Andhera Season 1 Review: A supernatural thriller that thrives on atmosphere over jump scares
Review: A good supernatural thriller doesn't always need to rely on relentless jump scares; if it can weave a sustained sense of dread that seeps under your skin, it has already done half its job. Andhera, created by Gaurav Desai and directed by Raaghav Dar, mostly succeeds in this regard. Its strength lies in atmosphere, tension, and an urban-horror aesthetic that's both intriguing and unnerving—though not without a few missteps.
The show opens with a chilling mystery. Bani Baruah (Jahnvi Rawat), desperate to contact Dr. Prithvi Sheth (Pranay Pachauri), vanishes under unexplained circumstances. Inspector Kalpana Kadam (Priya Bapat) takes charge of the case, her investigation leading her to Prithvi—now in a coma—and his younger brother Jay (Karanvir Malhotra), a troubled medical student plagued by terrifying nightmares involving Bani and other shadowy apparitions. The darkness—quite literally the andhera—seems intent on clinging to him.
Jay turns to Rumi (Prajakta Koli), a podcaster dedicated to supernatural phenomena and the only one willing to believe his story. As Kalpana, Jay, and Rumi's paths converge, they are drawn into a spiraling web of secrets. Each revelation edges them closer to a hidden, sinister presence lurking in the shadows—a force blurring the line between reality and nightmare. The further they dig, the more reality fractures, and what begins as unease soon curdles into outright terror.
At its core, Andhera is about the power of story. Its tension, slow-burn reveals, and constant shifting between the tangible and the inexplicable are what keep viewers hooked—until the narrative pivots into unexpected territory. Midway through, the investigation begins brushing against a parallel thread involving an experimental treatment for depression. By the time the climax arrives, a comic book reference is employed to explain the antagonist's origins and motive—a bizarre tonal shift that may divide audiences.
One of the show's missed opportunities lies in its supporting arcs. The character of Darius (Vatsal Sheth), built up as a figure of interest for both the police and a special bureau, makes only fleeting appearances and is ultimately reduced to a henchman for the experiment subplot. For a series that thrives on slow character reveals, this abrupt resolution feels underdeveloped.
Where Andhera excels is in its world-building. Cinematographer Huentsang Mohapatra bathes the series in a palette of shadow and muted hues, capturing Mumbai's glimmering skyline as an ominous counterpoint to its darker underbelly. The visual motif of diluted, pishach-like eyes in the possessed is deeply unsettling. Ketan Sodha's score is equally vital—its haunting notes underscore the dread, amplifying both the psychological and supernatural tension.
The writing team—Desai, Dar, Karan Anshuman, and Chintan Sarda—keeps the pace taut for much of the eight-episode run. However, the momentum does falter in the latter episodes as repetition sets in, with certain beats feeling like variations of earlier sequences. The suspense, while steady, rarely crescendos into outright terror; instead, the show leans into an ever-present unease, which may not satisfy viewers craving sharper shocks.
Performance-wise, Priya Bapat anchors the narrative with a nuanced portrayal of Kalpana Kadam—a resolute cop whose commitment to the case is shadowed by her own unresolved traumas. Karanvir Malhotra convincingly captures Jay's dual state of guilt over his brother's condition and bewilderment at his surreal experiences. Prajakta Koli is a standout as Rumi, bringing warmth, empathy, and an understated charisma to the screen; her chemistry with Jay, though brief, is affecting.
Surveen Chawla delivers a layered performance as a consultant at a healing clinic, hinting at more than meets the eye. Vatsal Sheth does well with the limited material given to Darius, even if his character's arc feels undercooked. Pravin Dabas as Dr. Sahay and Pranay Pachauri as the comatose Prithvi make their presence felt in smaller but important moments.
While Andhera stumbles in parts—particularly with certain narrative detours and underexplored character arcs—it remains an atmospheric and competently crafted supernatural thriller. Its commitment to mood, world-building, and psychological tension elevates it above many genre peers. For viewers seeking an unsettling urban horror that blends the supernatural with hints of noir, Andhera is worth stepping into… if you don't mind losing your way in the dark.
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Indian Express
7 hours ago
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Andhera review: This Prajakta Koli series is a juvenile mish-mash
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Indian Express
8 hours ago
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Prajakta Koli on diving into horror with Andhera: ‘It's good to feel uncomfortable'
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India Today
9 hours ago
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Andhera review: Priya Bapat, Karanvir Malhotra shine in this dim series
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