Bandar – Monkey in a Cage: A Close Look at Anurag Kashyap’s Latest Thriller

Introduction

Bollywood thrives on big emotions, larger-than-life scenarios, and stories that tug on societal nerve‐centres. In recent years, filmmakers have increasingly turned towards gritty realism, legal and sociocultural commentary, and stories inspired by real events. Bandar (Monkey in a Cage), directed by Anurag Kashyap, is one such film. Slated to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, Bandar promises to be a legal‐drama / crime‐thriller that delves deep into themes of fame, culpability, justice, and societal hypocrisy.

With a strong cast including Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, and others, and a screenplay by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, it’s built on the scaffolding of nuanced performances and a dark, realistic world. In this article we’ll explore Bandar’s background, themes, storytelling, characters, what makes it stand out, potential strengths & weaknesses, and its likely place in Indian and global cinema.

Background & Genesis

The Team and Inspiration

• Director: Anurag Kashyap, known for films that often explore the darker, messier side of life (drugs, crime, power, marginal lives). His visual style often merges gritty realism with psychological complexity.
• Writers: Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, both of whom have built reputations for doing layered work. Their engagement suggests Bandar is not just about surface thrills but deeper interrogation.
• Cast: Bobby Deol is playing the protagonist, Raj Malhotra, a fading TV star. Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad play key roles, with the character of Gayatri (Sapna Pabbi) being central to the conflict.

Real‐Life Event Roots

The film is “inspired by a real‐life event.” The precise case or event is not fully disclosed in public sources yet, but such inspiration tends to shape how moral ambiguities are presented. The filmmakers likely want to use the “real‐case” gravitas to interrogate power, consent, celebrity culture, and the shortcomings of the judicial system.

Production & Release

• Production: Started around mid‐2024 in Mumbai.
• Runtime: Approximately 140 minutes.
• Language: Hindi, along with Marathi and English portions.
• First Showing: Premiered in “Special Presentations” at TIFF in 2025.

Plot Overview

Here is a broad sketch of the storyline. There will be some spoilers later in the discussion; if you prefer to avoid them, skip ahead.

Premise

Raj Malhotra (Bobby Deol) is a TV star whose popularity is slipping. He is in a relationship with a younger woman, Khushi (Saba Azad), trying to move forward with life. His ex, Gayatri (Sapna Pabbi), returns in his life, brings with her accusations — specifically, she accuses him of rape. Raj tries to block contact, cut ties, but Gayatri’s accusation sets off a legal battle. The film explores how the legal system, media, public perception, and Raj’s own internal conflicts all collide.

Conflict

The conflict is multi‐layered:

1. Personal vs Public Persona: Raj’s fading celebrity status, his attempt to preserve dignity, his past, and how allegations affect him.
2. Legal System vs Morality: How the justice system handles sexual assault allegations, especially when the accused is a public figure.
3. Media & Public Opinion: How stories are shaped or twisted once they reach the public, rumors, the effect of blocking vs confronting.
4. Inner Psychological Struggle: Raj’s internal guilt, pride, fear, defense mechanisms. Gayatri’s trauma, her persistence, her resolve.

Structure & Key Moments

Though all details are not fully public, from the plot summary and early reports, the film likely works through:

• Introduction of characters and their status (Raj, Khushi, Gayatri)
• Inciting incident: the accusation, the initial response and fallout
• Rising tension: legal maneuvers, public pressure, media scrutiny
• Climax: trial / confrontation / reveal of truths or hypocrisy
• Resolution: how justice or closure does or does not happen; the personal cost

Themes and Ideas

Bandar is rich with thematic potential. Here are the major ones.

1. Fame, Decline, and the Celebrity Machine

The film looks at what happens when a celebrity begins to lose power or relevance. Raj’s fading stardom is central — how does that affect his decisions, his emotional reserves, his desperation? When fame fades, the protection it offers may shrink, and accountability becomes sharper.

2. The Power of Consent, Memory, and Truth

Accusations of rape often hinge on consent, memory, and interpretation. Gayatri’s accusation suggests conflict not just of fact but of perception and power. How is truth established? What role does testimony play? Does society or the law privilege male privilege, fame, or silence?

