The team behind Bandar has formally set May 22, 2026 as the date for its worldwide theatrical rollout. The film, fronted by Bobby Deol and directed by Anurag Kashyap, arrives after generating early momentum on the festival circuit and among industry watchers tracking Kashyap’s return to hard-edged socio-legal storytelling.
Penned by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, the screenplay adapts an unpublished story by Kashyap. The filmmaker reunites with Sharma, a collaborator known for layered crime dramas, further fuelling expectations of a morally complex narrative anchored in systemic critique. The project is produced by Nikhil Dwivedi and backed by Zee Studios.
Festival Launch and Global Rollout
Bandar premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 under the Special Presentation category, marking its first major international showcase ahead of its commercial release. The festival reception positioned the film as a conversation starter, particularly for its subject matter and tonal shift in Bobby Deol’s recent body of work.
The official release announcement was accompanied by a new poster and a concise message from the makers, “See you at the movies on 22nd May 2026.”
Plot: Fame, Allegation and a Corrupt System
At the centre of the story is Samar, a once-celebrated television actor portrayed by Bobby Deol. His public image is already in decline when his personal life spirals into crisis. As he begins a new relationship with a younger woman, Khushi, his former partner Gayatri attempts to re-enter his life. Samar chooses to sever contact- a decision that triggers a far graver fallout.
Gayatri levels a rape allegation against him, leading to his arrest and incarceration. The narrative then shifts focus to the machinery of a compromised legal system that appears intent on prolonging his confinement. Positioned as a courtroom and character-driven drama, Bandar explores themes of public perception, masculinity, power, and institutional rot.
Ensemble Cast
Beyond Deol, the film features a diverse ensemble including, Sanya Malhotra, Raj B. Shetty, Jitendra Joshi, Sapna Pabbi, Indrajith Sukumaran, Riddhi Sen, Nagesh Bhosle. The makers have kept character specifics under wraps, but the casting signals a performance-heavy ensemble rather than a conventional star-led vehicle.
Box Office Context
In India, Bandar will release alongside Tera Yaar Hoon Main, directed by Milap Zaveri and starring Aman Indra Kumar, Akanksha Sharma and Paresh Rawal. However, given the stark genre difference, a socio-legal drama versus a more commercial entertainer- industry observers do not anticipate a direct box-office collision.
Bobby Deol’s Expanding Slate
For Bobby Deol, Bandar represents a strategic diversification following mainstream successes such as Animal and Kanguva. In 2026, he is also set to appear in Jana Nayagan and Alpha, part of the YRF Spy Universe, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari.
With its festival pedigree, politically charged premise, and a lead actor navigating the fragile intersection of celebrity and scandal, Bandar positions itself as one of the more provocative Hindi releases slated for 2026.