Anurag Kashyap’s 'Bandar' with Bobby Deol is compelling, but lacks balance | Movie Review

Anurag Kashyap has always been known for telling stories that make audiences uncomfortable and think. From ‘Dev D’ and ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ to ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Udta Punjab,’ he has never shied away from difficult subjects. With ‘Bandar’, he takes on one of his most controversial themes yet, a man whose life falls apart after he is jailed for a crime he says he did not commit.

The film naturally brings to mind India's MeToo movement, which exposed many cases of sexual harassment and abuse. While the movement was an important step toward justice for women, it also raised questions about whether some innocent men could be caught in the system. ‘Bandar’ chooses to explore that side of the conversation.

Bobby Deol plays Samar Mehra, a struggling actor hoping to revive his fading career. Buried under financial troubles and waiting for a long-delayed project to take off, his life changes overnight when he is arrested under Section 375. Suddenly, he is no longer fighting for a comeback but for his freedom and reputation.

The film works best when it focuses on Samar's life behind bars. Kashyap effectively shows the shock of a man used to fame and comfort being thrown into a harsh prison environment. Watching him deal with overcrowded cells, filthy toilets and the loss of his dignity is often disturbing. The film successfully makes viewers think about whether innocent men who are wrongly accused also need stronger protection under the law.

Even within the limited setting of a prison, Kashyap keeps the story engaging. The atmosphere feels tense and uncomfortable, pulling the audience into Samar's struggle. However, the film is less effective when it comes to its central conflict. While it wants to highlight the possibility of a false accusation, it doesn't spend enough time developing the woman's side of the story. The narrative appears eager to establish Samar's innocence without fully developing the other side of the story. As a result, the film's argument feels incomplete. 

Women deserve justice and their stories need to keep being told. When a filmmaker chooses to take the other side, it should avoid being one-sided, which to an extent ‘Bandar’ becomes. Despite this, the film, written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, deserves credit for acknowledging some of the flaws of its male characters rather than presenting them as completely innocent. 

The performances are among the film's biggest strengths. After ‘Animal', Bobby Deol delivers another impressive performance. This role is more emotional and restrained, and he convincingly portrays a man dealing with fear, shame and uncertainty. Kannada actor Raj B Shetty makes a strong impact despite limited screen time. His quirky and flamboyant presence brings energy to the prison scenes. Indrajith Sukumaran is also effective as Lijo, a Malayali inmate who becomes an important part of Samar's journey. Saba Azad, Sanya Malhotra and Sapna Pabbi deliver equally powerful performances.

On the technical side, Shivahari Varma's background score perfectly supports the film's dark tone, while songs by Amit Trivedi and Vishal Mishra leave a lasting impression. Overall, ‘Bandar’ tackles a difficult subject with courage and features strong performances, especially from Bobby Deol. While the film raises important questions, it would have been far more convincing if it had explored both sides of the debate with greater depth.