Reuniting Pannu with writer-producer Kanika Dhillon (Haseen Dillruba, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba) and directed by acclaimed indie filmmaker Devashish Makhija (Joram, Bhonsle), the film casts Taapsee in one of the most physically demanding roles of her career as a fierce mother on an unstoppable mission.
Plot Premise: The Search for a Daughter in Joypurra
Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a fictional town named Joypurra, Gandhari blends raw, hard-hitting hand-to-hand combat with a deeply emotional core:
The Narrative: Taapsee portrays Bani, an ordinary mother whose life is upended when her young daughter goes missing.
Against All Odds: Pushed beyond her limits, Bani enters a brutal, dangerous underworld where every corner presents a deadly threat, confronting extreme obstacles and personal sacrifice to track down he
"With Gandhari, we wanted to tell the story of a woman who refuses to be defined by her circumstances. Bani's journey is raw, relentless and deeply personal... Reuniting with Taapsee once again has been incredibly special — there is a deep creative trust and understanding that we have built over the years."
— Kanika Dhillon, Writer & Producer
Ensemble Cast & Creative Pedigree
Produced under Dhillon’s banner Kathha Pictures in collaboration with Netflix, Gandhari brings together a critically acclaimed supporting ensemble:
Cast / Crew Name Profile / Key Works Lead Protagonist Taapsee Pannu Thappad, Badla, Dunki, Haseen Dillruba Key Supporting Lead Ishwak Singh Rocket Boys, Pataal Lok, Berlin Supporting Ensemble Chhaya Kadam All We Imagine As Light, Laapataa Ladies, Madgaon Express Supporting Ensemble Swastika Mukherjee Qala, Paatal Lok, Jaane Jaan Supporting Cast Mita Vashisht & Jatin Sarna Sacred Games, 83, Criminal Justice Director Devashish Makhija National & International Festival winner for Joram and Bhonsle
Taapsee's Return to Hardcore Action
While Taapsee previously showcased her action chops in espionage thrillers like Baby (2015) and Naam Shabana (2017), Gandhari shifts away from tactical spy training into raw, instinctive survival combat fueled by maternal love:
Describing the project, Netflix India's Director of Original Films, Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, noted: "Gandhari is a bold, emotionally charged action thriller that turns a mother's love into a force—fierce, instinctive, and impossible to ignore."
Trade Verdict:
The creative combination of Kanika Dhillon's gripping pulp writing, Devashish Makhija's grounded cinematic realism, and Taapsee Pannu's intense dramatic screen presence makes Gandhari a major highlight for Netflix's September 2026 Indian original slate.
