Blackmail showcased Irrfan in a different space. Directed by Abhinay Deo, the film explored dark humour.

He played a middle-aged man stuck in a routine life. His marriage lacked excitement. Things changed when he discovered his wife’s affair. This led to unexpected twists and it starred Kirti Kulhari, Arunoday Singh, and Divya Dutta. It released in April 2018 and emerged as a sleeper hit and the film had a unique mix of thrill and comedy.