Indian film star Taapsee Pannu and writer-producer Kanika Dhillon are teaming up again for the Netflix original action thriller film ‘Gandhari’.
Acclaimed filmmaker Devashish Makhija, whose last film “Joram” played at several festivals including Rotterdam, Sydney, Busan, Durban and Mumbai, will direct.
“’Gandhari’ promises a compelling storyline full of ruthless determination and intense personal commitment, set against the backdrop of gripping mystery and powerful action. Audiences will see Taapsee Pannu as a fierce mother on a mission,” reads Netflix’s plot description.
This marks the second collaboration between Netflix and Dhillon’s Kathha Pictures after ‘Do Patti’.
“Gandhari” also marks the sixth instance of Pannu and Dhillon’s fruitful collaboration, which began with Anurag Kashyap’s Toronto-bending “Manmarziyaan” (2018); Netflix original film “Haseen Dillruba” (2021) and its sequel “Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba” (2024); ZEE5 Global film “Rashmi Rocket” (2021); and the Rajkumar Hirani-directed hit “Dunki” (2023), headlined by Shah Rukh Khan.
Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, director of original films at Netflix India, said: “’Gandhari’ is a gripping emotional story with heightened personal stakes. This unique action thriller is a testament to our commitment to delivering stories that are both unique and deeply engaging. We are excited to reunite with the dynamic duo of Kanika Dhillon and Taapsee Pannu, after the massive success of ‘Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba.’ Audiences have loved their work and we want them to experience the intriguing depth of this new story.”
“There is a special kind of magic that happens when Kanika and I come together to work on a film,” said Pannu. “With ‘Gandhari’ we explore new emotional depths, and I’m excited to explore this intense character. I took action nine years ago and I’ve been waiting for a script that would bring me back to the action and challenge me in new ways. After playing a spy, I was looking for something deeper, and ‘Gandhari’, with its powerful story of a mother driven by revenge, felt like the perfect fit. By working with Netflix and Kathha Pictures, we can create bold, unique and impactful stories. Working with Netflix has always been rewarding as it allows us to reach a wider audience who share our passion for filmmaking.”
Dhillon said, “After the immense love for our film ‘Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba’, starting ‘Gandhari’ with Taapsee feels like a creative homecoming. The film delves deep into the essence of a mother’s unwavering love and cruelty. Don’t mess with a tigress cub because she will destroy you! Taapsee and I are coming together for the first time for a fiery, gritty action thriller! And we’re excited to bring you this powerful story of revenge and redemption! Netflix has given us the freedom to push creative boundaries and present this story in its truest form. I am very excited that our audiences will enjoy this emotionally charged, action-packed – thrilling saga – ‘Gandhari!’ will experience.”