The official trailer for Anurag Kashyap‘s upcoming crime thriller Bandar dropped on May 21, 2026, and it shows Bobby Deol in a completely different light. The two-and-a-half-minute trailer takes viewers into a dark world of fame, dating apps, and serious legal trouble.
Deol plays Sameer Mehra, a washed-up rockstar trying to stay relevant. But the glitz and glamour quickly fade away when he gets arrested for s*xual assault. The film marks the first time Deol and Kashyap have worked together, and the trailer promises a raw, uncomfortable watch.
A Rockstar’s Life Turns Into A Nightmare
The trailer opens with Sameer at a high-profile party. He wears a shiny jacket and dark sunglasses, looking every bit the rockstar. But this polished image breaks apart piece by piece.
In one scene, a woman asks him why he uses dating apps when he could get any girl he wants. Sameer’s reply is chilling. He calls himself a “bahut bura aur ghatiya kisam ka aadmi” (a very bad and nasty kind of person). He also admits that he only looks at photos when swiping right, without caring about age or anything else.
The trailer then takes a sharp turn. Police officers show up at his door. Sameer gets arrested after a woman played by Sapna Pabbi files a complaint against him. While in handcuffs, he keeps saying he is innocent and that someone set him up.
Sanya Malhotra plays Sameer’s sister in the film. In one quick scene, she calls him an idiot, giving a hint about the messy family drama behind the public scandal.
A large part of the movie seems to take place inside a prison. The trailer shows Sameer getting beaten by other inmates and working out alone in his cell. These images leave a strong sense of unease.
What The Film Is Really About
Bandar is written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, the same team behind hit shows like Paatal Lok and Kohrra, as well as the film Udta Punjab. The story follows Samar Mehra (Bobby Deol), a TV star whose life falls apart when his ex-girlfriend Gayatri (Sapna Pabbi) accuses him of r*pe after he stops talking to her.
Even as Samar starts a new relationship with Khushi, played by Saba Azad, he gets arrested. He then finds himself stuck in a broken legal system that seems impossible to fight against.
The films official logline says the story is inspired by true events, which adds another layer of darkness to the whole thing.
Star Cast And Release Plans
Apart from Bobby Deol, the film has a strong ensemble cast. Sanya Malhotra, Raj B Shetty, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Riddhi Sen, Jitendra Joshi, Indrajith Sukumaran, and Nagesh Bhonsle all play key roles.
The movie had its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025. It played in the Special Presentations section and got good responses from those who watched it early.
Bandar is produced by Nikhil Dwivedi under his banner Saffron Magicworks. Zee Studios is presenting the film. The movie will hit theaters on June 5, 2026.
Fans in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India can expect a worldwide theatrical release on the same date.
What Bobby Deol Said About His Role
In an official statement, Bobby Deol opened up about playing such a difficult character. He said every actor wants to try something new because audiences set an image for them, and it becomes hard to break out of that.
“I also went through it, but now I must say doing this film was totally out of my comfort zone. I kept my shyness aside and did this film shamelessly,” Deol said.
Director Anurag Kashyap also praised Deol for taking on such a risky role. In an interview, Kashyap said Deol showed complete surrender as an actor. He pointed out that Deol had seen huge success, then a quiet period, and was now getting big mainstream movies again. But he still chose Bandar because he wanted to do something different.
“He’s thinking, ‘I’ve never been asked to just be vulnerable.’ He’s so vulnerable in the film, so emotionally naked,” Kashyap said. He added that the film is full of theater actors and National Award winners, and Deol held his own against all of them.
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Early Reactions From Fans
Social media users have started sharing their thoughts on the trailer. Many are excited to see Bobby Deol work with Anurag Kashyap.
“Bobby in Anurag’s universe is something I would have never believed if I hadn’t seen this trailer.”
Another person wrote:
“Bobby Deol entering Anurag Kashyap’s gritty world sounds like pure cinematic chaos in the best way possible.”
A third user said:
“Bobby Deol is doing great these days and seeing him in Anurag Kashyap’s dark and realistic world seems perfect for him. It’s always great to see actors experiment with such different characters.”
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