Nishaanchi Movie Review: Aaishvary Thackeray Impresses, But Anurag Kashyap’s Crime Drama Falls Short

Nishaanchi Movie Review: Aaishvary Thackeray Shines in Anurag Kashyap’s Rustic Crime Drama

Anurag Kashyap, the maestro behind Gangs of Wasseypur and Black Friday, returns with Nishaanchi, a crime drama set in Kanpur in 2006. The film follows twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo (Aaishvary Thackeray), whose contrasting personalities drive a story of crime, family, and moral dilemmas. Babloo is bold and street-smart, while Dabloo is gentle and idealistic. Their mother, Manjiri (Monika Panwar), serves as the emotional anchor, balancing the brothers’ conflicting paths.

The story employs a non-linear narrative, with flashbacks to the twins’ childhood establishing their motivations and relationships. While the setup promises a layered crime saga, Nishaanchi often gets bogged down by its nearly three-hour runtime, multiple situational songs, and slow pacing. Some sequences, including bank heists and confrontations, could have been tighter to maintain narrative momentum.

Performances

Aaishvary Thackeray delivers a strong debut, convincingly portraying Babloo’s aggression and Dabloo’s innocence. Monika Panwar dominates as the principled mother, while Vedika Pinto shines as Rinku. Kumud Mishra, Girish Sharma, Viineet Kumar Singh, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub add depth, though some supporting roles feel underdeveloped.

Direction & Writing

Kashyap retains his signature style with rustic settings, authentic dialogues, and attention to small-town Kanpur’s socio-cultural nuances. However, the film leans on familiar tropes such as the “good vs. evil twin” narrative and melodramatic family conflicts, which dilute its impact.

Technical Aspects

• Cinematography: Earthy and rustic visuals capturing Kanpur authentically; lighting and color grading enhance the period setting.
• Editing: Non-linear storytelling works at times, but transitions occasionally disrupt narrative flow.
• Production Design: Sets, costumes, and props convincingly reflect 2006 Kanpur and small-town India.
• Music & Background Score: Supports tense and emotional moments, occasionally intrusive.
• Action & Choreography: Functional but realistic, fitting the story's tone.
• Sound Design: Adequate, ambient city sounds and fight sequences add immersion.

Verdict

Nishaanchi is a moderately engaging crime drama with strong performances and Kashyap’s distinct style, yet the indulgent runtime, familiar tropes, and uneven pacing hold it back. Fans of gritty, small-town crime stories will find it enjoyable, but it does not reach the heights of Gangs of Wasseypur.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