3. Justice, Law, and Corruption

As in many Kashyap films, institutional failure is likely a theme. The system may be shown as slow, biased, manipulated by power, or compromised by public opinion. Which ideals stand? Which falter?

4. Fear, Shame, and Vulnerability

Raj being “emotionally naked” (as Kashyap says) suggests vulnerability, exposure. One’s reputation, shame, fear of collapse are major emotional forces. Gayatri’s side brings trauma, the courage to speak, burden of being believed or not believed.

5. Hypocrisy and Societal Perceptions

Often society places accused and accuser in binary boxes, imposes moral judgments before facts, uses gossip and rumor. The film seems set up to challenge those perceptions.

Style, Direction & Cinematic Choices

Given Anurag Kashyap’s consistent style in his filmography, certain expectations arise, and Bandar seems to aim to fulfill them (while possibly pushing boundaries further).

1. Visual Tone & Atmosphere

• Likely gritty, realistic settings: television studios, courtrooms, media houses, small personal spaces.
• Probably a muted or stark palette when dealing with Raj’s decline or public scrutiny; contrast during flashbacks, personal reveals.
• Cinematography by Saiyed Shaaz Rizvi suggests someone capable of balancing tight shots for psychological tension and broader visual atmospheres for public vs private life.

2. Narrative Structure

• Nonlinear or interspersed flashbacks / memories (Raj’s past relationship with Gayatri, genesis of accusations) may be used.
• Media montage, courtroom scenes that build tension.
• Possibly ambiguous endings or partial resolutions (i.e. realism over closure).

3. Performances & Characterization

• Bobby Deol is suggested to be “emotionally naked,” which implies deep internal performances, small gestures, breakdowns, confrontations.
• Support performances from Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad are expected to be layered; each character likely carries moral complexity rather than being pure victims or villains.

4. Music, Sound, Editing

• The mood will rely heavily on editing (for tension), cinematography, perhaps sound design that highlights silence, public noise, gossip.
• Music scores likely to underscore emotional peaks (accusation, court, breakdowns).

Early Reception & Controversy

Even before its wide release, Bandar has been generating buzz—and, as often with Kashyap’s work, controversy.

• Many reports call this possibly his most raw, intense, and most controversial film yet.
• Bobby Deol is being praised for taking physical, emotional risk in portraying Raj. Kashyap calls him “emotionally naked”.
• The story being inspired by real events (especially sexual assault accusations) means the film engages in a sensitive territory. Audiences may be divided, particularly around how the accuser’s perspective is handled, how blame or guilt is depicted, how the justice system is shown.

Potential Strengths

Here are aspects where Bandar may shine, based on what’s known so far.

1. Bold Subject Matter: Stories about powerful people and allegations are always hard to pull off without falling into clichés, but when done with care, they can be impactful.
2. Strong Cast: Bobby Deol’s resurgence (and critics observing his choices lately) is well‐timed. The supporting cast is capable.
3. Realism & Relevance: Given present‐day conversations about “#MeToo”, power, consent, the film is likely to resonate with audiences both in India and globally.
4. Direction from Kashyap: His track record suggests willingness to push boundaries, to expose uncomfortable truths.
5. Screenplay team: With Sharma & Banerjee, there’s a strong base for nuanced storytelling.

Potential Weaknesses / Pitfalls

No film is perfect, and ambitious ones often face challenges. Some possible pitfalls Bandar might encounter:

• Over-exposition: Legal dramas can get bogged down in procedure unless balanced with character.
• One‐sided portrayal: If the film leans too much to sympathy for one side or frames the narrative in black & white, it might lose moral complexity or credibility.
• Public reception sensitivity: Because topics like rape accusations are highly charged, missteps in portrayal (tone, victim treatment, victim blaming, etc.) could lead to backlash.
• Pacing: Keeping tension for 140 mins is difficult; the film will need strong pacing, editing to avoid sagging in the middle.
• Predictability: Genre tropes are familiar; the film must find fresh ways to surprise or subvert expectations.

