# Bobby Deol’s Best Performance Yet? Bandar Review — Anurag Kashyap’s Courtroom Thriller That Will Make You Question Everything You Think You Know

URL: https://technosports.co.in/bobby-deols-best-bandar-review-anurag-kashyaps/  
Published: 2026-06-05  
Updated: 2026-06-05  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

There are films that entertain. And then there are films that disturb you — in the most necessary, thought-provoking way possible. **Bandar**, directed by **Anurag Kashyap** and starring **Bobby Deol** in a career-redefining role, firmly belongs to the second category. This isn’t a comfortable watch. But it is absolutely a worthy one.

## Bandar — Overview

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| Film | Bandar |
| Director | Anurag Kashyap |
| Lead Cast | Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, Saba Azad, Sapna Pabbi, Jitendra Joshi, Raj B Shetty, Indrajith Sukumaran |
| Writers | Sudip Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee |
| Genre | Legal Thriller / Drama |
| Rating | ⭐ 3.5 / 5 |

## What Is Bandar About?

The film follows **Samar Mehra**, a fading Bollywood star desperately clinging to his past glory. Just as he begins rebuilding his life and finds solace in a new relationship, a former girlfriend files a heinous allegation against him, dragging him into a vicious high-profile legal battle. The screenplay, by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, deliberately moves away from conventional Bollywood courtroom setups — instead plunging headfirst into the murky world of social media trials, warped public perception, and a sluggish judicial system where truth gets buried under endless layers of grey.

In an era where [trial by social media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_by_media) has become a very real phenomenon, Bandar couldn’t feel more timely or relevant.

![Bandar](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/bannd55-1024x576.webp)

## What Works Brilliantly

Known for his chaotic, raw energy, Anurag Kashyap takes a surprisingly mature and restrained approach here. He avoids sensationalizing the subject, choosing instead to focus on the psychological claustrophobia of the protagonist. The prison sequences in particular are exceptionally well-shot, creating a suffocating and raw atmosphere. The script also bravely sidesteps preachy black-and-white monologues, forcing audiences to confront their own biases about the digital judge-and-jury culture of today.

That restraint, coming from Kashyap of all directors, is what makes Bandar genuinely surprising.

## What Doesn’t Quite Land

At nearly two hours and twenty minutes, the film feels noticeably weighed down in the second half, with a few subplots demanding too much patience and the narrative stretching thin. The film also deliberately refuses to take a definitive moral stance or offer a neat resolution — something cinephiles will appreciate, but mainstream viewers hoping for an emotional payoff may find frustrating.

This is a film that asks questions rather than providing answers. Whether that’s a strength or weakness depends entirely on what kind of viewer you are.

## Performances: The Real Stars

**Bobby Deol** is the beating heart of *Bandar*. Stripping away the menacing villainy of his recent hits, he delivers a deeply vulnerable, understated performance, portraying Samar with a compelling mix of arrogance, confusion, and raw helplessness — proving his immense range as an actor.

**Sanya Malhotra** grounds her screen time with trademark reliability, while **Saba Azad** and **Sapna Pabbi** bring genuine nuance to roles that could easily have been sidelined. **Jitendra Joshi** is a complete scene-stealer, and **Indrajith Sukumaran** and **Raj B Shetty** deliver raw, show-stealing turns of their own.

For more Bollywood film reviews, ratings, and box office analysis as they drop every Friday, head straight to [TechnoSports’ entertainment section](https://technosports.co.in) and never miss a beat.

## Conclusion

Bandar is an unsettling, morally complex thriller that refuses to spoon-feed its audience. While sluggish second-half pacing keeps it from being an absolute masterpiece, it is unquestionably worth watching for Bobby Deol’s spectacular performance and Anurag Kashyap’s gritty, thought-provoking storytelling.

If you go in expecting a typical Bollywood courtroom drama — you’ll be surprised. If you go in expecting Kashyap to make you uncomfortable and think — you’ll be rewarded. For more must-watch Bollywood content picks and weekend film guides, [TechnoSports has you covered](https://technosports.co.in).

## FAQs

### **Q: Is Bandar suitable for all audiences or is it a niche watch?**

 Bandar is a slow-burn legal thriller best suited for viewers who enjoy morally complex, thought-provoking cinema — it may not appeal to those seeking mainstream entertainment with a clear resolution.

### **Q: How is Bobby Deol’s performance in Bandar compared to his recent villain roles?**

  
Bobby Deol shifts dramatically from his intimidating villainous avatars to deliver a deeply vulnerable, understated performance as a fading star — widely considered among his finest work to date.