Archive · 16 Nov 2025
Nishaanchi Review: A Conventional Tale of Sibling Rivalry Misses the Mark
Imagine two twin brothers who are exactly alike but act very differently.
One is bold and gets into trouble, while the other is quiet and stays in the background.
This movie is about their lives, a failed bank robbery, and a love triangle involving a woman named Rinku.
The director, Anurag Kashyap, tries to make it feel like old Bollywood movies but it ends up being a bit too predictable.
While some actors do a good job, the story itself isn't very exciting and feels a bit too long.
It's supposed to be about how they are so different, but the movie doesn't fully explain why.
It has some funny moments and talks about how movies influence us, but it doesn't quite stand out.
The film 'Nishaanchi' (Shooter) by Anurag Kashyap tells the story of identical twins, Babloo and Dabloo, in 2006 Kanpur.
The plot involves a failed bank robbery, ambition, revenge, and mild sibling rivalry, with both twins falling for the same woman, Rinku.
While smoothly crafted and well-acted by the ensemble cast including Monika Panwar and Kumud Mishra, the film is considered conventional and predictable.
The movie draws heavily from classic Bollywood conventions and films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur' but lacks their distinctive eccentricities and humor.
Despite its strengths in performance and craft, 'Nishaanchi' is criticized for being exposition-heavy and ultimately missing its mark with its themes of doubling and rivalry.
- Who
- Identical twins Babloo and Dabloo, Babloo's girlfriend Rinku, Ambika Prasad, Jabardast, Manjari, and Police Inspector Kamal Ajeeb.
- What
- A drama about two brothers divided by temperament and their love for the same woman, centering on a failed bank robbery, ambition, revenge, and sibling rivalry.
- When
- The story is set in 2006, with the film implied to be released in 2025.
- Where
- Kanpur, India.
- Why
- To explore themes of ambition, revenge, sibling rivalry, and the influence of classic Bollywood cinema.
Film's Strengths
Film's Weaknesses
Craftsmanship and Performance
Film's Strengths
The film is smoothly crafted and deftly performed, with standout performances from Monika Panwar and Kumud Mishra, and a surprising debut from Aaishvary Thackeray.
Film's Weaknesses
Despite its craftsmanship, the film is conventional, predictable, and exposition-heavy, ultimately missing its mark.
Influence and Originality
Film's Strengths
The film incorporates classic Bollywood conventions and meta-asides about cinema's influence, drawing from a rich tradition.
Film's Weaknesses
It feels like a pale shadow of more distinctive films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur,' lacking eccentric characters, parodic humor, and anarchic sensibility, making its themes of doubling feel like contrivances.
- Film Title
- Nishaanchi (Shooter)
- Director
- Anurag Kashyap
- Release Year
- 2025 (implied)
- Setting
- Kanpur, 2006
- Genre
- Drama, Sibling Rivalry, Crime
- Runtime
- 176 minutes
- Key Actors
- Aaishvary Thackeray, Vedika Pinto, Kumud Mishra, Viineet Kumar Siingh, Monika Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub
Sources
Anurag Kashyap: 'If A Star Wants To Work With Me, They Have To Leave Their Stardom At Home' - EXCLUSIVE
Anurag Kashyap Says Bollywood 'Can Never Be United', CLARIFIES His AI Comment On Chiranjeevi Hanuman - 'It's Unethical' | EXCL
Why Anurag Kashyap 'Decided To Step Away' From OTT After Delivering Hits - Exclusive
Anurag Kashyap Opens Up About 'Toxicity' In Bollywood Says 'It Can Never Be United',
Anurag Kashyap Recalls Casting Sushant Singh Rajput For Nishaanchi: Waited So Much Because I Didn't...- Exclusive
Nishaanchi movie review: Watered down and tepid, Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Kanpur lacks verve
‘Nishaanchi’ review: Anurag Kashyap imitates himself
‘Richa Chadha resented me, said Gangs of Wasseypur role ruined her career’: Why Anurag Kashyap warned Nishaanchi actor