Comparative Context

To understand Bandar in context, it helps to compare it with both Kashyap’s previous work and other recent Indian films addressing similar social/legal themes.

• Films like Pink, Article 15, Mulk, Section 375 have navigated law, power, social justice. Bandar may be compared in terms of how it handles legal nuance, public perception, victim vs accused.
• Kashyap’s own films (e.g. Gangs of Wasseypur, No Smoking, Dev.D, Ugly) have often pushed into moral grey zones. Bandar continues that inclination, potentially with even more immediate social stakes.
• The presence of journalism or media in Indian cinema, especially in crime/legal dramas, is increasingly common; Bandar has opportunity to critique that element well.

Spoiler Discussions / Predictions

Below are speculative thoughts and mild spoilers (only based on plot summary, not full viewing).

• Gayatri’s accusations: There may be a flashback revealing details of what happened (consent, misunderstanding, manipulation).
• Public vs private truth: Likely there are “hidden” elements—past misbehavior, power dynamics Raj ignored.
• Court scenes & verdict: Perhaps not a clean “justice served” resolution; more likely ambiguity, personal cost, emotional toll.
• Character arcs: Raj may be forced to confront his own culpability, or come to terms with what he has been ignoring. Khushi’s role could offer the emotional counterpoint, exploring what it means to love someone under societal judgement.
• Ending: Could be bittersweet. Raj might be acquitted legally but condemned socially; or he may pay a moral or reputational price regardless of verdict. Gayatri might find some agency or recognition, but perhaps not full “closure”.

Why Bandar Matters

• Cultural conversation: India is still grappling with how society treats sexual assault, consent, fame, and media trial. Films like Bandar force conversations, bring nuance.
• Actor’s reinvention: For Bobby Deol, this film seems pivotal. Choosing emotionally vulnerable roles over superficial ones helps create a career resurgence of depth.
• Art & responsibility: Filmmakers have social responsibility, especially when inspired by real events. Accurate, empathetic portrayals matter.
• International visibility: Premiering at TIFF gives the film global exposure. It could pave way for more Indian films that do not purely lean commercial but combine relevance + artistry.

Challenges Ahead & Reception Hurdles

While there is excitement, Bandar will face significant challenges:

• Censorship / certification: Indian films dealing with sexual politics often hit hurdles with CBFC or other regulatory bodies. Scenes may be modified or toned down.
• Audience readiness: Some Indian audiences prefer escapist cinema; heavier social‐legal dramas can face apathy or backlash if perceived as too grim or judgmental.
• Critical scrutiny: Given its subject, critics will scrutinize its handling of consent, portrayal of the victim, male introspection. Any misstep could amplify criticism.
• Balancing dramatization vs sensationalism: The film must avoid sensationalizing trauma for shock value; empathy is key.

What Bandar Could Achieve

If it succeeds in its goals, Bandar could become:

• A benchmark in Indian court/legal/social drama — similar to Pink.
• A turning point in how Bollywood handles the ethics of storytelling around allegations, justice, and the public eye.
• A launching pad for more mainstream films that don’t shy away from uncomfortable truths.
• Prestigious recognition in film festivals and awards, both domestic and international.

Conclusion

Bandar (Monkey in a Cage) is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated Indian films of late 2025 / early 2026. With Anurag Kashyap at the helm, a talented cast, strong screenplay writers, and a premise grounded in real life and powerful themes, it has all the ingredients of a meaningful, possibly transformative film.

More than just a thriller, Bandar promises to probe at questions many prefer to skirt: What happens when power shifts? When public image is fragile? When truth, consent, and memory clash? When justice is delayed or compromised? And what is the price, personal and societal, of silence or speaking up?

As audiences, we can hope that Bandar delivers on its promise: to not only entertain, but to unsettle, to provoke, to reflect, and to stay with us. It may not offer tidy resolution — perhaps that’s part of its power. Because sometimes, in real life, rough edges, ambiguity, and pain are the things that demand our attention the most.