Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar, starring Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi and Saba Azad, will premiere exclusively on Hindi Zee 5 on August 28, 2026. The crime drama explores accusation, public perception, media scrutiny and justice through a provocative #MeTooForMen perspective.

A Bold Crime Drama on Accusation and Justice

Hindi Zee 5 is set to stream Bandar, a psychological crime drama directed by Anurag Kashyap, from August 28. Produced by Saffron Magicworks and Zee Studios, the film follows Samar Mehra, a once-popular television actor whose life collapses after he is accused of rape by a former partner. As the allegation sparks media outrage, public judgment and a damaging legal battle, Samar finds himself fighting not only the accusation but also a society that appears to have reached its verdict before the truth is established. The film examines themes of consent, power, justice, perception and the consequences of media trials.

Bobby Deol Leads a Powerful Ensemble Cast

Bobby Deol plays Samar Mehra in what the makers describe as one of his most transformative performances. The film also stars Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Indrajith Sukumaran, Raj B. Shetty and Jitendra Joshi in important roles. Kashyap said he was drawn to the story because it explores uncomfortable grey areas rather than presenting the issue in simple black-and-white terms. He praised Deol for bringing vulnerability and intensity to the character and said the film asks audiences whether people are truly willing to listen before judging.

Actors Reflect on the Film’s Challenging Themes

Bobby Deol said Bandar pushed him far outside his comfort zone and required him to surrender completely to Kashyap’s unconventional storytelling approach. Sapna Pabbi, who plays Gayatri, described her character as layered, unpredictable and emotionally demanding, while praising the creative freedom she received during the film. Sanya Malhotra said the story encourages viewers to examine situations from different perspectives and raises questions that stay with audiences after the film ends. Together, the performances aim to give the drama emotional weight beyond its controversial central premise.

A Conversation-Driven Streaming Premiere

Rather than treating its #MeTooForMen theme as a simple reversal of familiar narratives, Bandar positions itself as a film about the cost of accusation, public perception and being judged before being heard. The makers say the film blends suspense, emotional drama and social commentary while asking difficult questions about fairness, empathy and truth. With Anurag Kashyap at the helm and Bobby Deol leading an accomplished ensemble cast, Bandar is positioned as one of Hindi Zee 5’s more provocative releases. The film will stream exclusively on the platform from August 28, 2026.