Gandhari (2026) Review: A Mother's Hunt Through Masked Folklore

This Gandhari review covers a Hindi-language action drama from director Devashish Makhija, starring Taapsee Pannu as a mother in desperate pursuit. It arrived on Netflix with a simple, urgent premise and a clear emotional hook. Critics have been sharply divided on how well it delivers.

Gandhari Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Gandhari plot begins at a crowded railway station in Joypurra, a fictional town steeped in folklore and known for its masked performers. Bani's young daughter is kidnapped there, and the police offer little comfort. Bani decides to search for her herself.

Her hunt pulls her toward a hidden network of traffickers working in the shadows of the town's festive, theatrical surface. The setup mixes the pace of an action thriller with a moral question: where does the line fall between burning revenge and the need for some kind of redemption?

The film runs roughly 116 to 117 minutes, depending on the source, so it moves at a fairly brisk clip. Kanika Dhillon wrote the script and also produced. The Netflix release date was 3 September 2026.

What Works in Gandhari

The strongest element is the central idea. A parent's search for a missing child is instantly relatable, and the film uses it to point at a real social problem. NDTV's reviewer gave it 3 out of 5 and called it an arresting showcase for the most part, praising how it portrays a social truth.

A setting with texture

The town of Joypurra, with its masks and folklore, gives the film a distinct look compared with many generic revenge stories. The contrast between festival colour and criminal menace is an inviting visual angle. Makhija's earlier work suggests a filmmaker who likes to blend genre thrills with social commentary, and that ambition shows here.

A clear emotional engine

Because the goal is simple, you always know what Bani wants. That clarity keeps the action drama easy to follow, even when the plot detours. If you enjoy action movie reviews built around personal stakes, the premise will feel familiar but sturdy.

Gandhari Cast and Performances

The Gandhari cast is led by Taapsee Pannu as Bani, who carries the film as a mother pushed past fear. She has built a reputation for intense, physical roles, and the material gives her room to play both grief and fury.

The supporting players include:

• Ishwak Singh as Gokul

• Chhaya Kadam as Uma Didi

• Swastika Mukherjee as Churni Didi

• Mita Vashisht as Jhunu Amba

• Jatin Sarna as Kabir

The ensemble is full of respected names, and the women in the supporting roles add weight to the world around Bani. How much each character gets to do is another matter, and some may feel underused.

Where Gandhari Stumbles

The critical response has been harsh in places. Rotten Tomatoes lists a 17% Tomatometer from 18 reviews, and Wikipedia cites an earlier snapshot of 23% positive with an average of 4.5 out of 10. Audience scores look kinder: TMDB shows 7.4 out of 10 from 34 ratings.

The main complaints centre on the writing. The Indian Express gave it 1.5 out of 5 and called it neither impactful nor believable. Mashable India, also at 1.5, said the script offers nothing particularly new, and Koimoi, also at 1.5, called the writing pretentious.

That pattern suggests a film whose ideas are stronger than its execution. When a thriller asks you to believe in its twists of fate and its heroine's near-superhuman persistence, shaky plotting can break the spell. Expect some stretches that feel familiar or overstated.

Is Gandhari Worth Watching?

Yes, but with realistic expectations. If you are curious about the premise and a committed Taapsee Pannu performance, it is a reasonable two-hour stream, especially since it sits on Netflix with no extra cost for subscribers.

If you want a polished, original thriller, the reviews warn you may be disappointed. The split between harsh critics and warmer audience scores suggests that the emotional core can land even when the script does not. Think of it as a flawed but earnest drama with action beats.

If you like Indian thrillers and want to compare notes, our review of Maa Inti Bangaram covers another recent release. You can also check the film's details on its Wikipedia page).

Who Will Enjoy Gandhari

• Fans of Taapsee Pannu and her intense action-driven roles

• Viewers who like revenge-and-rescue thrillers with a social message

• Netflix subscribers looking for a Hindi-language thriller under two hours