Gandhari has a strong idea at its core but never turns that idea into a strong film. Directed by Devashish Makhija and written by Kanika Dhillon, the Netflix action thriller features Taapsee Pannu as Bani, a mother whose young daughter Mishty (Myrah Shivan) is kidnapped. After a violent attack leaves her temporarily blind, Bani uses her other senses to track down the people behind the abduction and enters the strange world of Joypurra, where child trafficking, behrupiyas and old legends come together.
The title is clearly rooted in the Mahabharata. Gandhari chooses to blindfold herself, while Bani is forced into blindness. The parallel could have given the film a powerful emotional and symbolic layer. Unfortunately, the writing never fully exploits it.
The premise is far more interesting than the film that emerges from it. The screenplay keeps creating situations that are supposed to generate suspense, but too many of them feel forced and convenient. Halfway through, you can sense there is a good story buried somewhere, but the writing keeps getting in its way.
Devashish Makhija manages to create some atmosphere, but even that is often undermined by an intrusive background score. In several scenes, the music is so loud that it hurts the dialogue rather than adding to the tension.
Taapsee Pannu throws herself into the action, but Bani feels like a familiar version of the tough, revenge driven characters she has played before. There are glimpses of her Naam Shabana and Baby zone, but without the same impact.
Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee and Mita Vashisht are dependable, but most of the supporting characters remain more functional than memorable. The action is neatly choreographed in places, yet several sequences feel staged rather than organic.
Gandhari had all the ingredients for a gripping mother versus trafficking network thriller. What it lacks is writing sharp enough to bring those ingredients together. The direct OTT release on Netflix also raises an uncomfortable question. Was the decision to skip cinemas simply a strategic streaming choice, or did those involved already sense that the film did not have enough theatrical pull? Either way, Gandhari feels less like a missed opportunity and more like a film that never found the conviction of its own promising idea.
Movie: Gandhari
Directed by: Devashish Makhija
Written by: Kanika Dhillon
Featuring: Taapsee Pannu, Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht
Streaming on: Netflix
OTT Release Date: 3 September 2026
Run Time: 1hr 56mins
Gandhari
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