Gandhari Review: Taapsee Pannu’s Child Trafficking Thriller Is Emotional And The Need Of The Hour

Film:
Gandhari

Director: Devashish Makhija

Writer: Kanika Dhillon

Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee and Mita Vashisht

Runtime: 115 minutes (1 Hour, 55 Minutes)

Platform: In Theatres

Gandhari Review

Gandhari is every parent’s worst nightmare coming true. Written by Kanika Dhillon, the crime thriller follows the ordeal Bani (Taapsee Pannu) and Gokul (Ishwak Singh) go through when their five-year-old daughter, Mishti (Myrah Shivan) is abducted at Joypurra railway station. While Bani chases after the sari-clad stranger who kidnapped her daughter, she’s hit on the head and looses her vision. The duo then run from pillar to post, trying to get the police to find their daughter before she’s lost in the child trafficking ring. However, they are met with an uninterested police unit.

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While the police refrain from actively searching for Mishti and the other kidnapped children, in steps the Anti Human Trafficking Unit, led by Jatin Sarna. Over the next month, Bani – despite gaining her vision little by little, chooses to live a life in darkness in order to traves through Joypurra and find her daughter. Will she find her daughter? While we join Bani on her journey to find Mishti, we are introduced to several characters such as Uma Didi (Chhaya Kadam) – a water filter service agent who is also Gokul and Bani’s neighbour, Churni Didi (Swastika Mukherjee) – a NGO worker, Jhunu Amba (Mita Vashisht) – a jhalmuri sellers who helps Bani hone her fighting skills as a blind, members of the paint-faced behrupiya troupes – led by Dada (Prashant Narayanans), inspectors, nurses and many more.

Does Bani find Mishti? Are the other kids saved? Who is the mastermind behind the kidnappings? To know all the answers, one needs to watch Gandhari; and here’s our review about the crime thriller.

What Works

The core story has substance and is something that is relevant to today’s time. The narrative is interesting, however, it lacks when it comes to delivering

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What Doesn’t Work

The acting is not consistent. The storytelling makes Taapsee’s character more as a superhero than a mother trying her best to find her child, aka, the screenplay is very convenient for Bani.

Technical Analysis

Direction

Devashish Makhija has done a good enough job when it comes to creating a world that feels real. His knack for atmospheric storytelling is on-point as well as the manner in while he conveys the urgency of the situation.

Story & Screenplay

While Kanika Dhillon’s is good, the manner in which it is presented could have been better. The story is somewhat predictable, despite a twist that will initially shock you. However, the situations, especially those in the second half seem too convenient and appear served on the platter for Bani.

While it supposed to be thriller, there is nothing thrilling that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story lacks dept, with each revelation being nothing more than convineance for the lead actress.

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Music

The film’s music – composed by Shor Police (Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes), is good and does add to the narrative.

Star Cast

This department could have been one of the high points of Gandhari, however, it suffers. Taapsee Pannu is good but fails to remain consistent through out. Ishwak’s portrayal of a desperate father and powerless husband is good, but the actor’s isn’t used to his full potential. Mita Vashist, Swastika Mukherjee, Prashant Narayanan all could have been given more meatier parts/screen time.

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Conclusion

Given the rise in crimes against children, especially their trafficking, Gandhari is a must watch. While the narrative does seem too convenient at time, it does nothing to diminish the stress a mother endures and the limits she will go to in order to be reunited with her kid. Do watch the film – it’s not only entertainment, it’s an eye opener and everyone needs to be aware of the ills present and prevalent in society.

Watch the trailer of Gandhari here:

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Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.