Watch Autohead

Autohead is a gripping psychological thriller directed by Rohit Mittal that was released in 2016. Set in the bustling city of Mumbai, the film explores the life of a documentary filmmaker who is hired by a local rickshaw driver to make a movie about his life. The film is shot entirely from the perspective of a handheld camera, giving viewers the feeling of being right in the midst of the action.

We follow the life of the protagonist, Narayan (played by Deepak Sampat), a rickshaw driver with a dark and twisted past. He is depicted as being disillusioned with his mundane and uneventful life and is looking for a way out. He spends most of his days driving around the city and observing the people in it - from the prostitutes on the street corners to the wealthy businessmen in luxury cars. Narayan is often outspoken and controversial in his views, which makes him stand out from the other drivers.

Enter the documentary filmmaker, whose name we never find out. He is hired by Narayan to document his life, but soon he becomes increasingly involved in Narayan's world, eventually becoming part of the story himself. The filmmaker becomes interested in Narayan's life and the two form an uneasy bond as they navigate their way through the back alleys and seedy underbelly of Mumbai.

As the film progresses, we see the character of Narayan unfolding in front of our eyes. We see his gradual descent into a world of drugs, violence, and crime - this is a man who is quickly losing his grip on reality. We see him getting increasingly uncomfortable with the presence of the camera and we start to wonder if the filmmaker is in fact in danger. The camera becomes a weapon almost, a tool used by Narayan to control and manipulate those around him.

Throughout the film, we are constantly questioning the authenticity of what we are seeing. Is this a true-to-life depiction of Mumbai's dark spaces or is it just a mirage? We see the city in a completely different light than we are used to, the flashy high-rise buildings and sleek cars giving way to a more grittier, more sinister side. Autohead definitely succeeds in making us think about what we consider to be the truth.

The performances in the film are noteworthy, especially that of Deepak Sampat, who is disarmingly convincing as Narayan. He is intense, menacing, and completely believable in his portrayal of a man who is rapidly losing the ability to make sense of the world around him. Ronjini Chakraborty, who plays Narayan's wife, is also great in her role, and Vikrant Singh brings a sense of urgency and danger to the film as a whole.

This is definitely not a movie for the faint-hearted, as it deals with some pretty serious themes such as drugs, murder, and prostitution, all presented in a raw and unflinching manner. However, this is what makes the movie so compelling - it is a film that does not sugarcoat anything, and presents the city of Mumbai in its true, gritty form.

Autohead is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. It's a powerful and thought-provoking film that leaves you questioning our society's prevailing narratives. Rohit Mittal has made a stunning directorial debut with this film, and we can only hope that he continues to make more films like this in the future. If you are looking for a gripping, tense, and thought-provoking thriller, then Autohead is definitely a film worth watching.