Bandar movie review:
In the latest crime thriller, director Anurag Kashyap ventures into a very dark space which is all about accusation, judgement, media pressure and justice system.
The plot of the movie centres around Samar Mehra (played by Bobby Deol), an aging actor whose career and life are in shambles. And it turns into a tragedy when a lady who had an affair with him in the past accuses him of rape. After that, Samar faces police arrest, imprisonment and a completely shattered life.
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And let’s be honest – this is the part where things become very interesting.
As opposed to most films, Bandar isn’t concerned with the question of guilt/innocence of the accused and their immediate liberation. It takes time to reveal what kind of impact accusation can leave on the accused.
Bobby Deol steals the show
The main role isn’t performed as the charismatic character we are used to seeing in Bobby Deol’s recent movies. Samar is a vulnerable man full of frustration, fear and loss of self-control.
There is some helplessness in Bobby’s performance which is very convincing especially in prison parts. Besides, Samar isn’t an easily sympathetic character – and this fact is what makes this film so unique.
It should be mentioned that Sanya Malhotra is equally successful playing Samar’s sister, whereas Sapna Pabbi and Saba Azad add some color to the storyline. Among the supporting actors there are Indrajith Sukumaran, Raj B. Shetty and Jitendra Joshi.
Anurag Kashyap keeps it uncomfortable
This is probably one of the aspects which gives us a clue about Anurag’s style of directing.
The film isn’t concerned with the audience’s comfort and is full of many shades of grey. Sometimes you’ll feel frustrated with the way the plot develops, but that seems quite natural.
Moreover, the prison theme is also done very effectively. The cramped spaces, interrogations and constant feeling of being watched create an impression of suffocation. Instead of the action-packed parts, Bandar builds tension using people, dialogues and situations.
Not a perfect film
However, this doesn’t mean that the movie is flawless.
Sometimes the film forgets about the main storyline and some characters aren’t developed enough. The second half of the movie is a bit uneven too.
Still, there is enough here to keep you watching, especially if you enjoy crime dramas that are more interested in uncomfortable questions than straightforward entertainment.
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Final Verdict
Bandar is definitely not a light watch. It is dark, serious and sometimes deliberately uncomfortable.
Bobby Deol’s performance and Anurag Kashyap’s direction are the biggest positives, while the strong supporting cast adds further weight to the story.
If you are looking for a typical crime thriller packed with twists every few minutes, this may not be your film. But if you like slow-burning, gritty dramas that leave you thinking after the credits, Bandar is worth giving a shot on ZEE5.
Rating: 3.5/5
Where to Watch: ZEE5
Language: Hindi
Genre: Crime Thriller / Drama
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Raj B. Shetty, Indrajith Sukumaran, Jitendra Joshi
