Anurag Kashyap has never been a filmmaker who chooses the easy route. His films often explore uncomfortable themes, morally grey characters, and situations that force audiences to question their own beliefs. With Bandar, the filmmaker once again dives into dark territory. However, unlike his gangster dramas or crime thrillers, this film focuses on something far more personal and emotionally disturbing.
Starring Bobby Deol, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Sanya Malhotra, Indrajith Sukumaran, Jitendra Joshi, and Raj B. Shetty, Bandar is a prison drama wrapped inside a legal and psychological thriller. At first glance, it appears to be the story of a celebrity accused of rape. But beneath the surface, it becomes a deeper examination of public perception, media trials, emotional trauma, and the devastating consequences of being trapped inside a system that moves at its own pace.
Released amid a box office clash with David Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Bandar offers something entirely different. It is dark, intense, uncomfortable, and often difficult to watch. While the film isn’t without flaws, it benefits enormously from Bobby Deol’s outstanding performance and Anurag Kashyap’s refusal to take the predictable route.
Bandar Story
The story revolves around Sameer Mehra, played by Bobby Deol, a once-popular singer struggling to revive his fading career. His personal life is equally unstable. Looking for companionship, he connects with Gayatri, played by Sapna Pabbi, through a dating application.
What begins as a brief and passionate relationship soon comes to an end as Sameer moves on with his life. He later finds happiness with Khushi, played by Saba Azad, and begins a fresh relationship. Just when life appears to be stabilizing, everything changes overnight.
Gayatri files a rape complaint against Sameer under Section 376. Despite repeatedly maintaining his innocence, the evidence appears heavily stacked against him. The legal system moves swiftly, and Sameer finds himself denied bail. Soon, he is thrown into prison.
What follows is not merely a legal battle but an emotional and psychological nightmare. Inside jail, Sameer encounters violence, manipulation, fear, and constant mental torture. Every day becomes a fight for survival. As public opinion turns against him and media narratives shape his image, Sameer struggles to hold onto his sanity. Whether he can endure the system, survive prison life, and ultimately prove his innocence forms the central conflict of Bandar.
Bandar Review
Bandar feels like classic Anurag Kashyap cinema from the very beginning. It is raw, uncomfortable, and unapologetically harsh. What immediately stands out is the film’s refusal to become a conventional courtroom thriller. Most films dealing with accusations and legal battles usually build towards dramatic revelations or shocking twists. Kashyap is not interested in any of that.
Instead, he focuses on the psychological damage caused by accusation, imprisonment, and public judgment. The screenplay, written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, thrives in moral ambiguity. It constantly places viewers in uncomfortable situations where clear answers are hard to find. The film does not attempt to simplify complex issues.
Rather than presenting characters as purely good or purely evil, it explores how trauma, anger, power, and personal experiences shape human behavior. One of the strongest aspects of the film is its exploration of public perception.
The moment allegations surface, Sameer is judged not only by the legal system but also by society, the media, and people who know very little about the truth. The film effectively captures how quickly narratives are formed and how difficult it becomes to escape them. The prison portions are particularly effective.
Kashyap creates a suffocating atmosphere where every interaction carries tension. The jail feels authentic, dangerous, and psychologically exhausting. The fear inside the prison is often more disturbing than any physical violence shown on screen. The police investigation sequences are equally gripping. They add realism and maintain suspense without relying on exaggerated cinematic tricks. However, the film is not without flaws.
The biggest issue emerges in the second half. While the first half remains consistently engaging, the narrative loses some momentum later. Certain sequences stretch longer than necessary, and the pacing becomes noticeably slower. A tighter edit could have significantly improved the overall impact. Some portions also feel repetitive, particularly when the film revisits similar emotional beats repeatedly.
Despite these issues, the film succeeds because it constantly keeps the audience emotionally invested in Sameer’s journey. Technically, Bandar remains impressive. The cinematography captures the bleakness of the narrative beautifully. Dark prison corridors, interrogation rooms, and confined spaces create an atmosphere of constant discomfort.
The production design adds authenticity to the prison environment. The editing is mostly sharp, though the latter portions could have benefited from more restraint. The background score deserves special praise. It quietly amplifies tension without becoming intrusive. Instead of dictating emotions, it enhances the unease already present in the story.
Bandar Performances
The film belongs to Bobby Deol. This is easily one of the finest performances of his career. Over the last few years, Bobby has largely been associated with intimidating and villainous characters. Bandar allows him to showcase a completely different side. His portrayal of Sameer is filled with vulnerability, confusion, fear, and emotional exhaustion.
What makes the performance particularly effective is its restraint. Bobby avoids melodrama and instead relies on subtle expressions and body language. The gradual breakdown of his character feels authentic and heartbreaking. He carries the film effortlessly.
Sapna Pabbi leaves a strong impact despite limited screen time. She ensures Gayatri never becomes a one-dimensional character. There is complexity in her performance, making viewers constantly question their assumptions.
Saba Azad brings warmth and emotional stability to the film. Her scenes provide much-needed emotional relief amidst the darkness.
Sanya Malhotra delivers one of the film’s most heartfelt performances as Sameer’s fiercely protective sister. Her emotional scenes add genuine depth to the narrative. Among the supporting cast, Indrajith Sukumaran is exceptional. As Lijo, he creates a constant sense of danger without ever raising his voice. His calm demeanor makes him even more intimidating.
Raj B. Shetty is a complete scene-stealer. His eccentric prisoner adds unpredictability and dark humor to the prison environment. Jitendra Joshi effectively portrays a corrupt and deeply unlikeable police officer, while Ankush Gedam brings intensity to his role as a volatile prison figure.
Final Verdict
Bandar is not an easy film to watch, nor does it try to be. Anurag Kashyap delivers a dark, unsettling, and thought-provoking prison drama that raises difficult questions about justice, perception, and emotional trauma. The film refuses to offer simple answers, and that honesty becomes one of its biggest strengths.
While the second half occasionally loses momentum and some portions feel stretched, the film remains engaging because of its strong performances and gripping atmosphere. Bobby Deol delivers one of the best performances of his career, carrying the emotional weight of the narrative with remarkable conviction.
Bandar may not be among Anurag Kashyap’s finest works, but it is certainly one of his most thought-provoking films in recent years. For viewers who enjoy realistic dramas with moral complexity and psychological depth, Bandar is worth a watch.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
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