Blind Game Review: ★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Blind Game has a good setup, a pair of watchable leads, and nice Manali visuals. The writing is flat, the twists are easy to guess, and the final reveal doesn’t justify the buildup.
Rating: ★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Genre: Crime Thriller
Language: Hindi
Director: Sangeeth Sivan
Cast: Arjun Rampal, Priyamani, Rohit Chandel, Akash Makhija, Noyrika Bhatheja, Shayank Shukla
Runtime: 1h 53m
A missing Rs 5 crore, a group of friends with secrets, and a cop who has been suspended but cannot let go. On paper, Blind Game has everything a good crime thriller needs. The Hindi film is now streaming on ZEE5, and it is an official remake of the 2014 Malayalam film 7th Day. Sadly, it forgets to turn that promise into real thrills.
The story begins on a snowy Christmas Eve in Manali. Sikander Singh, played by Arjun Rampal, is in a car accident with two young men, Vicky and Shaan, played by Rohit Chandel and Akash Makhija. Vicky is hurt, and Sikander offers to take him to the hospital. Soon after, Vicky vanishes, and Shaan goes looking for his friend. Later, Vicky is found dead, and it looks like a suicide. Something about it feels wrong.
Sikander is a suspended officer, but he starts his own quiet investigation. He learns that Vicky and Shaan belong to a group of five friends, along with Jerry, Jessica, and Burger, and that the group is tied to a huge amount of stolen cash.
The trail leads to David Walter Williams, a dangerous wanted criminal. Sikander also works with CI Yamini Thakur, played by Priyamani, who is chasing a fake currency racket in the state. As the case grows, a simple mystery turns into a fight for survival.
The first stretch works well. The setup is tight, the background score suits the mood, and you do want to know what happens next. Rampal and Priyamani are the best part of the film. Rampal plays the brooding cop with calm intensity, and Priyamani brings honesty to her role.
Their scenes together show a glimpse of the sharper film this could have been. Among the younger cast, Rohit Chandel, Akash Makhija and Nakul Roshan Sahdev keep you interested, though most of them are not given much to do.
Then things start to slide. A long flashback about the five friends is meant to add depth, but it slows the story and weakens the tension. The investigation follows an easy path, and the clues arrive without much excitement. The dialogue is flat, and even tense scenes struggle to bite.
Most side characters feel thin and fall into stereotypes, so it is hard to care who is lying or who is guilty. Yamini’s character also needed more clarity, and the criminal David Walter Williams is built up as a big threat but never feels truly scary.
The ending is the biggest letdown. The final twist is interesting, but it does not justify two hours of build-up. Some of the editing is choppy, a few camera angles feel odd, and the jungle and mountain scenes near the end look rushed.
Even the Manali setting is barely used, though Deep Sawant’s cinematography does give the film some pretty frames.
It also carries a sad note. This was written and directed by Sangeeth Sivan, who passed away in 2024, and it is a posthumous release. Some viewers will go in with extra warmth for that reason.
Opinions on the film differ. Some reviewers found it a harmless weekend watch after the Diwali rush, while others found it dull and predictable. I land closer to the middle. It is not terrible, but it never gets as sharp as it should.
If you want to know when to watch, our Blind Game release date article has the details. For a much bigger fantasy world, read our The Rings of Power Season 3 review, and for a slow, thoughtful Korean drama, try our Possible Love review.
Blind Game has a good idea and two fine leads, but the script lets them down. Watch it only if you love thrillers and keep your hopes low.
Blind Game is now streaming on ZEE5.