‘Gandhari’ (2026) Netflix Movie Review - A Riveting Thriller That Nearly Loses Its Way

Gandhari might be a heavy watch, but that weight is what makes the movie one of the best that you will be seeing in a while. The plot revolves around Bani and her husband Gokul, whose daughter Mishti disappears during a train journey to West Bengal. What follows is a chase across Joypurra and a frantic search by a mother. The backdrop of Bani losing her daughter in a crowded public space is scary, not because of how it's shot, but because it is a very plausible scenario even in real life. Matters become complicated when, in the process of the chase, Bani injures herself, which leaves her temporarily sightless. She goes on to hide the fact that her vision is recovering, a strategy that helps her as the plot progresses. And that’s where all the things start to unfold. She reaches places that are dangerous, but nothing can stop her from finding her daughter.

There are many twists and turns that Gandhari will offer. These are enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. But at the same time, this is where the plot becomes predictable. Many scenes feel like we have seen them before. So if you are expecting something completely new, then no, that isn’t what you will get in this movie. There are also moments when you feel that the character development of certain characters is lacking. Bani is a well-developed character, but the rest of the characters aren’t as developed as hers. That can be a bit problematic because it leaves the plot feeling unfinished. You might be expecting more from them or see where the plot heads because of them; however, those aspects never arrive in Gandhari as they simply aren’t there. So this is a big drawback.

Another drawback is how fast the pacing of the narrative goes. Right from the start to the end, Gandhari is moving at a fast pace. While that is important, sometimes a slightly slower pace is important for us. Again, we don’t really get that. At one point, you might want to pause to understand what you saw.

But having said all this, there are good points about Gadhari too. For example, the plot, though, has its flaws, but it isn’t completely unwatchable. It does manage to keep you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next. The storytelling has so much power that it can capture your attention, especially the character of Bani. Coming to acting, the cast is the biggest benefit of the plot. Taapsee Pannu as Bani delivers a power-packed performance as a mother and in her search for her daughter amidst all the chaos of trafficking. She is supercharged in her role and pretty much one of the biggest reasons to watch the movie.

Jatin Sarna, Prashant Narayanan, Swastika Mukherjee, Ishwak Singh, and the rest of the cast, though orbiting around Pannu’s Bani, give some of the best performances that you will have watched in a great while. Their makeup is on point, which manages to impart chills to you as you watch the movie. So dear viewers, while Gandhari might not be the perfect watch, it is something that cannot be ignored because of its good aspects. All in all, it is a one-time watch.

Final Score- [6/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times