'Bandar' has been making headlines ever since its release. However, now the question is whether the film is anti-MeToo, and here's what the makers have said so far.
Bobby Deol and Anurag Kashyap have collaborated on a project that has made headlines. Bandar, released on June 5, 2026, stars Bobby in a key role and is directed by Anurag. The film follows the story of a fading television actor whose life is upended when a shocking accusation is made against him. Almost forgotten by the entertainment world, the TV actor is once again the centre of attention following sexual assault accusations. While many have misinterpreted the subject, the film has faced severe backlash on social media. However, the question still remains: is the Bobby Deol starrer actually anti-women? And does the film have any relation to the Me Too movement?
Bobby Deol starrer Bandar revolves around an arrogant, flawed and ageing actor who has almost disappeared from the screens. However, things take a turn for the worse when false sexual assault allegations are made against him by his ex-girlfriend. The story of Bandar begins with the ex-girlfriend, 'Gayatri', wanting to return to the actor's life.
However, Bobby's character, 'Samar Mehra', doesn't want anything to do with her and even avoids interacting with her, blocking her from everywhere. Desperate for closure from her past, an enraged 'Gayatri' files a sexual molestation and rape case against him, leading to his immediate arrest. The case leads the actor to attempt to prove his innocence, which is anything but easy.
The story of Bandar follows the tale of a false case against an innocent actor. On the other hand, the movement "Me Too" is all about giving a voice to its victims. Hence, the two don't share any links with each other. However, these are two social issues that can occur simultaneously. Even Bandar's director, Anurag Kashyap, has reacted to the claims during an interview with Screen and explained that Me Too is about someone in power misusing their position for personal gain. He was quoted as saying:
"MeToo is about power, somebody using a position of power to do something. This film has nothing to do with that kind of power play, or that kind of sexual angle, so it has nothing to do with MeToo."
Meanwhile, talking on The Newshour at 9 on Times Now, Nikhil Dwivedi, the producer of the film, Bandar, also reflected on the plot of the film. He shared that the film is not against women and even mentioned the ongoing high-profile case of the death of Twisha Sharma. He asserted the film is not "anti-women" and is simply "pro-justice". He concluded by sharing that no one is suggesting that women haven't been wronged by society, but rather just suggesting that things can happen despite gender. He was quoted as saying:
"Our film is not against women. Whatever is happening with Twisha, we have been observing it too. It’s unfortunate. It needs to be investigated. If there is a crime involved, people need to be punished. This is not an anti-women film, it’s a pro-justice film. We have to understand that nobody is saying, please don’t believe women when they have been wronged."
The "Me Too" movement is a social movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault. It gained global attention in 2017 when many women shared their experiences in the workplace using the hashtag #MeToo, exposing abuse by powerful individuals in industries such as entertainment, media, politics, and business.
Bandar is a crime thriller that marks the first collaboration between Bobby Deol and Anurag Kashyap, making it one of the more intriguing projects for audiences who enjoy intense, character-driven cinema. The movie was released in theatres on June 5, 2026.
What are your thoughts on Bandar? Let us know.
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