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Comedy thriller

Blackmail (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Blackmail (2018) movie poster

Blackmail is a 2018 comedy thriller directed by Abhinay Deo, starring Irrfan Khan as Dev Kaushal, Kirti Kulhari and Arunoday Singh. It runs 2 hours 18 minutes and earned $3 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 85/100.

worldwide gross
$3M
Echo Score
85
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Blackmail (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 18m (138 min)
Director
Abhinay Deo
Genres
Thriller , Comedy
Original language
Hindi
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blackmail About?

The premise of Blackmail without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When Dev finds about his wife’s affair, he starts blackmailing her and her lover but the blackmail game backfires on him.

Blackmail Themes & Keywords

· 9 tags
  • blackmail
  • cheating
  • wife cheating on husband
  • coworker coworker relationship
  • murder investigation
  • revenge
  • smoking
  • husband cheating on wife
  • dark comedy
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Cast & crew

Blackmail Cast & Characters

Irrfan Khan leads the cast as Dev Kaushal, with Kirti Kulhari as Reena and Arunoday Singh as Ranjit Arora. Directed by Abhinay Deo; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Blackmail

· 8 more
From the director

More from Abhinay Deo

More films directed by Abhinay Deo, best-rated first: Delhi Belly, Savi, Force 2 and Game.

Full filmography
Ratings

Blackmail Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (78).

85 /100

Blackmail Echo Score Breakdown

Blackmail delivers a consistently entertaining black‑comedy experience anchored by strong performances and clever writing. The direction maintains a brisk, witty tone while the screenplay weaves intricate blackmail schemes that keep the narrative engaging. Production values, including a lively soundtrack and polished visuals, complement the genre’s dark humor. Although the climax feels abrupt to some viewers, the film’s overall impact remains positive, offering a fresh addition to Bollywood’s comedy landscape.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, Abhinay Deo’s direction sustains a sharp, satirical rhythm that aligns with the film’s black‑comedy tone. Visual composition remains competent, supporting the narrative without drawing attention to itself. While specific cinematographic highlights are not repeatedly noted, the overall editing and production design contribute to a cohesive and polished presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble delivers nuanced performances, with Irrfan Khan’s portrayal of Dev receiving particular acclaim for its subtlety and humanity. Supporting actors such as Arunoday Singh, Kirti Kulhari, Divya Dutta and Omi Vaidya are noted for solidifying the film’s emotional stakes. The chemistry among the cast reinforces the credibility of the intricate black‑mail dynamics.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, the screenplay is praised for its clever intertwining of multiple blackmail schemes and its sharp, witty dialogue. Reviewers highlight the originality of the premise and the engaging pacing, though some note an abrupt or ambiguous climax that leaves resolution feeling incomplete. Overall, the narrative succeeds in sustaining interest throughout most of its runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    When evaluating sensory experience, the soundtrack receives strong commendation, with Amit Trivedi’s compositions cited among his best work and complemented by contributions from Badshah and Guru Randhawa. Sound design supports the film’s tonal shifts, while visual styling remains functional, reinforcing the dark‑comedy atmosphere. No significant criticism of audio‑visual elements is noted, indicating a largely satisfying sensory presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    The film’s rewatch factor is high due to its layered plot, witty dialogue, and strong performances that reveal new details on subsequent viewings. While the abrupt ending may prompt discussion, the overall blend of dark humor and intricate black‑mail mechanics encourages audiences to return for another round of the story’s twists.

Plot

Blackmail Plot Summary

What happens in Blackmail from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Dev Kaushal Irrfan Khan is a toilet paper sales executive trapped in a life that feels dull both at work and at home. One day, hoping to brighten things up for his wife, he returns early from the office, only to walk in on Reena Kaushal Kirti Kulhari in bed with another man, Ranjit Arora Arunoday Singh. Instead of reacting with anger, he quietly steps back and decides to shadow the man to uncover who he really is and what he’s hiding.

Full summary

The whole story of Blackmail, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Blackmail Box Office

Blackmail grossed $3 million worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3M

International
$3M
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blackmail?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrays the character Dev Kaushal?

Cars

Cars in Blackmail

28 cars on screen, including the 1970 Chrysler Newport and the 2000 Ford Crown Victoria.

All 28 cars
  • 1970 Chrysler Newport in Blackmail 1970 Chrysler Newport Important role
  • 2000 Ford Crown Victoria in Blackmail 2000 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 2009 Ford Crown Victoria in Blackmail 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 1995 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine in Blackmail 1995 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Minor role
Details

Blackmail Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “แบล็คเมล แค้นนี้ต้องชำระ” and “Şantaj”.

Also known as
  • แบล็คเมล แค้นนี้ต้องชำระ
  • Şantaj
  • 勒索
  • הסחיטה
  • 블랙메일

Seen Blackmail?

FAQ

Blackmail FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Blackmail, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Blackmail?

Blackmail runs 2 hours 18 minutes (138 minutes).

When was Blackmail released?

Blackmail was released on April 6, 2018.

Who directed Blackmail?

Blackmail was directed by Abhinay Deo.

More films by Abhinay Deo

Who is in the cast of Blackmail?

Blackmail stars Irrfan Khan as Dev Kaushal, Kirti Kulhari as Reena and Arunoday Singh as Ranjit Arora, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Blackmail make at the box office?

Blackmail grossed $3 million worldwide.

Does Blackmail have a post-credit scene?

No. Blackmail has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Blackmail in?

The original language of Blackmail is Hindi.

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