Gandhari Review: Taapsee Pannu's Thriller Narrates A Horrifying Story That Fails To Thrill

"In Mahabharata, Gandhari blindfolded herself for her husband; will you do that for your daughter?" This dialogue from Netflix's latest film 'Gandhari' showcases the connection between its title and the story. While Gandhari in the Mahabharata blindfolded herself for her love, devotion and sacrifice towards her husband, the film linked it to a mother's struggle for her daughter. However, there are no similarities between the two.

The movie follows serious issues like child sex trafficking, but the plot has nothing new to offer and fails to show impact. Usually, trafficking is shown through trucks, cars or even sea routes, but this time, it has been shown through tunnels.

What is the story of Gandhari?

Gandhari starts with Gokul (played by Ishwak Singh), who is travelling by train with his wife Bani (Taapsee Pannu) and their 5-year-old daughter Mishti. When he gets off at a station to buy a raw mango for his daughter, and Bani goes to the toilet at the same time, Mishti is seen standing outside and gets kidnapped. While trying to save her daughter, Mishti gets injured on her head and faints, temporarily losing her eyesight.

She pleads with the police to find her missing daughter, but she is unfortunately not taken seriously. While searching for her daughter, she meets Jhunu (played by Meeta Vashisht), who is also searching for her missing granddaughter.

The rest of the story focuses on whether Bani will find her daughter or not and what the mystery is behind the disappearance of their children.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)

Things that might bother you while watching Gandhari:

Director Devashish Makhija has tried his best to make the story and screenplay by Kanika Dhillon engaging and gripping. There are several references in the story, like Chaumukhi Maa and the demon Magrasur, which come again and again in the story. As per the legends, Magrasur kidnaps children and takes them to Patal Lok. The Chaumukhi herself descends into Patal Lok to save children, and this story has been used as a symbol of women's power in Gandhari.  

While the story progresses, you look for logic but get disappointed as several aspects are simply jarring. For instance, for how long are the children kept unconscious? Is there no risk of them dying if they are kept locked in sacks? Where do so many dead bodies come from in place of the missing children? What happens to these children?

The movie does not explore several things. Even though the angle of tribal impersonators is good, it fails to add any effect to the story.

Story Feels Awkward At Places:

Bani cannot see, but she make normal children do exercise, and the children also do not question her. Jhunu taught Bani acrobatics, then Bani teaches Jhunu action. This sequence becomes awkward to watch. Other things like the gang that traffics children are said to be powerful, but this is not reflected in the film.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taapsee Pannu (@taapsee)

The villain, Dada Bhai, is mostly shown through his eyes and dialogues. But when he appears, the fear and mystery created around him prove to be weak. It is also not clear where Swastika Mukherjee's character disappears later. Gokul's character also turned out to be a disappointment, and Bani's struggle also fails to become believable. The film's climax and the police side are also not fully explored.

Taapsee Pannu Does Justice To Her Role:

Taapsee Pannu has done many great action sequences in Gandhari, where she looks good too. Action choreography by Brahim Acchabake, Riyaz Shaikh, Habib Sai and Anees Shaikh is also praiseworthy.

However, her chemistry with Ishwak is not strong enough. Meeta Vashisht and Chhaya Kadam also do a commendable job with their characters, but the rest of the supporting cast could not become effective.

Amid the demerits of the plot, the background score by Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes is in sync with the story. Cinematographer Amit Roy has captured the small town minutely.

(Rating: 2.5/5)
Review by Smita Srivastava