Taapsee Pannu’s latest film Gandhari arrived on Netflix on September 3, 2026. The movie follows a mother who loses her eyesight while trying to rescue her kidnapped daughter. Critics have shared their thoughts, and the response is a mix of praise for the actor’s performance and disappointment with the film’s execution.
What is Gandhari About?
Gandhari tells the story of Bani, played by Taapsee Pannu, a mother whose five-year-old daughter Mishty gets abducted from a train in the fictional town of Joypurra, West Bengal. While trying to save her child, Bani suffers a severe injury that leaves her temporarily blind. Her husband Gokul, played by Ishwak Singh, joins her in the search, but the local police show little interest in helping.
As more girls go missing in the town, Bani decides to take matters into her own hands. She navigates the dangerous streets of Joypurra, a place where everyone seems to be hiding something, to find her daughter. The film also features Jatin Sarna as a police officer investigating the case, along with Swastika Mukherjee, Chhaya Kadam, and Mita Vashisht in key supporting roles.
What Critics Are Saying
The Hindustan Times review gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5. The review notes that while the movie has the right ingredients for an emotional thriller, it fails to bring them together effectively. The reviewer points out that the film expects viewers to feel the mother-daughter bond before actually showing one. For the first 30 minutes, the relationship feels functional rather than lived in.
“Gandhari has the ingredients of an emotionally charged thriller, but fails to bring them together.”
Times Now also awarded the film 2.5 stars. The review states that Devashish Makhija’s direction struggles with tonal inconsistency and weak emotional depth. The film tries to pack too many ideas into its runtime without enough emotional weight to support them.
The Action Works, But Emotions Fall Short
Many critics agree that the action sequences are where Gandhari shines. Taapsee Pannu handles the physically demanding role well and delivers convincing fight scenes. The NDTV review mentions that her combat skills have improved, and the action sequences are the most enjoyable parts of the film.
However, the emotional core of the story does not land as strongly. The Cinema Express review points out that for a film that promotes itself as an emotional drama, Gandhari does not build its characters enough. The narrative remains plot-driven rather than character-driven. This lack of emotional connection is a major drawback for a story about a mother’s love and determination.
“In its labyrinth of complex world-building and too many people from all strata of life, what remains missing is our emotional anchoring with Bani.”
The Times of India review, which also gave 2.5 stars, compares the film to Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani. While Kahaani drew power from atmosphere and restraint, Gandhari keeps reaching for bigger moments without earning them. The writing tries to include every thriller trope possible, but these elements compete with each other rather than enriching the story.
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Supporting Cast Stands Out
While Taapsee Pannu leads the film, several supporting actors have received special mention. Swastika Mukherjee makes a strong impression with her quiet, ambiguous performance that adds a disquieting quality to the thriller. Chhaya Kadam and Mita Vashisht bring gravitas even with limited screen time.
The NDTV review notes that while people might come to Gandhari for Taapsee Pannu, they will stay for the performances by Chhaya Kadam and Mita Vashisht.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
Viewer reactions on X (formerly Twitter) have been mixed since the film’s release. One user rated the film 2 stars, praising the concept but criticizing the execution. Another viewer compared the film to the Mardaani franchise and noted that while the initial portions feel familiar, the film becomes interesting about 30 minutes in.
Some viewers appreciated the film’s focus on child trafficking, calling it a relevant topic. However, many agreed that the overall execution does not fully work.
The Plagiarism Controversy
Before its release, Gandhari faced plagiarism allegations. A Mumbai-based writer claimed that the film’s makers used elements from his work. The production house Kathha Pictures, along with writer-producer Kanika Dhillon, denied these claims, stating that the film is an original work. Netflix also defended the film’s originality publicly.
Also Read: Taapsee Pannu’s Netflix Film ‘Gandhari’ Faces Copyright Dispute; Makers Deny Plagiarism Claims
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