On September 7, 2025, during the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada, director Anurag Kashyap premiered his gritty prison drama Bandar (Monkey in a Cage), starring Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra. Produced by Nikhil Dwivedi, the film, inspired by true events, explores the #MeToo movement’s fallout and India’s flawed justice system, featuring an ensemble including Saba Azad, Sapna Pabbi, and theater actors like Riddhi Sen and Indrajith Sukumaran. Selected for the Special Presentations category, its world premiere drew a standing ovation, captivating audiences and critics amid TIFF’s lineup of 17 Indian films.
A Bold Dive into Systemic Injustices
Bandar follows Samar, a fading TV star accused of rape by his ex-girlfriend Gayatri after a fallout, thrusting him into a corrupt prison where 77% of inmates await trials that may never come. Kashyap, known for unflinching tales like Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), co-directed with Sakshi Mehta, and collaborated with writer Sudip Sharma (Paatal Lok), drawing from real misuse of laws, such as one woman filing multiple cases across police stations. The 140-minute film, shot in recreated prisons with 120 theater actors for linguistic diversity, was emotionally taxing, with Kashyap telling Variety, “Everyone had breakdowns; it was traumatic.” Deol’s “emotionally naked” performance as Samar, without a script until shoot day, marks his redemption post-Animal (2023).
The Premiere Buzz and Human Stakes
At TIFF, Bandar received acclaim for its raw realism, with Kashyap sharing on Instagram, “Couldn’t be happier to present #Bandar with my fabulous team.” Deol, in an intense poster look, captioned it “The story that should not have been told,” sparking 2 million views. Sanya Malhotra’s role as a key figure in the #MeToo narrative adds depth, reflecting women’s agency in a patriarchal system. For Deol, a 56-year-old actor reviving his career, the film is personal; he told, “Anurag pushed me to be vulnerable.” The premiere, alongside screenings of Sholay’s 4K restoration and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, highlighted Indian cinema’s global surge, with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey praising its “unflinching gaze.”
A Global Launchpad for Indian Grit
As Bandar eyes a late 2025 or early 2026 Indian release, its TIFF debut positions it for Oscars buzz, following The Kashmir Files’ path. Kashyap, who skipped Cannes for TIFF’s broader reach, told Variety, “This film deserves champions worldwide.” In a ₹101 billion industry dominated by blockbusters, Bandar challenges norms, questioning, “Can raw stories like this break Bollywood’s formula?” With Deol’s comeback and Malhotra’s rising star, the film’s TIFF acclaim signals Indian cinema’s bold evolution, bridging gritty realism with universal appeal.
-By Manoj H