Nishaanchi (2025) [Film Review]: Anurag Kashyap’s Dark, Detailed Return to Crime Territory

Movie Name: Nishaanchi

Director: Anurag Kashyap

Writers: Ranjan Chandel, Anurag Kashyap, Prasoon Mishra

Stars: Aaishvary Thackeray, Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Kumud Mishra, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, and more.

Rating: ★★★⯪☆ (3.5 / 5)

Quick Snapshot — What to expect

A slow-burning, atmospheric crime saga

Anurag Kashyap’s Nishaanchi is a sprawling, Kanpur-rooted crime drama that trades big-screen fireworks for patient world-building. Clocking close to three hours, it’s a mood-driven first chapter that sets up a larger family-and-feud epic.

Story & Setting — Roots over rush

Twins, a failed heist, and a town that feels alive

The film follows twins Babloo and Dabloo (both played by Aaishvary Thackeray) whose lives implode after a botched bank job, drawing them and Rinku (Vedika Pinto) into a vortex of betrayal, local politics, and simmering revenge. Kashyap turns Kanpur into a character—dialect, lanes and local color are woven into every scene—making the location as integral as the plot.

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Performances — New energy, dependable menace

A standout double act and a solid ensemble

Aaishvary Thackeray impresses in a challenging double role, differentiating Babloo’s recklessness from Dabloo’s timidity with surprising nuance. Vedika Pinto brings quiet strength to Rinku, avoiding victim clichés. Kumud Mishra’s Ambika Prasad is quietly threatening, and the supporting roster (including Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub and Monika Panwar) adds texture even in brief scenes.

Direction & Tone — Familiar terrain, fresh detail

Kashyap returns to his comfort zone — with care

There are echoes of Gangs of Wasseypur—the generational vendetta, the local specificity—but Nishaanchi establishes its own voice through patient detail, dark humor, and an emphasis on small moments. Kashyap’s eye for authenticity and his fondness for sprawling casts are on full display, making the film feel lived-in even when plot momentum dips.

Flaws — Pacing and payoff

Length and loose threads that demand patience

The nearly three-hour runtime tests the film’s endurance; there are stretches where the deliberate pace drags. As Part One of a longer arc, several plot strands are left dangling, and musical choices fail to leave a lasting impression. A tighter second half would have sharpened the impact.

Technicals — Craft that elevates

Production values that ground the story

Cinematography and production design convincingly recreate small-town North India, and the film’s sound and local detail heighten immersion. Costume and casting choices add authenticity, helping the narrative breathe even when it slows.

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Verdict — A promising but heavy first chapter

A must-watch for Kashyap fans; patience rewarded

Nishaanchi is an accomplished, character-rich crime drama that confirms Kashyap is back in control of his milieu. It’s not a quick thrill—it's pleasures are cumulative—but for viewers who appreciate texture, performance, and a carefully built world, Part One offers plenty to anticipate. Expect Part Two to be decisive: if Kashyap sustains this momentum, the sequel could lift the whole enterprise to greater heights.