- By Swati Singh
- Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s latest film, Monkey in a Cage, explores the complex intersections of India’s prison system and the #MeToo movement. Titled Bandar in Hindi, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it made its global debut. At its core, Monkey in a Cage follows the story of a fading star accused of rape, shining a light on systemic injustices, silenced voices in courtrooms, and the harsh realities of a deeply flawed legal framework.
“The idea came from a true story,” Kashyap shared. “But we obviously had to navigate very thin lines. You don’t know who’s right, who’s wrong.” He elaborated on how difficult it was to balance the narrative, citing troubling examples from real life, “There was rampant misuse of new laws — cases where one woman filed eight different cases in eight different police stations with the help of a lawyer and a policeman.”
The project first took shape when producer Nikhil Dwivedi handed Kashyap a newspaper article about a real-life case. For Dwivedi, the film was never about market positioning. “As a filmmaker, diverse stories attract me,” he explained. “This subject fascinated me. It didn’t feel like a choice — it felt necessary.”
Kashyap recalled that one particular story stayed with him for years. “One case really haunted me,” he said. “A man came out of prison after 32 years, declared innocent — but his case never even came up. That’s an entire lifetime wasted.”
The director added, “In a prison, people speak all kinds of languages, we had actors speaking Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi. The prison itself becomes a symbol of a divided, misunderstood country.”
Through Monkey in a Cage, Kashyap insists he is not seeking to pass judgment. “This film is not about declaring someone innocent or guilty,” he emphasized. “It’s about the cracks in the system, the silences in the courtroom, and the people who disappear inside them.”
Directed by Anurag Kashyap, known for cult classics like "Gangs of Wasseypur," "Black Friday," and "Ugly," brings his signature raw storytelling style to this new project. Bobby Deol, who has been experiencing a remarkable career resurgence, leads the ensemble cast alongside acclaimed actresses Sanya Malhotra, Saba Azad and Sapna Pabbi.
Producer Nikhil Dwivedi, who has backed successful films including "Veere Di Wedding" (2018) and "CTRL" (2024), continues his track record of backing unique stories. Dwivedi is also producing the upcoming fantasy drama "Naagin" starring Shraddha Kapoor. The release date of Bandar is yet to be announced.
