Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.5/5)
Keywords: Nishaanchi movie review, Anurag Kashyap new movie, Gangs of Kanpur review, Aishwary Thackeray debut film, Nishaanchi rating, Bollywood crime drama 2025
Nishaanchi Movie Review & Rating
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap makes a return to the gritty world of gang wars and crime sagas with Nishaanchi. Marketed as a spiritual successor to Gangs of Wasseypur, the film could easily be dubbed the Gangs of Kanpur. Unfortunately, despite the promise of raw storytelling, Nishaanchi ends up feeling watered down and tepid, lacking the verve that once made Kashyap’s crime dramas unforgettable.
Plot Summary
Set in Kanpur circa 2006, with occasional flashbacks, Nishaanchi revolves around identical twins Dabloo and Babloo (Aishwary Thackeray in a double role). Their mother Manjari (Monika Panwar) raises them after the exit of their father Jabardast Singh (Vineet Kumar Singh), a naive wrestler unable to navigate the dirty game of politics and crime.
- Babloo, hot-headed and skilled as an ace nishaanchi (marksman), gravitates toward gangs, guns, and land-for-mall mafias.
- Dabloo, softer and more balanced, tries to steer clear of the violence.
- Their lives intertwine with Rinku (Vedika Pinto), a cop (Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub), and Ambika Prasad (Kumud Mishra), who witness the unfolding chaos.
The film runs close to three hours, packed with heists, prison fights, shootouts, betrayals, and gang rivalries, but very few sequences manage to leave a lasting impact.
Performances
- Aishwary Thackeray (grandson of Bal Thackeray) makes his big-screen debut in a demanding double role. He is sincere but not entirely impactful, leaving key emotional beats underwhelming.
- Monika Panwar shines as Manjari, balancing grit and vulnerability, while her chemistry with Vineet Kumar Singh is one of the film’s highlights.
- Kumud Mishra and Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub lend credibility, but are underutilized.
What Works
- Kashyap’s Comfort Zone: The director knows small-town crime sagas inside-out, and it shows in the detailing of characters and atmospherics.
- Manjari & Jabardast’s relationship: Their dynamic offers flashes of the raw passion that Kashyap once excelled at, reminiscent of Gangs of Wasseypur.
- Earthy Dialogue: Occasional witty lines echo Kashyap’s signature black humor.
What Doesn’t Work
- Weak Screenplay: The narrative drags and lacks the urgency that made GOW a cult classic.
- Lack of Historical Weight: Unlike Wasseypur, which was deeply rooted in the coal mafia history, Nishaanchi feels detached and context-light.
- Flat Characters: Too many gangsters with flashy names (Phlunky, Puraane, Hawa Hawaai) dilute the intensity.
- Aishwary Thackeray’s Impact: Despite maximum screen time, his performance does not elevate the film.
Final Verdict
While Nishaanchi tries to revive the gritty flavor of Kashyap’s earlier works, it fails to capture the crackling energy of Gangs of Wasseypur. With its overlong runtime and lack of memorable moments, it comes across as a diluted version of Kashyap’s best work.
The hope now rests on the sequel (Part 2) — will it bring back the sharpness and firepower that made Kashyap’s name synonymous with cult crime dramas?
Nishaanchi Cast: Aishwary Thackeray, Monika Panwar, Vedika Pinto, Kumud Mishra, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, Vineet Kumar Singh
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.5/5)
