), leading her to the woman, named 'Bani Baruah', who was presumed to have fallen, mysteriously, from the hotel window. In a parallel track, the audience is also brought up-to-speed with 'Jay Sheth's' (Karanvir Malhotra) recurring hallucinations of the same woman and a sinister force of darkness that comes alive.

It was later revealed that 'Jay's' brother, 'Prithvi' (Pranay Pachauri), is in a coma, and his visions were somehow connected to the disappearance of 'Bani'. The story will continue as 'Jay' gets in touch with 'Rumi' (Prajakta Koli), a YouTuber with a show on paranormal presence in Mumbai. However, what bugs the viewers is that none of the alleged connections make sense or align with the meaning that Andhera's makers are trying to convey. 

Andhera is a horror series without focus

Andhera is clearly an ambitious and fresh concept. However, it doesn't execute as a unique series, as it's wrapped in the same old cliches. Gaurav Desai has sprawled over a range of characters exploring the space between two of the most loved genres, supernatural horror and sci-fi. However, this central entity of 'andhera' is thinly imagined; the series lacks the ruthlessness required to push the characters to their extremes, making their fears and emotions feel disconnected. Not only internal fears, but tangible horrors also fail to connect in the way they should, leaving the audience feeling half empty.

Final verdict on Andhera

Andhera sets out with an intriguing concept. However, collapses under the weight of its own ambition. The plot seemed predictable, undercooked and muddled in too many themes, creating a sense of confusion rather than fear. From health to AI, there are significant gaps that cannot be ignored. While it was a good attempt to touch on the fears of modern life, it fails to explore them meaningfully. 

What are your thoughts on Andhera? Let us know.

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