A synopsis is a detailed summary of a film’s plot, usually spanning 1-2 pages. It outlines the key events of the story, giving a clear picture of the narrative structure while keeping the reader engaged. Unlike a logline (which is just a sentence or two), a synopsis provides a step-by-step breakdown of how the story unfolds, covering the beginning, middle, and end.

Imagine you are in a room full of producers, investors, or festival programmers. You have a compelling story, but they don’t have time to read the full script. Instead, they want a crisp, engaging, and structured synopsis that gives them everything they need to know—without losing the intrigue.

📌 For pitching: Producers, investors, and studios often request a synopsis before reading a full script.

📌 For clarity: Writing a synopsis helps identify plot holes or weak story elements before going into production.

📌 For marketing: A well-crafted synopsis can be used to create promotional materials (trailers, summaries, press kits).

A great synopsis should be:

✅ Concise yet engaging – Avoid unnecessary subplots and minor details.

✅ Written in the present tense – Even if the movie is in the past, synopses are always written in present tense.

✅ Focused on the main characters – Side characters are only mentioned if they are crucial to the story.

✅ Spoiler-filled (but strategic) – Unlike a trailer, a synopsis includes the ending, but it should still keep some level of intrigue.

So, what does your synopsis contain? Let’s break it down step by step.

Your first couple of lines should set the tone and immediately draw the reader into your story. Think of it as the written equivalent of a movie trailer’s opening shot.

📌 Example (Andhadhun):

"Akash, a blind pianist in Pune, believes his disability is his greatest asset—until he witnesses a murder that turns his life into a deadly game of survival."

Why this works:

✅ Concise – Only one sentence, but it introduces the protagonist, conflict, and stakes.

✅ Engaging – "A blind pianist witnesses a murder" immediately raises questions.

✅ Sets the tone – Thriller? Mystery? We get the vibe instantly.

This section gives a brief but vivid introduction to:

✔ The protagonist – Who is the main character?

✔ The setting – Where does the story take place?

✔ The initial conflict – What is the character’s normal world before it’s disrupted?

📌 Example (Andhadhun):

"Akash, a passionate pianist, pretends to be blind to enhance his musical skills and gain sympathy gigs. He plays at a cozy café, where he meets Sophie, a warm-hearted girl who believes in his talent. His world changes when a retired actor, Pramod Sinha, invites him to perform at his house for a special surprise—only for Akash to stumble into a scene of cold-blooded murder."

Why this works:

✅ Paints a picture – The reader gets a sense of who Akash is, his deception, and his aspirations.

✅ Introduces key characters – Sophie, Pramod Sinha, and the world they inhabit.

✅ Hints at the turning point – Something sinister is about to happen.

This is where you introduce:

✔ The inciting incident (the event that changes everything).

✔ The protagonist’s dilemma (what do they stand to lose or gain?).

✔ The antagonists (who or what is in their way?).

✔ The rising stakes (why does this situation become more dangerous?).

📌 Example (Andhadhun):

"Akash, still pretending to be blind, realizes he has witnessed a murder—Pramod Sinha’s wife, Simi, and her lover, a corrupt police officer, are responsible. Fearful for his life, Akash plays along, pretending he saw nothing. But Simi suspects him. She tests his blindness, pushing Akash into a deadly cat-and-mouse game. When he tries to escape, he is captured and blinded for real. Now, he must outsmart his captors without the very advantage that once helped him fake his disability."

Why this works:

✅ Builds suspense – The reader is hooked, wondering how will Akash escape?

✅ Raises the stakes – Akash is no longer just pretending to be blind—he actually is!

✅ Character transformation begins – He must now truly fight for survival.

✔ How does the protagonist confront the biggest challenge?

✔ Is there a twist or unexpected turn?

✔ Does the story have an emotional payoff?

📌 Example (Andhadhun):

"Just when Akash believes he is free, he is tricked into another deadly situation. Simi returns, forcing him into a final confrontation. Using only his wits and music, Akash turns the tables on his enemies. In a shocking climax, the lines between truth and illusion blur—leaving us questioning whether Akash was truly blind all along or if he orchestrated his own fate."

Why this works:

✅ Creates intrigue – The synopsis reveals the climax without spoiling the final mystery.

✅ Emphasizes transformation – Akash evolves from a passive observer to an active survivor.

✅ Keeps the reader thinking – It teases an ambiguous ending, just like the film.

✔ What is the final outcome for the protagonist?

✔ Does the story end with a resolution or an open question?

✔ How does it leave the audience feeling?

📌 Example (Andhadhun):

"Months later, Akash is seen in Europe, still playing the piano—this time, without pretense. Sophie questions whether he was ever truly blind. He simply smiles and walks away, leaving us uncertain about the truth. Andhadhun is not just a thriller but an exploration of deception, morality, and the unpredictability of fate."

Why this works:

✅ Leaves a lasting impact – It doesn’t just summarize events but captures the theme of the film.

✅ Encourages discussion – It makes the reader want to watch the movie to interpret the ending.

✔ Captivating Opening – Does the first sentence hook the reader?

✔ Clear Structure – Is the story flowing naturally from beginning to end?

✔ Emotional Engagement – Does it evoke curiosity, tension, and excitement?

✔ Concise Yet Complete – Is it 1-2 pages max without unnecessary details?

✔ No Excessive Character Names – Only key players should be mentioned.

✔ Present Tense, Active Voice – Does it read like a movie happening now?

When you pitch your movie, you’re not just summarizing events—you’re selling a cinematic experience. A well-written synopsis should make the reader feel like they are already watching the film in their head.

Akash (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a gifted pianist living in Pune who claims to be blind. His world is meticulously crafted—he moves with precision, avoiding obstacles effortlessly, revealing his blindness as a calculated act. He maintains this deception believing that the absence of sight heightens his other senses, particularly his music.

One day, Akash meets Sophie (Radhika Apte), a free-spirited woman who offers him a performance spot at her father's café. Their connection deepens as she becomes impressed by his talent, and romance blossoms. His musical abilities also catch the attention of former Bollywood star Pramod Sinha (Anil Dhawan), who invites Akash to perform at his home as a surprise for his wife, Simi (Tabu).

Akash's visit to their luxurious apartment turns nightmarish when, while playing the piano, he discovers Pramod Sinha's freshly killed body. The murderer is none other than Simi, Pramod's glamorous but ruthless wife, who committed the crime with her lover, Inspector Manohar (Manav Vij).

Maintaining his façade of blindness, Akash continues playing, masking his terror. Simi observes him intently, testing whether his blindness is genuine. As he leaves the apartment, he carries a dangerous secret. The pressing question remains—do they know he is faking it?

The stakes escalate when Simi suspects Akash's deception and resolves to silence him. What ensues is a deadly cat-and-mouse game where Akash becomes ensnared in a web of danger—drugged, kidnapped, and thrust into the clutches of a corrupt doctor running an illegal organ trafficking operation.

As the body count rises and loyalties shift, Akash fights for survival while confronting impossible moral dilemmas. His desperate flight from Simi's reach culminates in a shocking and ambiguous ending that leaves viewers pondering:

A masterful blend of dark comedy, suspense, and thriller elements, Andhadhun delivers sharp storytelling with unpredictable twists. Drawing inspiration from Hitchcockian suspense and the Coen Brothers' style of dark humor, the film delights in subverting audience expectations. Just when viewers think they've unraveled the mystery—everything shifts.