Director - Anurag Kashyap 
Cast - Aaishvary Thackeray, Monika Panwar, Vedika Pinto, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Kumud Mishra, Vineet Kumar Singh, Javed Khan
Duration – 177 Minutes
 
Ever sat down at a dinner table filled with such a dizzying variety of delicacies that you’re not quite sure where to start — and by the time you’re done, you feel uncomfortably overstuffed? That’s precisely the experience “Nishaanchi” offers. Anurag Kashyap’s latest, a sprawling crime saga set in Kanpur, packs drama, humor, romance, action, and some truly standout performances, but by the nearly three-hour mark, it can feel like a feast that’s become too rich to digest comfortably.
 
The film kicks off powerfully with an atmospheric scene in 2006 Kanpur, where the haunting sound of the azaan intertwines with temple bells. It’s pure Kashyap magic — a sensory signature that immediately grounds you in his complex, chaotic world. From there, we meet twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo, played with striking contrast by debutant Aaishvary Thackeray. Babloo is the brash, reckless outlaw inspired by Scarface’s Tony Montana, while Dabloo is the calm, saint-like counterpart. Their stories intertwine with Rinku (Vedika Pinto), a gutsy kathak dancer fallen on hard times, and their tangled relationships set the plot whirring.
 
The narrative is ambitious and non-linear, filled with flashbacks that pull us back to when Babloo and Dabloo weren’t even born. It vividly paints the lives of their parents — Manjiri, a strong-willed shooter, and Jabardast Singh, a frustrated wrestler — whose dreams have been crushed by bitter politics and betrayal. Kumud Mishra’s Ambika Prasad stands out as the scheming antagonist whose shadow looms large over the family’s fate. Through these layers, Kashyap crafts a world that feels both lived-in and mythic, steeped in the grime and pulse of small-town India.
 
The film shines brightest in its performances. Aaishvary Thackeray effortlessly morphs between Babloo’s swagger and Dabloo’s softness, making both equally compelling. Vedika Pinto’s Rinku burns bright, bringing an electrifying presence and fearless charm. Monika Panwar as Manjari and Vineet Singh as Jabardast deliver grounded yet powerful portrayals, imbuing the flashbacks with emotional heft. Their chemistry, especially, and the familial tensions they embody feel authentic and deeply felt.
 
Kashyap infuses “Nishaanchi” with his signature humor and local color, drawing on the rich dialect and cultural idiosyncrasies of Uttar Pradesh. The dialogues crackle with wit and wisdom, from sharp one-liners to moments of profound reflection. Yet despite this vibrancy, some sequences linger too long, and the romantic subplot, while heartfelt, sometimes stretches the film’s length unnecessarily.
 
Visually, the film captures the grit and chaos of Kanpur with a cinematic eye that’s both unflinching and poetic. The twin interactions are flawlessly executed, avoiding the usual awkwardness, and the soundtrack pulses with the eclectic energy that has become a Kashyap hallmark. However, the near three-hour runtime can test even the most patient viewers with its uneven pacing and indulgent narrative detours.
 
Ultimately, “Nishaanchi” is a bold, albeit flawed, return to form for Anurag Kashyap. It’s messy, sprawling, and unapologetically indulgent — a cinematic kheer full of unexpected flavors, some sweeter than others. The film’s emotional core, strong performances, and immersive world-building pull audiences through its excesses. Kashyap teases a sequel, and if the momentum continues, the next installment could well sharpen this ambitious epic into an unforgettable saga. For now, “Nishaanchi” is essential viewing for those who crave raw, restless storytelling with a fierce heart.