Bandar follows Sameer Mehra (Bobby Deol), a fading movie star desperately trying to hold on to his relevance. Just when he appears to be rebuilding his life and finding comfort in a new relationship, everything falls apart after a former girlfriend levels a serious allegation against him. What follows is a high-profile legal battle that places him under intense public scrutiny.
Written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, Bandar steers clear of conventional courtroom drama tropes. Instead, it explores the murky intersection of social media outrage, public perception, and a justice system where truth often gets lost amid competing narratives.
Anurag Kashyap, known for his raw and often chaotic filmmaking style, adopts a surprisingly restrained and mature approach here. Rather than sensationalising a sensitive subject, he focuses on the psychological toll experienced by a man trapped in circumstances spiralling beyond his control. The prison sequences are among the film’s strongest aspects. Shot with remarkable intensity, they create a suffocating atmosphere that effectively conveys the protagonist’s isolation and desperation. The writing also deserves praise for avoiding simplistic moral judgments. Instead of presenting easy answers, the film challenges viewers to question their own assumptions about social media trials and the culture of instant public verdicts.
At nearly two hours and twenty minutes, Bandar begins to lose momentum in its second half. Several subplots feel stretched and could have benefited from tighter editing. While the film’s commitment to ambiguity is admirable, its refusal to provide a clearer emotional resolution may leave some viewers dissatisfied. Audiences seeking a definitive moral stance or a conventional payoff might find themselves emotionally detached by the time the credits roll.
Bobby Deol delivers one of the finest performances of his career. Moving away from the intimidating screen presence that defined many of his recent roles, he brings vulnerability, confusion, arrogance, and helplessness to Sameer Mehra. It is a layered performance that once again showcases his versatility as an actor.
Sanya Malhotra is dependable as always, lending authenticity and emotional weight to her character. Saba Azad and Sapna Pabbi make strong impressions in roles that could easily have been underwritten in a lesser film.
Jitendra Joshi is a scene-stealer, commanding attention whenever he appears on screen. Raj B Shetty and Indrajith Sukumaran also leave a lasting impact with their raw and compelling performances.
Bandar is an unsettling and morally complex thriller that refuses to spoon-feed its audience. It is not designed to be a comfortable watch, nor does it offer easy answers. While its sluggish second half prevents it from reaching greatness, the film remains engaging thanks to Bobby Deol’s outstanding performance and Anurag Kashyap’s thoughtful direction.
For viewers willing to embrace ambiguity and difficult questions, Bandar offers a rewarding cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Rating: 3.5/5