📌 Key Points
- Bobby Deol stars in Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Bandar,’ exploring [removed] assault allegations and public perception.
- Producer Nikhil Dwivedi defends the film, stating it’s ‘pro-justice,’ not ‘anti-women,’ amidst controversy.
- The film tackles societal reactions to truth, power, and justice in the digital age, focusing on accountability.
- Plot involves a celebrity’s downfall, legal battle, and family’s struggle as he insists on his innocence.
Producer Nikhil Dwivedi has addressed concerns about Bobby Deol’s upcoming film ‘Bandar,’ which tackles a [removed] assault case. Dwivedi emphasizes the film is ‘pro-justice,’ not ‘anti-women,’ exploring themes of fame, truth, and accountability in the digital age.
Bandar: A Thriller on Fame, Justice, and Accusations
Questions around fame, public perception and legal accountability sit at the centre of Bandar , the upcoming thriller directed by Anurag Kashyap . Headlined by Bobby Deol, the film explores the collapse of a fading celebrity after he becomes entangled in serious sexual assault allegations, while also examining how society reacts to truth, power and justice in the digital age. Ahead of the film’s release, Bobby Deol and producer Nikhil Dwivedi appeared on The Newshour at 9 on Times Now, where the conversation moved beyond the film itself and into larger debates surrounding gender, equal rights and legal accountability.
When asked whether the film risks portraying men as victims amid, referring to the Twisha Sharma case currently making headlines online, he said, “Our film is not against women. Whatever is happening with Twisha, we have been observing too. It’s unfortunate. It needs to be investigated. If there is a crime involved over there, people need to be punished. This is not an anti-women film, it’s a pro-justice film. We have to understand that nobody is saying, please don’t believe women when they have been wronged.”
Producer’s Defense: ‘Not Anti-Women, It’s Pro-Justice’
He further added, “But you have to believe in justice as well. We want to believe in justice more than we want to believe a particular gender… that is the hallmark of our constitution, our law. This is where the principle of our democracy stands. Justice needs to prevail.”
Things take a darker turn after a woman, played by Sapna Pabbi, accuses him of sexual assault. Sameer insists he is innocent and claims he is being framed, but the scandal quickly spirals into a public and legal nightmare. The fallout begins affecting everyone around him, including his family. Sanya Malhotra appears as Sameer’s sister, openly frustrated with his behaviour while also trying to navigate the media chaos surrounding the allegations.
The Plot Unfolds: Deol’s Character Faces Public Trial
Much of the film then shifts into a prison drama, with Sameer forced into violent jail environments, psychological breakdowns and growing paranoia. Rather than positioning him as entirely innocent or guilty, the trailer suggests the film is more interested in exploring uncomfortable moral grey zones.
The film also features an ensemble cast including Raj B Shetty, Saba Azad, Riddhi Sen, Jitendra Joshi, Indrajith Sukumaran and Nagesh Bhonsle. Produced under Saffron Magicworks, the film is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 5, 2026.
Ultimately, ‘Bandar’ aims to provoke thought on justice and public perception, not take a gendered stance. Dwivedi’s clarification sets the stage for a controversial yet thought-provoking film, exploring the complexities of legal and social accountability.
