Gandhari review: Taapsee Pannu's thriller has action but lacks emotional depth

Taapsee Pannu's thriller "Gandhari," directed by Devashish Makhija, receives a mixed review with a 2.5-star rating, as the film's action sequences fail to compensate for its underdeveloped emotional core. The film follows Bani, a mother who becomes temporarily blind while searching for her abducted daughter in the fictional town of Joypurra. While the plot gains urgency when Bani takes matters into her own hands, the screenplay relies heavily on convenient plot devices and predictable character moves. Critics note the film borrows from "Kahaani" but lacks its suspense and emotional impact, with Pannu's performance praised for action scenes but criticized for failing to evoke sympathy. The climax is unnecessarily stretched, and the music's explicit lyrics detract from the narrative.