Bandar ZEE5 Global premiere arrives on August 28, 2026, bringing Anurag Kashyap’s psychological crime drama starring Bobby Deol to viewers worldwide.
MUMBAI: Bobby Deol’s latest film is heading to streaming, with the Bandar ZEE5 Global premiere confirmed for August 28, 2026. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the Hindi psychological crime drama also stars Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Indrajith Sukumaran, Raj B. Shetty and Jitendra Joshi.
Produced by Saffron Magicworks and Zee Studios, Bandar follows Samar Mehra, a once-popular television star whose life changes dramatically after a former partner accuses him of rape. The allegation leads to intense media attention, public scrutiny and a legal battle, with the story examining how perceptions can form before a case reaches its conclusion.
The film explores themes surrounding consent, accusation, justice, media trials and the consequences of public judgement. Rather than presenting the subject as straightforward, Kashyap’s film is positioned as a psychological drama examining different perspectives and the complexities surrounding allegations and due process.
Bobby Deol said the role pushed him “completely out of my comfort zone”, describing the experience of working with Kashyap as both challenging and liberating. The actor said he had to trust the filmmaking process and immerse himself fully in the character.
Kashyap said the story attracted him because of its willingness to explore difficult questions and “look beyond black-and-white narratives”. He also praised Deol’s performance, highlighting the vulnerability and intensity the actor brought to the character.
The Bandar ZEE5 Global release adds another prominent title to Deol’s recent screen work while placing him at the centre of a performance-driven drama. Sapna Pabbi plays Gayatri, a character whose actions help set the central story in motion, while Malhotra described the film as one that encourages audiences to consider situations from different perspectives.
The streaming platform says the film forms part of its strategy of backing stories that examine complex social themes. With Kashyap behind the camera and an ensemble cast supporting Deol, Bandar is expected to draw attention from audiences interested in crime dramas and socially driven psychological thrillers.
Impact to expect
The global streaming release could expand the audience for Bandar beyond India while generating interest around Bobby Deol’s transformation and Anurag Kashyap’s return to provocative social storytelling. Its sensitive themes are also likely to encourage discussion around justice, perception, consent and responsible public judgement.
