Bandar (Monkey in a Cage): Anurag Kashyap’s Most Controversial Film Yet

Anurag Kashyap, India’s boldest filmmaker, is back with a bang — and this time, he’s rattling cages. His new prison drama Bandar (Monkey in a Cage) had its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, and it’s already being called his “most raw, hard-hitting, and controversial work.”

Starring Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra, the film dives deep into India’s flawed legal system, the grey areas of the #MeToo era, and the shocking realities of life inside our overcrowded prisons.

The Story Behind the Cage

Bandar follows the story of Samar (Bobby Deol), a fading television star whose life takes a dramatic turn when his ex-girlfriend Gayatri (Sapna Pabbi) accuses him of rape. What begins as a personal battle quickly spirals into a nightmare as Samar encounters India’s corrupt, overburdened judicial system that presumes guilt long before innocence can even be argued.

The title “Monkey in a Cage” is a metaphor — Samar isn’t just imprisoned physically, he’s trapped in a larger cage: a system where truth, lies, power, and manipulation collide.

Kashyap doesn’t paint in black and white here. He forces us to sit in the uneasy grey area, asking: When justice becomes delayed or manipulated, does it even remain justice?

Inspired by True Events

The shocking part? Bandar is inspired by real-life cases. Kashyap revealed at TIFF that the idea came from newspaper reports of men falsely accused or left rotting in jail without trial.

One story that haunted him was of a man who spent 32 years in prison before being declared innocent. “That’s a whole lifetime wasted,” Kashyap said.

Producer Nikhil Dwivedi brought the project to him after reading a chilling news report. Kashyap added, “There were cases where a woman, with the help of a lawyer and policeman, filed eight different cases in eight different police stations. It shook me to the core.”

Bobby Deol’s Career-Defining Performance

If Bobby Deol impressed you in Animal, get ready — Bandar is being hailed as his best performance ever.

He plays Samar with raw vulnerability, stripped of glamour or heroic swagger. At TIFF, critics praised his ability to convey helplessness, anger, and despair all at once.

Kashyap revealed a personal note: “Bobby told me there was a time he thought his career was over. From age five he knew he’d be a star, but by 40, people told him to take acting workshops. He had never learned the craft before — this role became his rebirth.”

Audiences are already calling his performance a “revelation.”

Stellar Supporting Cast

• Sanya Malhotra delivers an emotional, layered performance in a pivotal role.

• Sapna Pabbi (Gayatri) shocks with her portrayal of the woman whose accusation sets the film in motion.

• Saba Azad (Khushi) plays Samar’s new love interest, fiery and fearless.

What’s unique is Kashyap’s casting: many actors were chosen from regional theatre troupes to reflect India’s prison diversity. So you’ll see Raj B. Shetty (Kannada), Indrajith Sukumaran (Malayalam), Riddhi Sen (Bengali), and Ankush Gedam (Marathi) — making the jail a microcosm of India itself.

Realistic Prison Representation

Here’s where Kashyap’s research stands out. Did you know 77% of India’s prisoners are undertrials? That means they haven’t even been convicted but still spend years, sometimes decades, behind bars.

The movie shows:

• Overcrowded barracks where languages and cultures collide.

• Guards and lawyers exploiting loopholes for bribes.

• Inmates who’ve given up on freedom because “case hi sunwaayi nahi ho raha.”

Kashyap wanted to capture this suffocating reality — the prison as a reflection of India’s broken justice system.

Behind the Scenes: Writing & Production

Writers Sudip Sharma & Abhishek Banerjee (yes, the actor is also a writer here) crafted the script with Kashyap’s trademark grit.

The movie is produced by Nikhil Dwivedi (Saffron Magicworks), who earlier backed Veere Di Wedding and the experimental CTRL.

Filming began in May 2024 in Mumbai, shot in dingy, claustrophobic settings to reflect the suffocation of prison life. The sound design — metal doors clanging, muffled whispers, sudden silences — adds to the psychological tension.

TIFF Reception: A Standing Ovation

At TIFF 2025, Bandar premiered in the Special Presentations programme, a slot reserved for the boldest international films.

Critics wrote:

• “It leaves you disturbed, as intended.”

• “Bobby Deol reinvents himself.”

• “A film that doesn’t give answers but forces the right questions.”

Some called it Kashyap’s most daring work since Black Friday.

Social Commentary & Themes

Bandar isn’t just about one man’s case — it’s about:

• The misuse and abuse of #MeToo in India.

• Media trials and celebrity culture.

• The inhuman undertrial system.

• How laws meant to protect can be turned into weapons.

Kashyap doesn’t say who’s right or wrong. He shows how the system itself is broken, and ordinary lives are the collateral damage.

Release in India

After its TIFF success, Bandar is expected to hit Indian cinemas late 2025 or early 2026.

Given its controversial theme, expect debates, walkouts, and maybe even protests. But one thing is sure: Bandar will spark the conversations India desperately needs about justice and truth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Bandar based on a true story?

Yes. While it’s not a direct retelling, Kashyap drew inspiration from real cases, including a man who spent 32 years in prison before being declared innocent.

2. Why is the film called Bandar (Monkey in a Cage)?

The title is a metaphor. It reflects how individuals in India’s justice system are reduced to “caged animals” — trapped with little chance of fair trial or freedom.

3. What role does Bobby Deol play in Bandar?

He plays Samar, a fading TV star accused of rape, whose life unravels as he battles corrupt lawyers, endless hearings, and prison life.

4. Does Bandar take sides on the #MeToo issue?

No. The film doesn’t say who is innocent or guilty. Instead, it explores the grey zone — how laws can be both necessary and misused, and how society reacts to allegations.

5. When will Bandar release in India?

After its TIFF premiere, the film is expected in Indian cinemas in late 2025 or early 2026. OTT release details will likely follow.