Bandar Movie Review: A Film That Leaves You Questioning Everything, But Not Fully Satisfied

Bandar was released in theatres on June 5, 2026. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film stars Bobby Deol, Sapna Pabbi, Sanya Malhotra, Saba Azad, Indrajith Sukumaran, Raj B. Shetty and others.

Known internationally as Monkey in a Cage, the film first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 before arriving in Indian theatres.

Story
At its core, Bandar is a story about relationships, accusations, perception and the consequences of decisions made in moments of anger and emotion.

The film follows Sameer Mehra (Bobby Deol), a television actor whose popularity is slowly fading. His life seems to be moving forward after he starts a new relationship. But things turn when a woman from his past returns. What begins as a personal conflict soon turns into a legal battle that completely changes his life.

Without revealing too much, the film deals with allegations, public opinion, social media judgement and the criminal justice system. It asks difficult questions but avoids giving easy answers.

Performance
One of the strongest parts of Bandar is Bobby Deol. The film largely rests on his shoulders and he carries it with ease. His performance feels controlled and natural. Through most of the film, viewers experience the story through his confusion, fear and frustration.

Sapna Pabbi plays one of the most important characters in the story. Her performance stays with you long after the film ends. Through her expressions, dialogue delivery and body language, she brings complexity to a character that could have easily been reduced to a stereotype.

Sanya Malhotra appears in a smaller role as Sameer’s sister but leaves an impact. Her scenes feel believable and she shares convincing sibling emotions with Bobby Deol.

One aspect that stands out is the portrayal of jail life. The film does not romanticise prison. It shows overcrowded slots, painful living conditions, domination among inmates and the everyday struggle of survival inside the system. Some scenes are hard to watch, but they help develop the world that Sameer is forced into.

For most of its runtime, Bandar keeps viewers invested. But the film ends abruptly which leaves several questions unanswered.

Bandar is best at human behaviour and how fast society forms opinions without knowing the complete truth. It also brings out how one decision can completely change multiple lives.

The film raises important questions and delivers strong performances, but its ending prevents it from achieving the impact it could have.

Verdict
Bandar is a film that makes you think about relationships, accusations, public judgement and consequences. Bobby Deol delivers one of the strongest performances in the film, supported by a cast that understands the material. The film is engrossing, but the snappy ending leaves the story feeling incomplete.