Directed by Devashish Makhija, Gandhari follows Bani, played by Taapsee Pannu. Her daughter is taken from a train in Joypurra, a town that exists only in the film, set in Bengal. After the abduction, Bani gets hurt while she tries to stop it. Later, doctors tell her she will have temporary blindness. Even with that, she does not stop. She decides to hunt for her child herself. Pannu brings real physical effort to the part. You can see Bani’s resolve clearly, especially in the moments where she is frightened, furious, or forced beyond her limit. The best scenes are the action parts, where her anger and need feel close and immediate. Ishwak Singh plays Bani’s husband. He adds warmth and sincerity. Still, his role is not expanded much, so his character does not stay with you as strongly.
Gandhari Movie Review: Familiar Revenge Story Struggles To Build Emotional Connect
The story of a mother trying hard to save her kidnapped daughter has been a theme for many Bollywood movies in the past. Maa, Mom, and Jazbaa are some such movies that depict stories of mothers searching for their abducted daughters. But Gandhari tries to add a fresh dimension to the theme by blending Bani’s personal quest with the story of other girls who have gone missing. But in the movie, it does take some time for the audience to develop an emotional connection.Â
Gandhari Review: Devashish Makhija’s Thriller Gets The Action Right
Gandhari works better when it stays on the action and the thriller side. Devashish Makhija makes Bani’s hunt for her daughter feel sharp and heavy. You can see how far she will go just to get the child back. The plot also steps outside Bani’s pain. A new police officer arrives, and Jatin Sarna plays him with a steady focus. He begins to look into the missing girls in Joypurra. This brings in a second thread and keeps the mystery from fading. There are chase scenes and action beats with enough speed to keep you watching. The tension jumps again when Bani stops waiting for help and decides to act herself.
Gandhari Movie Review: Strong Performances But Uneven Writing Holds It Back
Gandhari has some solid moments, mainly because of its cast. Taapsee Pannu looks like she is really trying, especially when she shifts between Bani’s anger, fear, and will to push forward. The fight and chase scenes land more often than they miss, and she keeps the story moving even when the script slows down. Jatin Sarna works well as the cop who is trying to find the missing girls. Ishwak Singh also fits his part and brings a grounded tone.Â
