Blackmail (2024) is a dark comedy directed by Abhinay Deo, starring Irrfan Khan as Dev Kaushal, a middle-aged toilet paper salesman leading a monotonous life. His routine takes a shocking turn when he discovers his wife, Reena (Kirti Kulhari), in an affair with Ranjit Arora (Arunoday Singh). Instead of confronting them, Dev decides to blackmail Ranjit, demanding money to keep the affair a secret. This action sets off a chain reaction of blackmail and deceit, involving colleagues, lovers, and even a private detective, each seeking to exploit the situation for personal gain .

The film’s strength lies in its sharp writing by Parveez Sheikh and witty dialogues by Pradhuman Singh, which keep the narrative engaging. The cast delivers strong performances, with Khan portraying Dev’s restrained intensity, while Singh adds humor as the opportunistic friend Anand. Arunoday Singh’s portrayal of Ranjit is both comical and sympathetic, making him a standout. The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the absurdity of the situations to unfold naturally. With a soundtrack by Amit Trivedi and rapper Divine, Blackmail offers a unique blend of dark humor and social commentary, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of deceit .