Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar to Hit Screens on May 22 with Bobby Deol in Lead

The filmmaker returns to his signature gritty style with a Uttar Pradesh-based action drama that has already generated strong advance buzz.

Anurag Kashyap is closing the month of May with Bandar, an action-drama-thriller starring Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra. The film releases on May 22, 2026, and marks Kashyap’s return to the crime genre after a gap of three years.

Bobby Deol Plays the Antagonist

According to industry sources, Bobby Deol portrays a ruthless strongman operating out of a small town. Sanya Malhotra plays a police officer tracking his network. The title Bandar (Monkey) is reportedly a code name used by the criminal syndicate in the story.

Filmed in Real Locations

The crew shot extensively in Lucknow and surrounding rural belts. Kashyap has avoided studio sets for action sequences. A unit member disclosed that local dialects and casting add authenticity to the narrative.

Anurag Kashyap Remains Silent

The director has not given any press interviews yet. His production company issued a brief statement: “Bandar completes post-production. The team is confident.” Trade watchers interpret this silence as a deliberate hype-building strategy.

Pre-Sales Already Strong

Single-screen owners in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have reported unusual advance inquiries. One distributor told this portal: “Kashyap’s core audience is loyal. They book tickets without trailers.” The official trailer is expected on May 1.

Closes the May Release Window

Bandar arrives after four other major releases. By May 22, Raja Shivaji and Ek Din will be in their fourth week. Aakhri Sawal will be in its third week. Pati Patni Aur Woh Do will be in its second week. Screen allocation will depend entirely on first-week performances of earlier titles.

 What the Director Has Said Previously

In a 2024 interview, Kashyap had mentioned wanting to make “a raw, unforgiving action film without songs.” Bandar reportedly has no item numbers or romantic duets. The runtime is said to be under two hours, which is unusual for the genre.

The sequel to the controversial 2023 blockbuster has ignited fresh debates over forced conversions, religious symbolism, and creative freedom just days before its theatrical debut.

The trailer for 'The Kerala Story 2' dropped on February 17, and within hours, the controversy machine was running at full throttle again. The sequel to the 2023 surprise hit is now facing intense backlash over specific scenes, political condemnation, legal challenges, and a very public war of words between its director and Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

Set to release in theatres on February 27, the film arrives amid familiar yet heightened tensions surrounding its predecessor's core themes of religious conversion and radicalisation.

What Sparked the Latest Controversy?

The trailer's most contentious moment involves a scene where a character is allegedly pressured to eat beef—a sequence critics argue is designed to portray a particular community negatively while reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

Supporters of the film, however, defend the scene as symbolic storytelling meant to depict the character's internal conflict and transformation. Given that beef consumption remains one of India's most politically and culturally sensitive topics—deeply intertwined with religious identity—the sequence has become ground zero for the current debate.

Political Leaders Speak Out

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had previously criticised the original film's narrative, has reiterated his concerns. State leadership argues that such portrayals unfairly target Kerala's image and promote misinformation about the region's social fabric.

"We cannot allow cinema to become a vehicle for distorting reality and damaging the harmonious coexistence that defines our state," a statement from the Chief Minister's office read, echoing sentiments expressed during the first film's release in 2023.

Bollywood's Divided House

Anurag Kashyap Calls It Propaganda

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap didn't mince words when addressing the project. He openly questioned the intention behind revisiting such sensitive themes, suggesting the sequel crosses the line from storytelling into propaganda territory.

Kamakhya Narayan Singh Fires Back

Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh hit back at Kashyap's criticism, alleging that the acclaimed filmmaker has a problem with everything that doesn't align with his worldview. The exchange has split the film fraternity, with some supporting creative freedom while others worry about mainstreaming divisive content.

Actor Prakash Raj also weighed in, expressing concern that such narratives are becoming increasingly mainstream without encouraging meaningful dialogue between communities.

Legal Trouble Brewing

A petition has reportedly been filed in the Kerala High Court seeking cancellation of the censor certificate granted to the film. Petitioners question whether the Central Board of Film Certification adequately evaluated the potential impact on public harmony before clearing the project for release.

The legal challenge argues that the film could incite tension and disturb law and order in an already sensitive communal environment. Activists contend that given India's current social climate, films dealing with religion and extremism must be handled with greater responsibility.

The Original's Shadow Looms Large

To understand the current backlash, one must revisit 'The Kerala Story' (2023). The original film claimed to depict women from Kerala who were allegedly converted and recruited by ISIS. Its teaser initially stated that 32,000 women had gone missing and joined the terror group—a figure that triggered immediate outrage.

Political leaders and fact-checkers pointed out there was no verified data supporting such a massive claim. Following criticism, the makers modified their description, reducing focus to three women and calling it a "fictionalised account inspired by true events." The Supreme Court eventually allowed its release but mandated a disclaimer clarifying it was a fictionalised story without confirmed data.

The Bigger Debate: Freedom vs Responsibility

The controversy surrounding 'The Kerala Story 2' has reignited a fundamental question that refuses to go away:

Should filmmakers have complete creative freedom, or should stricter scrutiny apply when films touch upon religion and national security?

Supporters of the film call it bold and necessary storytelling that addresses uncomfortable truths. Critics label it divisive and dangerous, arguing that dramatised storytelling influences public perception and creates mistrust between communities.

Where exactly is the line between raising awareness and pushing an agenda? That's the question audiences, activists, and policymakers are grappling with as the February 27 release date approaches.

What Happens Next?

The film's ultimate impact may depend on how audiences interpret it once it hits theatres. But one thing is certain: 'The Kerala Story 2' has already succeeded in becoming more than just a movie. It's now a flashpoint in India's ongoing conversation about politics, freedom of expression, media narratives, and social harmony.