Introduction
Nishaanchi immerses audiences in Kanpur of the mid-2000s—a world brimming with hope, violence, loyalty, and betrayal.
Babloo, the bolder twin, steers towards crime and ambition, while the quieter Dabloo grapples with his conscience and loyalty to family.
Their lives collide with Rinku, a Kathak dancer who struggles with her own hardships.
Following a botched bank heist, the film delves into their complicated pasts, family secrets, and a treacherous quest for power that triggers cycles of violence and redemption.
Kashyap’s storytelling is deliberate and multi-layered; the narrative unspools like a gritty novel, full of colorful characters and the moral ambiguities that define human nature.
Cast and Release Details, Platform
Aaishvary Thackeray as Babloo & Dabloo (dual role)
Vedika Pinto as Rinku
Monika Panwar as Manjiri (mother)
Vineet Singh as Jabardast Singh (father)
Kumud Mishra as Ambika Prasad
Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub in a pivotal role
Directed by Anurag Kashyap, Nishaanchi released theatrically across India on September 19, 2025, produced by JAR Pictures & Amazon MGM Studios.
It’s currently running in cinemas and is set for later OTT release. The twin lead narrative and Kashyap’s knack for blending violence with human drama keep viewers hooked, despite some lengthiness and familiar tropes.
What is in the Movie?
Nishaanchi follows twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo, alike in looks but not in outlook. Babloo’s reckless criminal path clashes steadily with Dabloo’s more timid morality.
Their destinies entwine with Rinku, a Kathak dancer fallen on hard times. After a failed bank heist, Babloo lands in jail, and the film plunges back in time to reveal family secrets—an embittered mother, a wrestler father whose dreams die young, and a scheming mentor who steers Babloo toward darkness.
Betrayals, shifting alliances, and loss define their journey, as brotherhood is repeatedly tested.
Kashyap also sprinkles earthy humor, emotional warmth, and moments that humanize even the darkest characters.
What Works
Atmosphere & Setting: Kanpur comes alive as a character in itself—the city’s dialects, music, and daily drama are woven masterfully into the story, lending deep authenticity.
Dual Lead Performance: Aaishvary Thackeray makes both twins vivid and distinct, anchoring the film’s emotional tension in his debut.
Supporting Cast: Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, and Kumud Mishra deliver powerful, nuanced performances, enriching even minor roles.
Generational Scope: The story traverses decades, connecting the consequences of old betrayals to the present action.
Dark Humor & Realism: Kashyap balances violence and drama with comic relief and genuine emotion, keeping the mood textured but never monotonous.
What Doesn’t Work
Long Runtime: At nearly three hours, certain sequences drag and the pace slackens at times.
Familiar Tropes: Some plot twists echo Kashyap’s earlier works, which may feel repetitive to fans of his crime dramas.
Underdeveloped Side Characters: While memorable, a few characters remain thinly sketched, leaving their arcs less impactful.
Melodrama: There are moments where emotional intensity tips into cliché or feels excessive, reducing suspense in places.
Final Thoughts
Nishaanchi is a rough-edged portrait of family, crime, and human nature, thriving on Kashyap’s mastery of creating real worlds and powerful moral dilemmas.
The twin brother narrative is engaging, and their journey—riddled with betrayal, loyalty, and redemption—shows the struggle between fate and self-determination.
Performances by both leads and a host of supporting characters keep the drama grounded and visceral. While the film could have been tighter and somewhat more innovative, it remains a strong entry in Kashyap’s filmography and a treat for fans of layered crime sagas.
For those drawn to movies that interlace gritty realism with emotionally fraught stories, Nishaanchi delivers a compelling ride into the heart of India’s underbelly—and the souls of its characters.
