Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari trailer introduces a mother who loses her vision while searching for her kidnapped daughter. The Netflix action-thriller has also faced copyright allegations ahead of its release.
ENTERTAINMENT — The trailer of Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari was unveiled on August 25, 2026, offering a first look at an intense story centred on a mother’s search for her missing daughter. The film, written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and directed by Devashish Makhija, is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3.
Key Highlights
- The Gandhari trailer follows Bani, played by Taapsee Pannu, after her daughter disappears from a train.
- Bani loses her vision but undergoes training as she continues the search and begins her own investigation.
- The film has attracted copyright allegations from writer Kalyan Bandi, while Kanika Dhillon’s production banner has rejected the claims.
Gandhari trailer sets up a mother’s search
The trailer opens with the disappearance of Bani’s daughter from a train. The mystery expands when the story suggests that the girl may have been kidnapped along with other young girls.
Bani subsequently loses her vision, adding another challenge to her search. Rather than abandoning the investigation, she trains herself and begins pursuing the case independently in the fictional town of Joypurra.
The trailer presents Taapsee’s character as an active participant in the investigation, with the actor shown confronting people involved in the mystery despite her loss of eyesight. The action-driven presentation positions the film as a thriller built around a mother’s determination to find her daughter.
Taapsee Pannu leads an ensemble cast
Alongside Taapsee Pannu, Gandhari features Ishwak Singh, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Chhaya Kadam in pivotal roles. Devashish Makhija has directed the film, while Kanika Dhillon has handled both writing and production.
The combination of a missing-child investigation, Bani’s personal transformation and the action elements forms the central premise revealed in the trailer.
Gandhari faces copyright allegations before release
The film has also become the subject of a copyright dispute ahead of its Netflix release. Writer Kalyan Bandi has alleged that the film has similarities to a story he said he pitched in 2019.
Bandi said he had contacted Netflix India content head Monika Shergill through LinkedIn and later sent her the story after being asked to share it by email. According to his account, he was subsequently told that the project would not work for the platform and that he could pitch it elsewhere.
He later claimed that he continued pitching the story and that a studio agreed to develop it as a theatrical project in late 2023. Bandi said he was surprised when Netflix India announced its own Gandhari project in September 2024.
Kanika Dhillon’s production house denies plagiarism claim
Kanika Dhillon’s production banner, Kathha Pictures, has strongly rejected the allegations. The production house said the film was independently developed and that both its story and screenplay were written by Dhillon.
“These allegations are false, and we deny them unequivocally.”
The makers also urged media organisations and audiences not to present the allegations as established facts. Bandi, meanwhile, said he had taken legal steps over the matter and had sent a legal notice alleging copyright infringement.
Gandhari release date on Netflix
Despite the dispute surrounding its reported similarities, Gandhari remains scheduled for release on Netflix on September 3. The trailer has established the film’s central conflict around Bani’s missing daughter and her decision to continue the search after losing her eyesight.
Gandhari | Official Trailer | Taapsee Pannu | Netflix India
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Gandhari release on Netflix?
Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari is scheduled to release on Netflix on September 3, 2026.
Who directed Gandhari?
Devashish Makhija directed the film, which was written and produced by Kanika Dhillon.
What is Gandhari about?
The film follows Bani, whose daughter disappears from a train. After losing her vision, Bani trains herself and begins investigating the disappearance.
Why is Gandhari facing copyright allegations?
Writer Kalyan Bandi has alleged similarities between the film and a story he said he pitched in 2019. Kathha Pictures has denied the allegations and described the film as an original work.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Editor at The Nation Bulletin. With over 3 years of experience in digital journalism and news reporting, he covers national affairs, governance, and breaking current events with a commitment to factual accuracy and verified reporting.
